Lizzy Ford's Blog, page 32
January 26, 2013
New Release: “Autumn Dawn” (#2.5, Witchling Saga)
I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve just released the next installment of the Witchling Saga! “Autumn Dawn” (#2.5, Witchling Saga) is now available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo. (Please note: we will update the links as the book populates to the stores!)
Three months after turning Dark and being granted a second trial, Summer has succeeded in winning back not only her soul, but saving that of the Master of Dark as well. She leaves the hospital with some doubts as to whether or not she and Decker can be together, given all they’ve been through and how Dark his deeds were. Summer must choose whether or not she can risk her heart by taking a second chance to love the tormented Decker, whose only peace in the world is found in her arms.
Meanwhile, the fate of the Master of Light becomes more challenging. If finding a way to undo all the Dark that was done by his brother wasn’t enough, he’s compelled to a girl who shouldn’t draw his interest, but who he can’t get out of his mind.
January 22, 2013
Cover reveal and excerpt: “Rourk” by Julia Crane
Here is the brand new cover for Julia Crane’s next book, “Rourk.”
Cover design by Eden Crane Design.
Here is a little teaser excerpt for you all as well! Enjoy!
Keegan groaned. “I wish you would have woken me.”
His lip twitched as he tried not to smile. Waking Keegan at five AM would pretty much be impossible.
“It’s going to be hard having you gone again so soon.” Her face was drawn and sad, though she was trying to hide it.
Rourk traced his fingers through her hair, wishing he could do something to take that look off her face. “It’s hard for me, too.”
Keegan leaned into his touch, moving closer to lay her head on his shoulder. “I know you love it. You don’t have to pretend for me.”
“But I love you more,” Rourk said seriously.
“Why don’t you come over here and show me?” Keegan gave him the impish smile that drove him crazy.
A grin on his face, Rourk tossed his shirt off and joined Keegan under the covers. A plate smashed to the floor, and she giggled. Gods, he loved the sound of her laugh. He couldn’t get enough of her, and knew he never would. Keegan was his chosen, his other half, and she made his life worth living.
Julia Crane “Stalker Links”
Website
Blog
Twitter
Pinterest
Facebook
January 20, 2013
Cover reveal: “Damian’s Oracle” (#1, War of Gods) by Lizzy Ford
Lizzy Ford’s War of Gods paranormal romance series is getting a facelift! It starts today, with the new cover reveal of “Damian’s Oracle,” the first book in the four book series and the first full-length novel Lizzy released in January 2010. “Damian’s Oracle” launched Lizzy’s career and was featured in USA Today’s indie book reviews in March 2012. The new covers are all done by the fantastic Regina at Mae I Design! She even hand designed symbols on each cover to match the necklaces worn by the brothers!
There will be a new cover reveal for the next several weeks, leading up to the release of “Xander’s Chance,” the first book in the Damian Eternal series, a spin off of the War of Gods.
Damian’s Oracle
Inspired by Slavic mythology, Damian’s Oracle is the entree into the ongoing battle between good and evil over the fate of humanity. The White God, Damian, and his Guardians protect the world from the Black God and his monsters while rescuing Naturals – humans with extraordinary paranormal gifts – from the Black God, who would kill or convert them.
Caught in the middle is cool-headed Sofia, a Natural whose gift will tip the scales in the war. Sofia begins her transformation from human into oracle, the first in thousands of years. Damian rescues her from the Black God in time to complete a ceremony that will bind her to him for eternity. Sofia struggles with her new world and her role as an oracle and Damian’s mate while haunted by a mysterious man from Damian’s past who’s supposed to be dead. Unbeknownst to her, her link to the dead man may be all that saves Damian, his Guardians, and the fate of humanity.
While he wants nothing more than for the petite beauty to take her place at his side like the oracles of legend did his White God forefathers, Damian can’t quite rationalize having to win her over instead of command her. Further complicating his life is the sobering realization that there are spies in his organization who are helping the Black God take out his Guardians. Damian must help Sofia reach her potential fast, especially when a threat from his past returns.
Available from: Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Smashwords, Kobo
Find it on Goodreads!
About Lizzy Ford
Lizzy Ford is the author of over seventeen novels written for young adult and adult paranormal romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling Rhyn Trilogy, Witchling Trilogy and the War of Gods series. Considered a freak of nature by her peers for the ability to write and release a commercial quality novel in under a month, Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring.
Lizzy’s books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, three dogs and a cat.
Drop by and say hello! Where to find Lizzy online: Website, Lizzy Ford Books on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Amazon author page
January 17, 2013
Guest post: “How I juggle fiction, family and fitness” by Cami Checketts
I asked Cami Checketts, author of the “Dead Running” series, how she manages writing fiction, her family (with four boys!) and her passion for fitness. She was sweet enough to tell me, and I wanted to share with you all! This woman is incredible!
How I juggle fiction, family, and fitness
Cami Checketts
This is a question I hear quite often and it has a very simple answer: I don’t sleep. A good friend and I used to say we’d sleep when we were sixty. Well, now sixty isn’t sounding so old, so we’ve changed it to, “We’ll sleep when we’redead.”
Seriously, it’s a huge challenge for me to juggle everything, especially because my boys (even the really big one) are stinking adorable and deserve every minute of attention I can spare. I try really hard to remember that someday these cute little men are going to grow up and leave me (except for the really big one) and I’ll have a lot of years when fitting in time to write won’t be so hard. But right now my family has to take first priority.
I could give you a typical play by play of my day, although it may bore everyone but my mother.
5:30 am – Workout (strength training, run, or spin)
6:30 am – Breakfast with oldest son, get him off to school
7:00 am – Shower and get ready
8:00 am – Breakfast for the rest of the boys, drive #2 and #3 to school
8:50 – noon – Play with 2yo, clean, laundry, volunteer at school and church, etc.
12:30 pm – Feed little guy, read to him, put him down for nap
1:00 – 3:20 pm – Writing time (heaven)
3:20 – 13yo comes home, pickup 10yo and 6yo: homework, snacks, friends, practice sports, general craziness
6:00 – 8:00 pm – Dinner and family time (unless we have sports, scouts, book presentations, church meetings, or any one of hundreds of other interruptions)
8:00 – 10:00 pm – Scriptures, family talk, reading stories, and wrestling into bed
10:00 – 11:00 pm – Writing time (if I can stay awake)
11:00 pm – Bedtime
Okay, that may have been entirely too personal and boring, but that’s how I fit in a bit of writing and exercise time with four, fun boys. I know every one of you are probably more busy than I am. I’m just grateful that I can find time to pursue my dreams of being a writer and enjoy being a Mom.
Cami’s blog tour
Dead Running
Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.
With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she’ll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.
Dying to Run
Cassidy Christensen wants to run.
Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.
This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.
Purchase
Dead Running * Dying to Run
Blog Tour Schedule
Author Cami Checketts
Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.
Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.
Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn’t snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.
Links
Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog
#BookBlast Giveaway
Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
$50 Gift Card to Running Chics
Ends 1/31/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
January 16, 2013
Author Spotlight Donna Courtois
Hello Lizzy lovers!
Today is part 3 of the Warren Murphython and an even bigger giveaway!
Author Gerald Welch from yesterday decided to up the ante on his giveaway and said he’s giving away a Last Witness book and a copy of his Destroyer book with Warren, Forgotten Son. but only the Destroyer one is autographed by Jerry and Warren, 2 signed books instead of 1, both signed!
Ready? Set, interview!
What has been your experience in the publishing industry thus far?
My professional experience is confined to The Destroyer. Warren approached me last June about writing novellas as part of their approach to restarting the series. I was thrilled to have a chance to contribute to the books and the characters I’ve been hooked on since the mid-1980s.
How did you meet Warren Murphy?
When I first went online, I found Dale Barkman’s House of Sinanju Yahoo group. It was a revelation: I was able to talk with people who loved these books as much as I do! There had never been anyone near me to talk with about the Destroyer series. I became involved by posting there. Warren also looked in on the group and posted news and answered fan questions. Later Jerry (Gerald Welch) created Destroyerclub, a Destroyer fan site which I also joined, eventually becoming a moderator. As I contributed more to the fandom, Warren began to know who I was.
As for actually meeting, I visited with him and his sons last Sept. Had a marvelous time. They made me feel very welcome and it was really something, talking to Warren Murphy about writing face to face.
What made him want to add you on to his work as a co author?
A few years ago, Warren self-published several books through his Ballybunion imprint. He decided to thank the fans by doing a compilation of fan-written Destroyer stories and invited us to contribute. I had never made a serious stab at writing anything, but there were questions nagging at me about a character who, though talked about, was never in the books. I told her story and submitted it. I wasn‘t sure if it was good enough, but I figured Warren was too far away for me to hear him laughing! But it turned out that he loved it and told me so. He also told me he’d like to work with me some day. And when he decided to begin writing the Destroyer again, this time self-publishing through Kindle, the day had come. Warren decided on a novella and a spin-off series to go with the novels. He needed writers and I was fortunate that he remembered me.
Do you have a favorite book that he has written?
It’s so hard to choose between any of the Destroyers. Acid Rock is one of the funniest. In Enemy Hands doesn’t make too many fans favorite’s list, but I like it for the dangerous conflict that erupts between Remo and his teacher and father-in-spirit Chiun. And to watch how Remo, powerful Master of Sinanju, can be disarmed by a gorgeous face and figure. Also Mugger Blood, which was the first of the books to be criticized as racist for showing inner-city life and the poor performance of inner-city schools. After that, I only have about fifty more favorites!
What’s your favorite part about the writing process?
Finishing! Sometimes I feel like I’m running a marathon when I’m writing, with each chapter as a leg of the race. Some sections I’m racing smoothly and surely, others I stumble or have a hard time navigating. There’s a real satisfaction to finishing a first draft and seeing it all written down.
Where does the inspiration for your stories come from?
The Destroyer has always satirized and commented on topical issues. Chapter Twos are like a short story within the main story. They’re good for people or situations that have annoyed or angered me a little bit. I save the major irritants for the main stories.
What’s the most important thing that you have learned while working with Warren and being an author?
That a professional keeps writing and keeps learning. And to outline, because leisurely sightseeing trips are for amateurs. I need to know where I’m going to end up and what I need to have happen on the way.
If you could meet any fictional character for coffee, who would it be?
I would meet Master Chiun, though it would have to be for tea. And I’d have to pay for it. And flatter him like mad. But it would be worth it for the wisdom and the chance to wheedle stories of past Masters of Sinanju out of him.
Do you dream in stories?
I have had very elaborate dreams that plot out like movies. One morning I woke up thinking my dream would make a terrific book. Then I rolled over, went back to sleep and forgot it. Which is why it’s a good idea to keep a pen and paper near you at all times.
Do you have any advice to give aspiring authors?
Write, write, write and keep writing. Like any talent, it gets rusty if you don’t practice. And write for yourself first. If you try to write the kind of book you wouldn’t want to read, just because it’s a popular, best-selling genre, you’ll get bored with it pretty quickly.
About Donna :
Donna Courtois was living a life of toil and drudgery, writing short stories in her spare time and enjoying her favorite series, The Destroyer.
Then Warren Murphy announced he was looking for short stories for a Destroyer fan-fiction compilation. She submitted Bride of Sinanju and was thrilled when Warren praised her first serious effort.
When he decided to resume writing the series with additional Destroyer material, he chose Donna to co-write the novellas.
Donna has also written The Andrews Courtship, the first in a trilogy of young adult romances set in Gerald Welch’s The Last Witness universe. It will be available on Kindle and in paperback later this year.
Donna lives deep in the wilds of Massachusetts, with a small cat who doesn’t care what she writes as long as dinner is served on time.
Giveaway time!!!!
Win a signed copy of her book co written with Warren Murphy!!!
Leave a blog post comment and the winner will be randomly chosen!
January 15, 2013
Author Spotlight Gerald Welch
Today is part two of the Warren Murphython
And if you missed day one, PLEASE go back and check out the no holds barred interview and stellar giveaway!
Let us move on though, today we are having yet another awesome interview and signed book giveaway with one of Warren Murphy’s co authors, Gerald Welch.
What has been your experience in the publishing industry thus far?
The publishing industry as we know it is changing. The old monoliths are crumbling as they are trying to change into the digital age. I’m not just talking e-readers, either. Self-publishing has become so easy and professional and cheap that just about anyone who can crank out a book can self-publish without mortgaging their house. That is both bad and good.
How did you meet Warren Murphy?
Through his books. No, seriously, I chose to serve in Korea because of his and Dick’s (Sapir, Murphy’s writing partner with The Destroyer) books. Once there, I wrote him a letter and he wrote back. I then got his email and have been hassling him ever since.
What made him want to add you on to his work as a co author?
Oh, he’s been reading my stuff longer than just about anyone. He read the original crap I had written and let me know that it sucked. But more importantly, he told me WHY it sucked and what I could do to make it better. I’ve been listening to him ever since. Last year he read The Last Witness, book III: Gods of War and liked it and asked if I’d like to co-author a series with him. Put it this way: it would be like a guitarist being asked by Eric Clapton if he’d like to team up for a few albums. It’s still hard to believe.
Do you have a favorite book that he has written?
That’s easy. Destroyer #70. I thought he had ended the series with that book. I literally did not sleep that night and it is because of that book that I wanted to become a writer. A good book is like a drug and I wanted to become a pusher.
What’s your favorite part about the writing process?
The last part where I go over the entire project, making sure everything works and adding small elements to make it more interesting.
How long have you been writing?
Professionally, I would say four years. Otherwise, most of my life.
Where does the inspiration for your stories come from?
I just write stories that I would like to read. The further out there the idea, the better. I love clever writing.
How do you come up with the ideas for the covers?
That’s actually the easy part. Since I know what the story is, I just start throwing elements together that symbolize the ultimate point I want to convey about the story. Anyone who has been with me since the start of The Last Witness series knows that I go through three or four “finished” versions before I hit the real one.
What’s the most important thing that you have learned while working with Warren and being an author?
That, while it’s the most fun I have ever had working, it’s still a job. Things matter. Professionalism matters.
How would you talk someone into buying and reading your work?
I’d let them know that I’ve done my research and found that the number one reason most people don’t read is because of length of the book, length of chapters and slow pacing. Literarily speaking, we’ve always been an ADHD nation and books get longer and longer. Harry Potter wouldn’t have survived, much less thrived if the first two books were 700 pages each.
If you could take over the world, how would you do it?
Oh, I like this one. Perception is reality. If you can get enough people to see things your way, then they will go along with what you want. You’re getting very sleeeeeepy…
Do you have any advice to give aspiring authors?
Write. Don’t study about writing, don’t talk about writing, just write. I wasted several months on reading books on how to write and while I’m sure I picked up some good points, it wasn’t worth the months that I could have been writing.
Gerald Welch did not provide a bio or picture ( I think it’s because he is lazy) so I’m just going to add my own since I know him pretty well.
Gerald aka: Jerry lives in a very obscure town in Texas in which he probably sticks out like a sore thumb due to his sense of humor and probably style.
This isn’t his first “rodeo” writing a book but I KNOW that this is his favorite and that he loves working with Warren Murphy oh and cats, he probably loves cats and maybe even mice because he’s kinda twisted.
Find out more about Jerry’s Destroyer spin off series https://www.facebook.com/LegacyBookSe... and give it a like!
Now onto the fun stuff, want to win a signed book from Jerry?
You know the drill…..
January 14, 2013
Author Spotlight Warren Murphy
Today here at Lizzyland, we have the extreme pleasure of sharing both a interview and amazing giveaway with a legendary author by the name of Warren Murphy.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the insight and humor that only Warren can provide.
Author Bio:
Warren Murphy was born in Jersey City, where he worked as a reporter and editor. After the Korean war, he drifted into politics, “but when everybody I worked for went to jail, I thought God was sending me a message to find a new line of work.” The first Destroyer novel followed soon after.
Murphy says he has “the usual passel of snot-nosed kids, Deirdre, Megan, Brian, Ardath and Devin, some of whom now have their own snot-nosed kids.”
He has been an adjunct professor at Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA, and has also run workshops and lectured at many other schools and universities. His hobbies are golf, mathematics, opera and investing.
He has served on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, and also has been a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League, and the Screenwriters Guild.
Murphy is also a member of the Adams Roundtable, a New York writers’ social group, among whose members are Mary Higgins Clark, Peter Straub, Susan Isaacs, Lawrence Block, Harlan Coben, Judith Kelman, Mickey Friedman, Dorothy Salisbury Davis, Justin Scott, Stanley Cohen and Whitley Strieber, and who occasionally produce mystery anthologies.
He lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
On to the interview!!!!
How did you get your start in the publishing industry and how long did it take you to get published?
In 1962, I was a politician in Jersey City and Dick Sapir was a city hall reporter and we decided to collaborate on an adventure novel. We finished it in 1963, didn’t know what to do next, so we sent it off to one of those wacko “agents” who advertised then in Writers Digest. We paid our fee and we got his advice: “forget about writing this as a novel. Series novels don’t sell. Change this into a one-time short story and kill off your character at the end.” Well, Dick and I looked at each other and knew that we were dumber than a pair of doorknobs but compared to this dope we were Newton and Einstein. So we eventually found a real agent, who put our manuscript in a file cabinet for seven years. Finally, Dick’s father, a dentist, was working on a secretary from Pinnacle Books and said his son had written a book. The secretary said — (what else are you going to say to a guy who’s got a drill in your mouth?) — “send it to me and I’ll see that somebody reads it.” So we did and Pinnacle immediately bought “Created the Destroyer” and after only eight years we were overnight successes and the series went on to sell 50 million books.
What are your thoughts on how the publishing industry has changed?
The publishing industry has always been mostly moronic. Its business model was stupid but when you are the only game in town, almost anything can seem sensible. But then came e-publishing and self-publishing and now the “legacy” publishers are totally clueless about how to respond. Most self-published books are junk; mainstream publishers now seem determined to publish even worse junk. The whole industry is pitiful and now you even have reviewing services whoring it up, charging for reviews. And no one in the business seems to think that this is a disgrace, but they’ve all had their hands in each other’s pockets for so long they don’t know what else to do.
How did you feel when your novels were going to be turned into movies?
Generally, I felt raw murderous anger because most of the time, our books and our ideas and our plots and our characters were simply stolen without us being paid. Dick Sapir once tried to put an ad in the Hollywood Reporter announcing our new Destroyer: “Be the first to buy it today so you can be the first to steal it tomorrow.” He was disappointed that the ad never appeared. Later on, when the Destroyer series became a film, “Remo Williams: the Adventure Begins,” Dick and I were disappointed because the producers didn’t seem to realize and wouldn’t listen to us that for there to be a great hero, there has to be a great villain. James Bond had Dr. No and Goldfinger; we had a guy who was selling cheap rifles to the government. So the movie was, sadly, a near miss.
How different was it from writing a novel to writing a movie script?
Film scripts are much easier to write than novels, assuming one has the ability to visualize people and events. But I was kind of spoiled for Hollywood because my first screen job was “The Eiger Sanction” for Clint Eastwood, and Clint was smart, talented, funny and not afraid to make a decision. I soon found out that he was the exception in la-la-land and not the rule and I went back to books. Books are for individuals to write; screenwriting is a collaborative enterprise and someone once said that wanting to be a screenwriter is like wanting to grow up and become a co-pilot.
How did you feel when you received your first Edgar award?
I wondered why they waited so long. No, that’s a joke. The first winning book was a collaboration between me and what’s-her-name and I had promised her that the book would be published and would be a best-seller and I was thrilled that I kept my word. About my motivation to keep writing after “all these years,” it’s either that or sleep in a cardboard box under a bridge. Truth though is I still have a couple of stories I want to tell and writers don’t really retire; they just become unable to balance their writing time with their drinking requirements. Demon rum is both the curse and the pleasure of the profession.
What’s been your motivation to keep writing all these years?
I figured early on that I’d need co-writers, ghosts and partners if I was going to do all the work I wanted to do, there not being more than 24 hours in a day. That said, I have always been very selective about writers that I work with; they have to be good and they have to be reliable. I have never been disappointed; I’ve never worked with a dud. And now I’m working with a new gang, namely Donna Courtois and Jerry Welch, and they’re so inventive and clever they keep me young. Along the way, there’ll be more writers that I work with, and don’t forget, I’ve got five kids and not a dumb one in the carload and every one of them can write. You’re never going to hear the end of me.
Where do your stories come from?
That’s the question most asked and the hardest one to answer satisfactorily. But all joke answers aside, the truth is one’s stories come from reading the newspaper, watching television, reading other books, swearing at the news reports, wondering if politicians can get any dumber…in short, story ideas come from being alive and keeping your eyes open. (I talk some about this at my website, www.warrenmurphy.com where I’m presenting a free full online course on how to write a novel that works).
Which book was your favorite to write?
Favorite book? One is supposed to say the last one…or the next one…but my favorite book wasn’t a book at all…it was a short story called “Another Day, Another Dollar.” I’ll take my chances with that one.
Do you dream in stories?
I don’t really dream. Or at least I don’t remember them. Or maybe they’ve all come true already.
If you could have a drink with one of your characters, which one and why?
Anyone who has spent any time with me would know that the answer to that would be “all of the above.” But in truth, if I picked one, it would probably be Devlin Tracy from my “Trace” series. Having been in a ginmill or two himself, he would clearly know how to act. (And if he wasn’t available, his girlfriend Chico could help pass the time).
If you could take over the world, how would you do it?
I’m still trying to balance my checkbook so taking over the world is tough. But let’s see. To take over the world? I think I’d start out right now by buying me a white horse. Because after this current mess in Washington plays out, it’s going to take a man on a white horse to try to rescue the United States and if one can do that, the rest of the world is simply the remaining piece of cake.
What’s one question you wish people would ask but never do and how would you answer?
Answer: only one damned thing. I would have quit smoking while I still had the use of my lungs. This playing golf while dragging around an iron lung really sux eggs.
Any advice to aspiring authors?
Never surrender. Never give up. Keep going. As the old jazz musician once said, “If you hang around long enough, sooner or later they get to you.”
Thank you so much, Mr. Murphy for not only taking the time to visit us today but to also offer up 2 signed books!
Warren has been generous enough to give away one set of The Assassins Handbook 1 and 2.
All you need to do is enter in your information into the rafflecopter below.
This week we will also be interviewing his two co authors and giving away signed books of theirs as well, so please stay tuned!
Additional Information:
Visit Warren on his website.
Murphy was one of the authors of the screenplay for The Eiger Sanction in 1975, and he also wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 2. He is the author of the Trace and Digger series. With Molly Cochran, he has completed two books of a planned trilogy revolving around the character The Grandmaster, The Grandmaster (1984) and High Priest (1989). Murphy also shares writing credits with Cochran on The Forever King and several novels under the name Dev Stryker.
Some of his solo novels include Jericho Day, The Red Moon, The Ceiling of Hell, The Sure Thing and Honor Among Thieves. Over his career, Murphy has sold over 60 million books.
A few years ago, he started his own publishing house, Ballybunion, to have a vehicle to start The Destroyer spin-off books. Ballybunion has reprinted The Assassin’s Handbook, as well as the original works Assassin’s Handbook 2, The Movie That Never Was (a screenplay he and Richard Sapir wrote for a Destroyer movie that was never optioned), The Way of the Assassin (the wisdom of Chiun), and New Blood, a collection of short stories written by fans of the series.
He has served on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, and also has been a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League and the Screenwriters Guild.
In April 2007, Warren returned to co-authoring The Destroyer, which is now published by Tor Books.
Awards and acclaim
The novels The New Destroyer: Guardian Angel and The New Destroyer: Choke Hold were both identified as Bruce Grossman of Bookgasm’s “10 best crime novels of 2007″
Murphy has received a number of awards and nominations for his work. Ceiling of Hell won the 1985 Shamus Award in the “Best Original Private Eye Paperback” category.
Additionally, his 1999 short story, “Another Day, Another Dollar”, won the “Best Short Story” Shamus award. His novel Grandmaster won the 1985 Edgar Award for “Best Paperback Original Mystery Novel”.
His novel Trace: Too Old a Cat was nominated for “Best Paperback Original” at the 1987 Anthony Awards and the Shamus Awards of the same year.
Also Smoked Out was nominated in this category in 1983,Trace in 1984 (along with a 1983 Edgar Award nomination), Trace and 47 Miles of Rope in 1985, Trace: Pigs Get Fat in 1986 (along with a 1986 Edgar Award nomination); and Trace: Too Old a Cat in 1987.
January 10, 2013
New Years Blog Hop! Dec 11-14
Welcome to the Lizzyland stop of the New Years Blog Hop! Click here to visit the main site in order to find links to other sites to visit!
Want to win a Kindle Fire or Amazon gift card? Check out the main site!
At this stop, you can enter to win an autographed copy of “Gabriel’s Hope!” To enter: Obey the Rafflecopter!
Gabriel’s Hope (#1, Rhyn Eternal)
Death Finds Love.
Recently appointed as Death, Gabriel’s life can’t get much worse. His underworld is in shambles, and he’s racing demons to collect souls in the human world. To add to his mess, he discovers that his predecessor raised an unwelcome Immortal from the dead, one who threatens the Immortal Council that his friend, the Ancient Rhyn, is trying to hold together. When the underworld shuts Gabriel out, he’s convinced he’s hit rock bottom. Until he meets her, and he realizes things can get worse. Much worse.
Now in human form, Deidre – Gabriel’s predecessor and long-time tormenter – is dying from a brain tumor. Rather than mourn, she decides to enjoy the rest of her short life by checking off every box on her bucket list. Little does she suspect that a weekend getaway to the beach will throw her into the hands of Death himself and overturn everything she knows about her world. Deidre has no idea who she was in her past life, but she must learn fast, or she’ll never understand why the Immortals, demons and Death alike are after her. The secret is buried in her head, and the only way to uncover it will kill her.
To survive, she must reach the wounded man behind the mask of Death and show him that the world is filled with more than tragedy and pain.
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Book Blast: Daisy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Tour Schedule
Daisy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Presidential diarist and author Janis F. Kearney transforms civil rights legend Daisy Gatson Bates’ life from black and white, to living color. The author, who interviewed Bates many times; recreates her conversations and interviews to “fill in” places left un-filled, and colors incidents and experiences, to bring Daisy Bates to life. Kearney plums the mysterious murder of Bates’ mother, and the orphan’s childhood; the young woman’s prophetic decision to share a traveling salesman’s life; her non-traditional role as co-publisher of an award winning newspaper; and her leadership role at a time, and place where women rarely led.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place is Daisy’s “look back” at her life, and…finally, a self-analysis of how, and possibly, why she became the Daisy Gatson Bates for which she is known throughout the world. Author Janis F. Kearney recounts the leader’s many friendships, relationships and associations that helps define who she was in the eyes of the world – from Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton; First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.; Roy Wilson, NAACP President; Thurgood Marshall and Wiley Branton, NAACP attorneys, Maya Angelou and Jackie Robinson… and countless others.
The author met Daisy Bates in the summer of 1969, at the age of16. From that moment, the high school student dreamed of working for the woman her father called one of Arkansas’ greatest leaders – black or white.
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Praise
“Thank you to Janis F. Kearney for shedding a critical light on an often forgotten civil rights heroine. Daisy Bates was a woman who refused to be defined by society’s rules on both race and place in America. An often controversial figure, Bates lived life on her own terms, for which she paid dearly. She was an American hero who loved her country for all its greatness; but courageously proclaimed it could and should be better.” ~Sharon La Cruise, Producer
Author Janis F. KearneyJanis F. Kearney is a publisher, author, and oral historian. She was one of 19 children born to Arkansas Delta Sharecroppers T.J. and Ethel Kearney. She Graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a B.A., in Journalism, and completed 30 hours in public administration, and Journalism.
She was hired by Daisy Bates in 1987 as Managing Editor of the Arkansas State Press. In 1988, she purchased the newspaper. She served as Personal Diarist to President Clinton from 1995 to 2001. She was the country’s first personal diarist to a U.S. President, and during that time, she also served as White House liaison to the U.S. National Archives.
In 2001, Janis moved with her husband Bob Nash to Chicago, where she began her writing life. In 2003, Janis, with her husband’s support, founded Writing our World Press/WOW! Books in 2003. Her first book, Cotton Field of Dreams: A Memoir was published in 2004. Her other books include Something to Write Home About: Memories of a Presidential Diarist; Conversations: William Jefferson Clinton…from Hope to Harlem; and Once Upon a Time there was a Girl: a Murder at Mobile Bay, her first fiction. WOW! Books has also published two other authors. Her next book, Daisy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place, is scheduled for publication, December 2012. Her third memoir, Sundays with TJ: 100 years of Memories on Varner Road, and her second Once Upon a Time there was a Girl murder mystery are both slated for publication in Spring, 2013.
Links:
Website * Twitter * Facebook
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/27/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
$5 Amazon gift card and free paperbacks? SIGN ME UP!
I started a Lizzy Ford Rewards Club for diehard Lizzy fans. It’s in the trial stage for the next three months, but the gist is simple: help me promote new releases, and I’ll send you a free paperback of that new release!
I’m also currently offering a $5 Amazon gift card to anyone who signs up! It’s open to international participants as well!
Here are the details:
All members of the club receive free review copies of new releases.
Those who help promote (via reviews, blog posts, FB/G+/social media posts, etc) the new release will receive free paperback of the new release, too.
All Rewards Club members will be entered into twice-monthly drawings for swag, to include the coveted, limited edition charms we will start issuing in January.
All members will also receive 25% off ebooks and swag sold through Lizzy’s online store.
Members will also be invited to a closed Facebook group where you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming releases, Lizzyland news, and hang out with Lizzy and Jenn!
You can earn more entries into the twice-monthly drawings by going on promotional adventures posted in the FB group!
The first Lizzy Ford book eligible for the Rewards Club, “Gabriel’s Hope” (#1, Rhyn Eternal series), is set for release on December 28, 2012. I anticipate there being three to four books released during the December 27, 2012 – March 30, 2013 time period.
Additional titles set for release in 2013 include: “Xander’s Chance” (#1, Damian Eternal series); “Kiera’s Sun” (#2, Anshan Saga); “Winter Kiss” (#3, Witchling Trilogy); “The Black God” (Damian Eternal series); “Deidre’s Death” (#2, Rhyn Eternal series); untitled (#1, Broken Trilogy); and a couple of others under development.
For more details, see the Rewards Club tab.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
