Eden Winters's Blog, page 25
July 14, 2015
Ode to a Stranger
The year was 1979, I was far from home, didn't fit in, was homesick and ill. My refuge was a local park not far from where I was staying. My favorite picnic table shielded me from the world I'd grown tired of dealing with at the ripe old age of seventeen, behind a cluster of bushes and trees.
I'd lie on my table, dreaming of better times, as much of the future as I could imagine--miss my home.
That's when I met... him.
I guess "met" is a bit of an overstatement, for I never even saw him, nor he me, but his mere presence was a comfort.
On the other side of my shield of trees I'd hear him. First the warm up, the inevitable throat clearing, and then he'd play his guitar and sing. Every few minutes he'd stop mid-sentence, and in my mind's eye I saw him scribbling on a notepad. Then he'd start again, sometimes from the beginning, sometimes the line he'd just sung. I never heard voices or signs of others with him, and during the week the park was pretty much deserted except for a homesick teenage girl and an aspiring singer/songwriter.
He gave me something to look forward to on my morning walks, in a time when I needed something, anything positive to cling to. Would he be there today?
I never dared to interrupt him by making myself known. Besides, he'd come to the park for privacy. Was I wrong to eavesdrop?
Then days went by, and weeks when my health kept me from the park. I recovered and moved away, and I'd never once laid eyes on my favorite musician.
And he never signed an autograph for his biggest fan.
So to the young man who practiced his songs in a park in Milton, Florida thirty-six years ago, I hope that I've heard you on the radio, maybe even seen you on TV. Who knows, maybe I've bought your CDs. I certainly hope so, and I hope you made it big.
You never know what kind of impact you can have on others without realizing. A smile, holding the door, a kind word... or a song.
To a stranger--well, maybe not a stranger, after all, I was privy to some of his deepest thoughts though his music--thank you.
I'd lie on my table, dreaming of better times, as much of the future as I could imagine--miss my home.
That's when I met... him.
I guess "met" is a bit of an overstatement, for I never even saw him, nor he me, but his mere presence was a comfort.
On the other side of my shield of trees I'd hear him. First the warm up, the inevitable throat clearing, and then he'd play his guitar and sing. Every few minutes he'd stop mid-sentence, and in my mind's eye I saw him scribbling on a notepad. Then he'd start again, sometimes from the beginning, sometimes the line he'd just sung. I never heard voices or signs of others with him, and during the week the park was pretty much deserted except for a homesick teenage girl and an aspiring singer/songwriter.
He gave me something to look forward to on my morning walks, in a time when I needed something, anything positive to cling to. Would he be there today?
I never dared to interrupt him by making myself known. Besides, he'd come to the park for privacy. Was I wrong to eavesdrop?
Then days went by, and weeks when my health kept me from the park. I recovered and moved away, and I'd never once laid eyes on my favorite musician.
And he never signed an autograph for his biggest fan.
So to the young man who practiced his songs in a park in Milton, Florida thirty-six years ago, I hope that I've heard you on the radio, maybe even seen you on TV. Who knows, maybe I've bought your CDs. I certainly hope so, and I hope you made it big.
You never know what kind of impact you can have on others without realizing. A smile, holding the door, a kind word... or a song.
To a stranger--well, maybe not a stranger, after all, I was privy to some of his deepest thoughts though his music--thank you.
July 8, 2015
News About Redemption
Redemption (Diversion #5) is now in the hands of my editor, and I'm optimistic about an August publish date.
In the past some reviewers have asked for less case, and more relationship, while others want more case, less relationship. The first group will be thrilled to know that Redemption will be character driven, rather than action driven, and will definitely see Bo and Lucky jump a few hurdles in their relationship.
The loose ends of their last case will be tied up, and Victor fans will finally get answers.
On a sad note, Redemption is not a standalone work, and it's not very likely that a reader will be able to pick up this book and understand what's happening without prior knowledge.
That said, I'd like to leave you with a snippet from the upcoming novel:
***
Dr. Bright-eyes cut off Lucky’s latest evasion. “Mr. Harrison. I can’t help you if you won’t let me. You’ve been coming here for weeks now and we haven’t even discussed the issue that brought you here.” Twenty more minutes of this week's torture session, give or take. Good thing Lucky’d stopped wearing a watch. Time checking every ten seconds prolonged the torture, watched pots and all.
Well, if the doctor wanted him to talk, he’d give her an earful. Starting with his name. “Lucklighter.”
“Excuse me?”
“Lucklighter. Richmond Eugene Lucklighter. That’s my name.” Once upon a time, a million years ago. “But folks call me Lucky.”
The therapist peered over the top of her glasses. “Your chart says Simon Harrison.”
“Anybody hunting me knows where I am. No use hiding behind a fake name no more.”
The therapist shrugged, her expression vacant. “Okay, Mr. Lucklighter.”
“Lucky, call me Lucky.”
“Okay, Lucky. Tell me what I need to know to help you.”
Where to start? When did his life go to hell? “I was a punk kid, fresh off the farm. Stole cars and resold them. I stole the wrong one and wound up with a choice: work for a crime boss or disappear.” On his knees, staring up at Victor Mangiardi for the first time, ready to kiss his ass goodbye. Victor let him live, gave him a job, shared his home and bed, and later, planned a life for them. If he’d gotten his way, even now they might be basking on a beach somewhere, enjoying the high life.
But then Lucky wouldn’t have Bo.
“I found myself on his payroll and in his bed for the next few years. He trafficked drugs until we got busted.”
No surprise, no squirming. The therapist simply regarded Lucky with casual interest as she had through all their unsuccessful visits.
“I testified against Victor in court, and for years I thought he’d killed himself after the judge handed down life sentence. Now, I’m not sure what happened. Turns out his nephew put a hit on him. There’s a chance he made a deal with DEA and is still alive.” Damn, South Bend Springs, soap opera extraordinaire, had nothing on the twists and turns of Lucky’s life.
“Are Victor and his nephew why you’re using an assumed name?”
“Partly, them and others. I made a deal too. The judge gave me ten years. I spent two in prison, then got recruited to work off the other eight with the SNB, rounding up folks like me, and sharing the tools of my old trade.” Patient old Walter always treated him like any other member of the team, even turning a blind eye to Lucky’s cockiness.
No, that wasn’t right. Walter set Lucky apart, but never treated him as less. He expected more of Lucky because Lucky was capable of more. Plain and simple. Funny how these things just now occurred to him.
“I did my time, my boss arranged a fake death, and now I’m Simon Harrison. I met my partner on assignment. You remember me telling you about Bo, right?”
One side of the woman’s mouth twitched, the closest she’d come to a smile all afternoon. “You might have mentioned his name a time or two, along with Cyrus Cooper’s.”
Two thousand might be more accurate. “Yeah. Well, he’s more than my work partner.”
Not a flinch from the doctor. Her upper lip curled into the barest hint a smile. “I guessed that part.”
She had? “How?”
“I deal with law enforcement personnel daily, Mr. Har—Lucky. While I’m used to them praising their partners, they rarely wax poetic.”
Wax poetic? Lucky? “I do not!” Well maybe. Sometimes. Gotta watch that. But in talking about Bo, he didn’t have to talk about himself. “He’s getting a hold on Cyrus. Still acts like him from time to time, but is more of himself lately. Going undercover as someone else for a year plays hell with your mind.”
“I’m glad he’s doing better. You’ve made it clear how much his well-being is important to you. You were telling me about your past, and how you met. What brought you here? Why did the department send you?”
“Oh, yeah.” So much for stalling. “Anyhow, Victor’s asshole nephew dragged me and Bo to Mexico, and I killed a man, so here I am.” Lucky rolled his shoulders and stared at the woman who’d turned showing no emotion into an art form. “Bet you wish hadn’t asked.”
***
Stay tuned for a cover reveal, real soon.
In the past some reviewers have asked for less case, and more relationship, while others want more case, less relationship. The first group will be thrilled to know that Redemption will be character driven, rather than action driven, and will definitely see Bo and Lucky jump a few hurdles in their relationship.
The loose ends of their last case will be tied up, and Victor fans will finally get answers.
On a sad note, Redemption is not a standalone work, and it's not very likely that a reader will be able to pick up this book and understand what's happening without prior knowledge.
That said, I'd like to leave you with a snippet from the upcoming novel:
***
Dr. Bright-eyes cut off Lucky’s latest evasion. “Mr. Harrison. I can’t help you if you won’t let me. You’ve been coming here for weeks now and we haven’t even discussed the issue that brought you here.” Twenty more minutes of this week's torture session, give or take. Good thing Lucky’d stopped wearing a watch. Time checking every ten seconds prolonged the torture, watched pots and all.
Well, if the doctor wanted him to talk, he’d give her an earful. Starting with his name. “Lucklighter.”
“Excuse me?”
“Lucklighter. Richmond Eugene Lucklighter. That’s my name.” Once upon a time, a million years ago. “But folks call me Lucky.”
The therapist peered over the top of her glasses. “Your chart says Simon Harrison.”
“Anybody hunting me knows where I am. No use hiding behind a fake name no more.”
The therapist shrugged, her expression vacant. “Okay, Mr. Lucklighter.”
“Lucky, call me Lucky.”
“Okay, Lucky. Tell me what I need to know to help you.”
Where to start? When did his life go to hell? “I was a punk kid, fresh off the farm. Stole cars and resold them. I stole the wrong one and wound up with a choice: work for a crime boss or disappear.” On his knees, staring up at Victor Mangiardi for the first time, ready to kiss his ass goodbye. Victor let him live, gave him a job, shared his home and bed, and later, planned a life for them. If he’d gotten his way, even now they might be basking on a beach somewhere, enjoying the high life.
But then Lucky wouldn’t have Bo.
“I found myself on his payroll and in his bed for the next few years. He trafficked drugs until we got busted.”
No surprise, no squirming. The therapist simply regarded Lucky with casual interest as she had through all their unsuccessful visits.
“I testified against Victor in court, and for years I thought he’d killed himself after the judge handed down life sentence. Now, I’m not sure what happened. Turns out his nephew put a hit on him. There’s a chance he made a deal with DEA and is still alive.” Damn, South Bend Springs, soap opera extraordinaire, had nothing on the twists and turns of Lucky’s life.
“Are Victor and his nephew why you’re using an assumed name?”
“Partly, them and others. I made a deal too. The judge gave me ten years. I spent two in prison, then got recruited to work off the other eight with the SNB, rounding up folks like me, and sharing the tools of my old trade.” Patient old Walter always treated him like any other member of the team, even turning a blind eye to Lucky’s cockiness.
No, that wasn’t right. Walter set Lucky apart, but never treated him as less. He expected more of Lucky because Lucky was capable of more. Plain and simple. Funny how these things just now occurred to him.
“I did my time, my boss arranged a fake death, and now I’m Simon Harrison. I met my partner on assignment. You remember me telling you about Bo, right?”
One side of the woman’s mouth twitched, the closest she’d come to a smile all afternoon. “You might have mentioned his name a time or two, along with Cyrus Cooper’s.”
Two thousand might be more accurate. “Yeah. Well, he’s more than my work partner.”
Not a flinch from the doctor. Her upper lip curled into the barest hint a smile. “I guessed that part.”
She had? “How?”
“I deal with law enforcement personnel daily, Mr. Har—Lucky. While I’m used to them praising their partners, they rarely wax poetic.”
Wax poetic? Lucky? “I do not!” Well maybe. Sometimes. Gotta watch that. But in talking about Bo, he didn’t have to talk about himself. “He’s getting a hold on Cyrus. Still acts like him from time to time, but is more of himself lately. Going undercover as someone else for a year plays hell with your mind.”
“I’m glad he’s doing better. You’ve made it clear how much his well-being is important to you. You were telling me about your past, and how you met. What brought you here? Why did the department send you?”
“Oh, yeah.” So much for stalling. “Anyhow, Victor’s asshole nephew dragged me and Bo to Mexico, and I killed a man, so here I am.” Lucky rolled his shoulders and stared at the woman who’d turned showing no emotion into an art form. “Bet you wish hadn’t asked.”
***
Stay tuned for a cover reveal, real soon.
July 4, 2015
And Now For Something Different: Eden Winters Writes Menage
As I'm mentioned in my posts, I constantly strive to grow as an author, and a dear friend recently helped with that by challenging me to write erotica.
I tried, really I did, but I'm a romance writer at heart, so I couldn't help leaning toward that theme. However, I should warn readers that my new novella will feature a non-monogamous couple who, for fun or to establish dominance in their shifter hierarchy, play with others, both together and alone.
I don't have an exact publish date, but look for A Bear Walks Into a Bar to release sometime this month. This is the first installment in a planned four-part series: Owned by the Biker Bear. And I love the cover, created by the incomparable P.D. Singer.
It takes one strong alpha with a tight grip to keep a mountain full of shifters under control. Sawyer Ballantine’s contending with an uppity wolf leader and a herd of shifter elk bound and determined to take over. He might be the lone bear on the mountain, but he’s not going to allow another four shifters to just move in, especially not when they whiff of power. They’ll either be his in all ways, or they’ll be gone.
Dillon, Jerry, Kevin, and Brad have no one but each other since their shifter groups kicked them out. The young bear, wolves, and fox make a merry ménage, pooling their meager shifter skills and serving beer. They’ve stumbled into more than they understand, caught in the dispute between the Urso of Ballantine Mountain and the elk. But winter’s setting in, and they don’t know how to keep Dillon safe for hibernation.
And then a bear walks into their bar.
I tried, really I did, but I'm a romance writer at heart, so I couldn't help leaning toward that theme. However, I should warn readers that my new novella will feature a non-monogamous couple who, for fun or to establish dominance in their shifter hierarchy, play with others, both together and alone.
I don't have an exact publish date, but look for A Bear Walks Into a Bar to release sometime this month. This is the first installment in a planned four-part series: Owned by the Biker Bear. And I love the cover, created by the incomparable P.D. Singer.
It takes one strong alpha with a tight grip to keep a mountain full of shifters under control. Sawyer Ballantine’s contending with an uppity wolf leader and a herd of shifter elk bound and determined to take over. He might be the lone bear on the mountain, but he’s not going to allow another four shifters to just move in, especially not when they whiff of power. They’ll either be his in all ways, or they’ll be gone.
Dillon, Jerry, Kevin, and Brad have no one but each other since their shifter groups kicked them out. The young bear, wolves, and fox make a merry ménage, pooling their meager shifter skills and serving beer. They’ve stumbled into more than they understand, caught in the dispute between the Urso of Ballantine Mountain and the elk. But winter’s setting in, and they don’t know how to keep Dillon safe for hibernation.
And then a bear walks into their bar.
Aillil and Malcolm Speak Italian!
I'm thrilled to announce that Duet, or rather, Duetto, is now on Dreamspinner Press's Coming Soon page, and will release on July 21.
I decreti di un conquistatore non possono separare Aillil Callaghan dal suo retaggio scozzese. Indossa con orgoglio il tartan del suo clan – ora proibito – aspettando il giorno in cui diventerà Laird, restaurando così il buon nome della sua famiglia e combattendo per liberare la Scozia dalla tirannia inglese. Un inglese nella sua casa? Un abominio! Eppure, il tutore che suo padre ha assunto per i suoi fratelli può avere qualcosa da insegnare anche all’erede dei Callaghan.
Il violinista e letterato Malcolm Byerly ha lasciato il Kent spinto dalla paura, cercando solo un impiego tranquillo, menti curiose a cui insegnare e un luogo ove mantenere celati i suoi segreti. Non sa che tra i suoi studenti vi sarà anche il fratello maggiore dei ragazzi – un barbaro che odia gli inglesi – e che il suo tartan rosso e verde nasconde un cuore affine. Il comune amore per la musica rompe le barriere tra due mondi.
Il padre di Aillil minaccia il loro amore, ma un pericolo più grande li divide. I due svaniscono nella leggenda.
Due secoli dopo, il violinista Billy Byerly arriva a Castle Callaghan e si sente stranamente a casa. Le leggende parlano di un Laird perduto che infesta il castello in attesa del ritorno del suo amante, ma Billy non crede alle leggende, ai fantasmi, o all’amore che dura oltre la vita.
Il Laird perduto, però, sa cosa gli appartiene.
Find Duetto at Dreamspinner Press.
I decreti di un conquistatore non possono separare Aillil Callaghan dal suo retaggio scozzese. Indossa con orgoglio il tartan del suo clan – ora proibito – aspettando il giorno in cui diventerà Laird, restaurando così il buon nome della sua famiglia e combattendo per liberare la Scozia dalla tirannia inglese. Un inglese nella sua casa? Un abominio! Eppure, il tutore che suo padre ha assunto per i suoi fratelli può avere qualcosa da insegnare anche all’erede dei Callaghan.
Il violinista e letterato Malcolm Byerly ha lasciato il Kent spinto dalla paura, cercando solo un impiego tranquillo, menti curiose a cui insegnare e un luogo ove mantenere celati i suoi segreti. Non sa che tra i suoi studenti vi sarà anche il fratello maggiore dei ragazzi – un barbaro che odia gli inglesi – e che il suo tartan rosso e verde nasconde un cuore affine. Il comune amore per la musica rompe le barriere tra due mondi.
Il padre di Aillil minaccia il loro amore, ma un pericolo più grande li divide. I due svaniscono nella leggenda.
Due secoli dopo, il violinista Billy Byerly arriva a Castle Callaghan e si sente stranamente a casa. Le leggende parlano di un Laird perduto che infesta il castello in attesa del ritorno del suo amante, ma Billy non crede alle leggende, ai fantasmi, o all’amore che dura oltre la vita.
Il Laird perduto, però, sa cosa gli appartiene.
Find Duetto at Dreamspinner Press.
June 29, 2015
Bo and Lucky Now Speak French!
Diversion is now available in French from MXM Bookmark:
LLes dealers de drogue ne sont pas toujours dans les rues ; parfois ils sont assis derrière des bureaux ou dans des salles de conférence, vendant leur marchandise dans des flacons pharmaceutiques au lieu de petits sachets de cellophane.
Quand on lui donne le choix entre passer huit années de plus en prison ou utiliser son « expertise » pour assister le Service de Contrôle et de Prévention du Détournement du Bureau des Narcotiques du sud-est, le trafiquant de drogue Richmond « Lucky » Lucklighter n'hésite pas et choisit la proposition qui lui laisse une certaine illusion de liberté.
Cynique et peu disposé à admettre qu’il a commencé à se soucier de son travail, il compte les jours avant que sa dette ne soit payée. Le seul obstacle avant de récupérer sa vie est le bleu qu’on l’a chargé de former avant de partir ; un bleu qui cite les textes pharmacologiques, n’a pas encore fait ses preuves, et a la tendance – détestable – à voir le bon en chacun... y compris chez la cible de leur enquête.
Avec eux, les méchants n’ont pas la moindre chance... enfin si Lucky et Bo ne s’étranglent pas d’abord...
Find it at MxM Bookmark: Kobo : Amazon France : Amazon US
LLes dealers de drogue ne sont pas toujours dans les rues ; parfois ils sont assis derrière des bureaux ou dans des salles de conférence, vendant leur marchandise dans des flacons pharmaceutiques au lieu de petits sachets de cellophane.
Quand on lui donne le choix entre passer huit années de plus en prison ou utiliser son « expertise » pour assister le Service de Contrôle et de Prévention du Détournement du Bureau des Narcotiques du sud-est, le trafiquant de drogue Richmond « Lucky » Lucklighter n'hésite pas et choisit la proposition qui lui laisse une certaine illusion de liberté.
Cynique et peu disposé à admettre qu’il a commencé à se soucier de son travail, il compte les jours avant que sa dette ne soit payée. Le seul obstacle avant de récupérer sa vie est le bleu qu’on l’a chargé de former avant de partir ; un bleu qui cite les textes pharmacologiques, n’a pas encore fait ses preuves, et a la tendance – détestable – à voir le bon en chacun... y compris chez la cible de leur enquête.
Avec eux, les méchants n’ont pas la moindre chance... enfin si Lucky et Bo ne s’étranglent pas d’abord...
Find it at MxM Bookmark: Kobo : Amazon France : Amazon US
June 23, 2015
Breaking the Rules
As a writer, I'm constantly trying to improve, be it by taking online classes, doing tons of research, reading informative books and blog posts, or even buying a critiquing program to help me polish my work.
But you know what? Sometimes you just gotta break the rules.
I aspire to write deep third person POV, which means I'm doing all I can writing-wise to make a reader feel they are the character. And you know what? Lucky Lucklighter splits infinitives. He cusses a lot, and he ends sentences with prepositions. And not just in dialog. That's how he thinks, so that's what appears in the narrative.
Yes, I take pains to form grammatically correct sentences to aid readability, but what if writing out the perfect sentence jerks the reader out of the story because my protagonist has just stepped out of character?
So while my program points out that "ain't happening" is probably not going to get me an A+ on an English homework paper, as long as it helps readers be Lucky for 247 pages, I'll be happy.
Yes, sometimes to tell the story that needs telling, you gotta break those rules.
And speaking of Lucky (and Bo) and rule-breaking, I'm in the home stretch of Redemption (Diversion #5) and am setting a tentative pub date of August 1. Sorry for the delay folks, but I want it to be right.
Also, the covers of the remainder of the series have been updated.
Watch for the Redemption cover reveal in the next few weeks, and I'll leave you with the tentative blurb:
Living is the easy part.
Agent Lucky Lucklighter and his partner escaped Mexico alive, only to plunge into bureaucratic fallout from their mission. Hell, maybe Lucky should have stayed south of the border. Especially when the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau places Bo into rehab, and Lucky’s facing both therapy and an inquiry into a fatal shooting. Watching over his shoulder for a vengeful drug lord or a cartel don calling in favors leaves him scarcely able to imagine a future for them as agents, or as a couple.
Bo Schollenberger once had a vision for their life together, but he’s bowed beneath the fallout of his undercover work. Lucky’s hanging on by his deeply chewed fingernails, clinging to hope by making Bo’s dreams of a home into reality. The last thing he needs is a phone call from a dangerous man who knows too much, summoning him back to Mexico for “an early Christmas present.”
Not when the SNB brass asks tough questions, like “How well do you really know your partner?”
But you know what? Sometimes you just gotta break the rules.
I aspire to write deep third person POV, which means I'm doing all I can writing-wise to make a reader feel they are the character. And you know what? Lucky Lucklighter splits infinitives. He cusses a lot, and he ends sentences with prepositions. And not just in dialog. That's how he thinks, so that's what appears in the narrative.
Yes, I take pains to form grammatically correct sentences to aid readability, but what if writing out the perfect sentence jerks the reader out of the story because my protagonist has just stepped out of character?
So while my program points out that "ain't happening" is probably not going to get me an A+ on an English homework paper, as long as it helps readers be Lucky for 247 pages, I'll be happy.
Yes, sometimes to tell the story that needs telling, you gotta break those rules.
And speaking of Lucky (and Bo) and rule-breaking, I'm in the home stretch of Redemption (Diversion #5) and am setting a tentative pub date of August 1. Sorry for the delay folks, but I want it to be right.
Also, the covers of the remainder of the series have been updated.
Watch for the Redemption cover reveal in the next few weeks, and I'll leave you with the tentative blurb:
Living is the easy part.
Agent Lucky Lucklighter and his partner escaped Mexico alive, only to plunge into bureaucratic fallout from their mission. Hell, maybe Lucky should have stayed south of the border. Especially when the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau places Bo into rehab, and Lucky’s facing both therapy and an inquiry into a fatal shooting. Watching over his shoulder for a vengeful drug lord or a cartel don calling in favors leaves him scarcely able to imagine a future for them as agents, or as a couple.
Bo Schollenberger once had a vision for their life together, but he’s bowed beneath the fallout of his undercover work. Lucky’s hanging on by his deeply chewed fingernails, clinging to hope by making Bo’s dreams of a home into reality. The last thing he needs is a phone call from a dangerous man who knows too much, summoning him back to Mexico for “an early Christmas present.”
Not when the SNB brass asks tough questions, like “How well do you really know your partner?”
June 12, 2015
Collusion, Now at Amazon
Collusion, Diversion Book 2, Second Edition, is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Look for it's release on Saturday, June 10.
Dead men can’t love.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.
While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.
When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.
Dead men can’t love.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.
While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.
When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.
June 9, 2015
Enter to Win a Copy of Collusion
In celebration of Collusion 2nd edition, an ebook copy is up for grabs at Stumbling Over Chaos, my favorite site to hang out with kitties Chaos and Mayhem, snicker at the Misadventures in Stock Photography, and get my fill of Linkity.
So hurry on over and get your name in the hat for the drawing. Say hi to May, Chaos and their Pet Mom Chris while you're there.
Dead men can’t love.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.
While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.
When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.
Available from Rocky Ridge Books, June 20.
So hurry on over and get your name in the hat for the drawing. Say hi to May, Chaos and their Pet Mom Chris while you're there.
Dead men can’t love.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.
While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.
When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.
Available from Rocky Ridge Books, June 20.
Cover Reveal and Enter to Win!
Hey, y'all! To celebrate the Diversion series' new look, I'm giving away an ebook copy of each of the four books, as a set.
Visit these fine blogs for the cover reveals, and to enter the drawing.
http://www.parkerwilliamsauthor.com
http://www.cateashwood.com/cates-blog
http://www.andrewqgordon.com
https://mikkysworldofbooks.blogspot.fr/
http://www.inkedrainbowreads.com
http://www.bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com
http://www.bfdbookblog.net
http://www.scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/
http://www.facebook.com/happilyeverchapter
http://www.rainbowgoldreviews.wordpress.com
http://divinemagazine.net/book-stuff/blog-tours
http://www.fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com
http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com
http://www.cdescoteauxwrites.com/blog/
http://www.Twochicksobsessed.com
http://www.lovebytesreviews.com
http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
http://www.dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/
Visit these fine blogs for the cover reveals, and to enter the drawing.
http://www.parkerwilliamsauthor.com
http://www.cateashwood.com/cates-blog
http://www.andrewqgordon.com
https://mikkysworldofbooks.blogspot.fr/
http://www.inkedrainbowreads.com
http://www.bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com
http://www.bfdbookblog.net
http://www.scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/
http://www.facebook.com/happilyeverchapter
http://www.rainbowgoldreviews.wordpress.com
http://divinemagazine.net/book-stuff/blog-tours
http://www.fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com
http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com
http://www.cdescoteauxwrites.com/blog/
http://www.Twochicksobsessed.com
http://www.lovebytesreviews.com
http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
http://www.dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/
Diversions's New Look, or Why I Changed the Diversion Series' Covers
You may have noticed that Collusion, the second Diversion book, has been out of print, and on Goodreads has been sporting an ode to Bo's chaps instead of an actual cover (thanks, P.D. Singer!). Well, there's a reason for that.
Yes, Collusion will be available again on June 20th from Rocky Ridge Books. Same story, brushed up with what I've learned since the original publication, and sporting a shiny new cover, courtesy of phenomenal artist L.C. Chase.
Dead men can’t love.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.
While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.
When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.
***
But while I was at it, I had L.C. design covers for the rest of the series as well. "Why?" you ask. Well, while I love the original covers she created, and one even featured my good friend Clay, it's very hard to get a man who's 6'1" to look like 5'6" Lucky, although Clay makes a fantastic Lucky otherwise. Also, the model I chose for Bo from stock art has a limited number of photos available, and he's starting to show up everywhere.
The solution? Frantic author hollers for artist and says, "What do you have in mind?"
I trust L.C. a lot. And I'm sure you'll agree that she did an outstanding job, and her design is far more sustainable as I've planned at least four more books in this series. So, without further ado, here are the other covers in the series, which will appear on the books starting June 20, Collusion's release date.
Yes, Collusion will be available again on June 20th from Rocky Ridge Books. Same story, brushed up with what I've learned since the original publication, and sporting a shiny new cover, courtesy of phenomenal artist L.C. Chase.
Dead men can’t love.
Former drug trafficker Richmond “Lucky” Lucklighter “died” in the line of duty while working off a ten-year sentence in service to the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau, only to be reborn as Simon “Lucky” Harrison. The newbie he trained, former Marine Bo Schollenberger, is now his partner on (and maybe off) the job. It’s hard to tell when Lucky doesn’t understand relationships or have a clue what any sane human is doing in his bed. Bo’s nice to have around, sure, but there’s none of that picking-out-china-together crap for Lucky.
While fighting PTSD, memories of a horrid childhood, and a prescription drug addiction, Bo is paying for his mistakes. Using his pharmacy license for the good guys provides the sort of education he never got in school. Undercover with his hard-headed partner, Bo learns that not everything is as it seems in the world of pharmaceuticals.
When a prescription drug shortage jeopardizes the patients at Rosario Children’s Cancer Center, it not only pits Bo and Lucky against predatory opportunists, but also each other. How can they tell who the villains are? The bad guys don’t wear black hats, but they might wear white coats.
***
But while I was at it, I had L.C. design covers for the rest of the series as well. "Why?" you ask. Well, while I love the original covers she created, and one even featured my good friend Clay, it's very hard to get a man who's 6'1" to look like 5'6" Lucky, although Clay makes a fantastic Lucky otherwise. Also, the model I chose for Bo from stock art has a limited number of photos available, and he's starting to show up everywhere.
The solution? Frantic author hollers for artist and says, "What do you have in mind?"
I trust L.C. a lot. And I'm sure you'll agree that she did an outstanding job, and her design is far more sustainable as I've planned at least four more books in this series. So, without further ado, here are the other covers in the series, which will appear on the books starting June 20, Collusion's release date.
