Toi Thomas's Blog, page 115

WWW WEDNESDAYS… is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Read...

WWW WEDNESDAYS… is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading, where you share (1)What you’re currently reading, (2)What you recently finished reading, and (3)What you think you’ll read next.
Comments and shares are welcomed here, but please try to share with Should be Reading as this is their meme.
1. What are you currently reading?Progress has been made. I’m still reading Childhood’s End by Author C. Clarke, and have just started Down the Line by David More (a short read) and Year Zero by Rob Reid.
2. What did you recently finish reading? The Perfects by Wendy Reaks and Coke With a Twistby A.W.Hartoin.
3. What do you think you’ll read next? This is an ever changing thought though I’m looking at several books I’ve been meaning to read. Next I plan to finally pick up my new copy of Seraphina and City of Bones , though I don’t know when that will be, since I’m still busy with many beta reads.
What is your WWW Wednesday?
Check out what others are reading. Ticket to Anywhere. More to come.

6 Sentence Sunday 15

This is a weekly meme hosted and originated by 6 Sentence Sunday. Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel -6 sentences from chapter 14.
Lastly, Giovanni told Mira that he could remember every detail of every bad dream he’d ever had in an explicitly terrifying manner. At that point, Giovanni stated boldly that he didn’t want talk about any of his dreams. He proclaimed that he didn’t like retelling, and thus reliving, the details because they were too horrible and always seemed so real. Giovanni concluded his grand explanation stating that he didn’t know exactly what any of his dreams meant, but that something about all of them always seemed so real and so frighteningly familiar.
As Mira sat there listening to Giovanni explain himself, her mind began to wander, calculate, and strategize. Mira had spontaneously pieced together an idea to help Giovanni with his dreams, but she knew he’d be against it right away.
To participate, pick six (6) sentences from anything you like (it can be from a Work in Progress (WiP), something you recently sold, something you hope to sell or even something already under contract and available for purchase – and don’t worry, Six Sentence Sunday is for published AND unpublished writers ). Then post them on your blog on Sunday. That’s all there is to it!
Posts are for bloggers only, but comments are open to all. Please post a link back to Six Sunday, the “anchor” site, to let people know where you heard about the idea. You are not required to list the week’s posters on your post…And don’t be afraid to share the love by adding the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets about Six Sentence Sunday. You can follow the official Six Sentence Sunday twitter at: https://twitter.com/6_Sunday.
*The informative content listed above was taken directly from the 6 Sentence Sunday website with a few paraphrases for ease of viewing and reading. Please review their FAQs for more details.

Merry Christmas!

I'm enjoying my vacation and my family. I'll be back in full force tomorrow. I hope everyone is doing well this time of year.
~Toi Thomas

Interview 08: Marjorie Strebe

Greetings humans, half-breeds, and everything in between. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview my new friend, Marjorie Strebe. She has been visiting the ECS as a guest and sharing loads of interesting insights into her work. Be sure to look around and see what she has to offer. Here are the results of our interview. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.
Hi there Marjorie! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ECS Universe. Don’t worry about the darkness, your eyes will adjust.
 So tell me who is Marjorie Strebe?
Raised in a military family, I moved around quite a bit, starting kindergarten in Cherry Point, North Carolina and graduating from high school in Anaheim, California.  In college, I majored in journalism.  I served in the United States Air Force, where I met my husband.  We’ve been stationed in England and Greece, and have visited Italy and Israel.  At one time or another, I have been through three-fourths of the states in the continental US.  I’m active in my local church and an active member of the Springfield Township’s CERT Team. 
 Well Marjorie, it seems you’ve had quite the life. I’m sure what you have to share with us today will be very enlightening.
So whacha got for me today? Another Day, Another Challenge is the biography of a child born with Williams syndrome, which most physicians had not heard of at the time of her diagnosis.  The theme of the book is “Dealing with the unique challenges of a special needs child under difficult circumstances.”

 The unique challenges: mental illness nightmares (threatening voices and panic attacks), frequent obsessions, fixation with the police and fire departments, and a critical lack of self-control.
 Difficult circumstances: know-it-all doctors and school faculty, ignorant family members and friends, judgmental church leadership, and ineffective services.
Michelle was a challenge for everyone who worked with her.
In my line of work, I must admit that I’ve heard of Williams Syndrome and also admit that it’s difficult to understand when so many don’t know anything about it. This book does indeed sound enlightening.
 So who’s staring is this 2 dimensional script read of Another Day, Another Challenge?
Michelle Marie Strebe was full term, yet she weighed a meager 4 lbs, 6 oz. She didn’t crawl or sit up until almost a year old.  Although not walking or talking, she started developing manipulation strategies at 18 months.  She took her first unaided step at twenty-five months.  She said her first word at two-and-a-half years old, and she finally talked in complete sentences at age five.  And while the pediatricians brushed off my concerns as insignificant, they blamed me for her failure to thrive. 
 Michelle functioned higher than she tested, yet far below her peer group.  She struggled in all her academic subjects, displayed an intense love for music, and exhibited proficiency in the use of electronics.  She had no problem using a computer or navigating her way through the Internet, but found it difficult withholding personal information from strangers she e-mailed.  She manipulated unsuspecting adults and had such a mastery of the English language that most people couldn’t see past her intelligence to her learning disability.
 Like most children, Michelle sounds like she was a handful, but it is quite obvious the difference between her and the average child. My hats off to parents in general for the amazing task of raising children, but to parents of a special needs child, kudus just doesn’t seem to be enough. I’m glad you’re spreading the word about this issue that is so close to your heart.
 Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
I usually do my writing in our computer room.  I rarely eat by my computer, but I almost always have a bottle of water close by.  I need quiet; I can’t concentrate if there’s any noise, so I never listen to music or anything while I’m writing.
 Although my first published book is a biography, I prefer to write fiction.  I didn’t enjoy writing my daughter’s story because after living through it, I wanted to escape reality into a world of make-believe – a world that I created.  When I’m working on a story, I often brainstorm with me daughter, Jamie.  Then as the novel takes shape in my mind, I write a detailed synopsis of it, so I don’t forget any of the important details.  Sometimes, the book takes off in a different direction than I’d planned, and I just let it go and see where I end up.  I’ve never been disappointed by the ending.  I currently have a fiction series that I’m working on.
 It never ceases to amaze me, the many different methodologies of writers. I too like quiet when I write, but find that if I get stuck, the right music will inspire me. I think it’s cool that you have a fiction series that you’re working on. I guess we’ll be hearing about that, next time.
What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how? My daughter, Jamie, got me hooked on the Love Inspired Christian romance novels.  Each novel may be penned by a different author, but as I read through the books, I learned how to develop my characters.  Terri Blackstock is also a favorite author.  Her books have been a great asset in helping me development both my characters and plot.

Love Inspired huh…Does that mean the series you’re working on will be something of that nature?
No.  I prefer writing action / adventure, so my stories will be more like Terri Blackstock’s than the Love Inspired series.  My main character is a godly Christian who has a way of influencing the world around him.
 Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
Eddie Wilson, the warden of the Wyoming State Penitentiary.  I am currently working on a story that’s taking place in the South Facility of Rawlins, Wyoming, and I’d like the details to be as factual as possible.
Wow, you don’t mess around with your research. I hope it works out.
Who is so you and why?
There’s a country song called “Don’t laugh at me” [by Mark Willis].  <=listenThe lyrics go, “Don’t laugh at me.  Don’t call me names.  Don’t get your pleasure from my pain.  In God’s eyes we’re all the same.”  I have a balance disorder.  In school, I wore thick, coke-bottle glasses.   I can relate with that song because I was often teased and made fun of.   Many days, I went home from school crying.  But God used the abuse I endured to make me a very sensitive person today.
It’s so interesting, the circumstances we find ourselves relating to fiction whether it be through literature or song. I’m a firm believer that all good fiction is derived from some level of reality. I think that’s why we relate so well.
What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read? I prefer quiet when I read.  My favorite place to read is on the recliner-sofa with a bowl of popcorn and a cup of iced tea.  I recently finished Justifiable Means, a paperback written by Terri Blackstock.  But when I have to put down my book, and I can hardly wait to get back to it, as in the case of Justifiable Means, I usually take it to bed with me (minus the popcorn and tea) to get in a couple more chapters before going to sleep. 

 Yeah, I’m guilty as charged. Sometime you just have to sneak books into bed to get that little lit fix in.
What was your favorite book or story, pre teen years?
My favorite books as a pre-teen were The Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew.
I think all my friends read Nancy Drew, but I was more a Ramona and Wayside kind of girl…Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?
Ok.
Alright then, here we go.
If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be? My favorite movie of all time is Courageous.  It’s full of excitement and action, has an outstanding Christian message, and features my life-time heroes, police officers.

Well, I’m not familiar with this film, but maybe I’ll check it out.
What makes you geek out?
I love karate, and have earned my black belt in a form of martial arts called Kenpo Jujitsu. I love the police department and volunteer my time there.  In addition, I sometimes go on police ride-alongs. I love my church and never miss a service.  I’m very active in my church.  And I greatly enjoy studying my Bible. I love helping my community during times of disaster, so I’m a trained member of Springfield Township CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).
It would seem that “charity,” in the purest sense of the word, is your joy…Who can argue with that?
 So what’s testing your patience right now?
I don’t watch much TV, and I seldom go to the movies, so I have no idea what’s coming out.
I’m not much of a tube watcher either (about 2 hours a week), but I’m always looking forward to something. I think around the holidays is the only time I actually go out of my way to find a TV, just so I can watch the classic movies I grew up with.
When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?
My favorite type of music is inspirational or southern gospel.  It’s hard to pick out one or two favorite songs because I love so many of them, but among my favorites are “God Wants to Hear You Sing,” “It Pays to Pray,” and “My Statement of Faith,” all sung by Greater Vision.  I also like country music.  I don’t like contemporary Christian or Rock.  And to me there’s no such thing as Christian Rock or Country Rock.  So if the music has a rock beat, it’s probably something I won’t listen to.
I find musical talents and creativity to be a gift from God and am an avid lover of music in general, but I understand why some people have their preferences…Not everything is for everyone, and that’s ok.
What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had? That’s a hard one because I’ve done a lot of fun things in my life; things that I have greatly enjoyed.  But I guess one of my most treasured experiences was taking my grandsons (ages 8 and 10) white water rafting in Montana.  We went down class III and IV rapids.
Now that does sound like fun. I must admit that I’ve been too afraid to try it myself so far, but I’ll do it one day…And I’m sure it was all the more fun being there with your grandsons.
 Remind me again how I was lucky enough to meet you?
We were connected through the Book Marketing group at LinkedIn.
Thanks for reminding me. It really is a great place to network.
Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?
In the next five years, I expect to have two or three of my fiction books published and I would have developed a platform as an inspirational speaker.
Well, I sure wish you all the best and look forward to seeing your future works.
Ok humans, half-breeds, and everything in between, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Marjorie Strebe, check out these great links:Author website: www.marjiestrebe.com.To purchase Another Day, Another Challenge visit:TatePublishing.com& Amazon.com

Guest Post 05: Marjorie Strebe

Preparing for Michelle’s first day at a new school, I attempted to inform the staff how my little first-grader faked illness or injury for attention, but they cut me off. 
            “Mrs. Strebe, how many children do you have?” asked the principal.
            “Three.”
“Well we have three hundred.  Don’t tell us about kids.  Believe me, we know about kids.”   …On September 9, 1992, one week into the school year, I received an urgent phone call from Michelle’s teacher.  “Mrs. Strebe, Michelle passed out on the lunchroom floor!”
            My daughter started manipulating others before she could walk or talk.  And playing sick was her favorite pastime.  She loved the attention of the doctors and paramedics and police officers and fire fighters.  She started calling 911 when she was six years old, and it took me four years to break her of it.  But that just meant she no longer called them herself.  As a preteen, she enticed unsuspecting neighbors to place the call and as an adolescent, she always managed to get hold of an unguarded telephone where she phoned the crises center….
“I have a knife.”  They dispatched the police. 
“I’m thinking of hurting myself.”  They dispatched a rescue squad. 
Michelle woke me at 2:00 in the morning.  “Mom, the police are at the door.  They want to talk to you.”This child led our family through medical battles, social dilemmas, and obsessions galore; obsessions that brought the police or rescue squad racing to our front door two or three times a week.  We dealt with the unique challenges of a special needs child who was falling through the cracks of every service designed to support her needs, and the older she got, the more problems we had with her.  Yet, Michelle’s story serves as a reminder that there’s always help available.  It’s just a matter of finding it.  This book not only covers the various characteristics of WS, but it clearly shows where the system failed and how a conscientious doctor or teacher could have improved the situation.  It also gives insight as to what could be going on behind the scenes in the home.Williams syndrome affects different people in different ways. And while these children deal with developmental delays and mental retardation, they often talk very intelligently and are usually gifted in music. Yet most people can’t see past their intelligence to their learning disability.  That was one of the biggest challenges I faced with family, friends, and the school system.  And that is also one of the main reasons I wrote Michelle’s story; to educate people on a syndrome that few know anything about and to help others recognize the best ways to offer much-needed support to the family.
Another Day, Another Challenge; the Biography of a Child with Williams Syndrome chronicles Michelle’s life – from birth, through her diagnosis and delayed development, to the never-ending challenges that accompanied this atypical Williams child.  From her behavior challenges to a genuine emergency; from mental illness nightmares to obsessive-compulsive behavior, Michelle created problems for everyone around.            And my support system offered no support.  Know-it-all doctors and school faculty viewed me as an apathetic parent while ignorant family members and judgmental church leadership were blinded to my daily struggles.  They believed that the only problem with Michelle was her parents.  In addition, we dealt with ineffective MRDD (Mental Retardation / Developmental Disability) services.  Their goal was to keep Michelle in the home, regardless of how many times she threatened to burn it down.  Michelle reached the place where she needed 24-hour supervision, and I simply couldn’t keep up with her.  If I turned my back, took a nap, or went to bed at night, she was on the phone.            But God saw me through an incredibly difficult situation, and just like Michelle had learned all the right things to say to force the police or rescue squad to transport her to the hospital, God gave me the exact words that I needed to say to force MRDD to find her a placement aside from my home.
For more information, feel free to check out my website: www.marjiestrebe.com.
To purchase Another Day, Another Challenge visit:
TatePublishing.com& Amazon.com
 

6 Sentence Sunday 14

This is a weekly meme hosted and originated by 6 Sentence Sunday. Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel -6 sentences from chapter 13.He woke up in shock and pain, filled with anger, hatred, and overwhelming confusion. Giovanni screamed out in horror, shaking the foundation of the house and setting his bed a blaze, as he felt the trickle of blood running down his neck. Smoke alarms all over the house began to sound off like an orchestra of sirens. Mira leaped up from her bed and ran to the stairwell in the hall and called out, “Where is the fire, what should I do?”
Abraham shouted up at her, “Get water, as much as you can right away, and bring it to Gio’s room!” Abraham had already delivered himself from the clutches of his well turned down bed and climbed into his wheelchair, grabbing his emergency fire extinguisher along the way. Abraham wheeled himself up to Giovanni’s door and pushed himself out of his chair, falling to the floor with determination.
To participate, pick six (6) sentences from anything you like (it can be from a Work in Progress (WiP), something you recently sold, something you hope to sell or even something already under contract and available for purchase – and don’t worry, Six Sentence Sunday is for published AND unpublished writers ). Then post them on your blog on Sunday. That’s all there is to it!
Posts are for bloggers only, but comments are open to all. Please post a link back to Six Sunday, the “anchor” site, to let people know where you heard about the idea. You are not required to list the week’s posters on your post…And don’t be afraid to share the love by adding the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets about Six Sentence Sunday. You can follow the official Six Sentence Sunday twitter at: https://twitter.com/6_Sunday.
*The informative content listed above was taken directly from the 6 Sentence Sunday website with a few paraphrases for ease of viewing and reading. Please review their FAQs for more details.

Interview 07: Neal James

Greetings humans, half-breeds, and everything in between. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview my new friend, Neal James. He has been visiting the ECS as a guest and sharing loads of interesting insights into his work. Be sure to look around and see what he has to offer. Here are the results of our interview. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down. Hi there Neal! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ECS Universe. Don’t worry about the darkness, your eyes will adjust.
 So tell me, who is Neal James? I am Neal James, UK crime writer with three novels and an anthology already in publication. I began writing in 2007, found my publisher in 2008 and have my fifth book due out in early 2013. I have been married for 36 years and have two grown-up children. By day I am an accountant working for a power company in the East Midlands, and thirty plus years in the accountancy profession has provided me with a wealth of data for my fiction.

Well doesn’t that just sound pleasant; I mean it. It’s nice to know of someone having two careers and enjoying both. Maybe you don’t enjoy accounting as much as writing, but the former does gives you data for the later and that sounds pretty cool to me.
So whacha got for me today? ‘Two Little Dicky Birds’, my third novel, was published in 2010. It tells the story of a serial killer, operating all over England, who was responsible for 18 murders between 1975 and 1992. In 2002 he returns and gives the Metropolitan Police 28 days to stop him embarking upon a fresh killing spree. The book charts the careers of several members of the New Scotland Yard force as they pull out all the stops to catch the perpetrator.

I can definitely sense the professional in you. This description is one of the best I’ve heard and it actually sounds compelling, as opposed to being told that it is.  I don’t know how old this killer is supposed to be, but with 27 years of terror behind him and can’t wait to find out what conspires over those 28 days.
 So who’s starring in this 2 dimensional script read of ‘Two Little Dicky Birds’?
Colin Barnes is the Detective Chief Inspector at the centre of the plot of ‘Two Little Dicky Birds’, and the story tracks his humble beginnings in London’s East End, his suffering at the hands of a brutal father, and the fortunes of him, his mother, and the two women who shape his future life and career. His ambitions and tragedies are laid bare as he overcomes a succession of hurdles in his pursuit of the infamous serial killer, ‘Petey’.
Talk about a strong well developed character. This guy sounds like he has enough problems, yet he still takes on the burden to solve this mystery and bring down this killer. He sounds like the kind of hero who’d rather not be, but is just doing the right thing. I love these kinds of heroes and write about them myself. I have a feel that his determination probably puts a strain on his relationships, but I guess I’ll just have to read it to find out.
 Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing? I write when the mood takes me, otherwise my stories will merely appear ‘forced’. I tend to have more than one book on the go at any one time, and this gives me an outlet should one of them come up against a brick wall. I use spreadsheetsto organize my plots – that way I can see at a glance what is happening to each of my characters and plot lines.

I will take characteristics of my ‘cast’ and the stories which involve them from a variety of sources. These may or may not include real life, pure imagination, hints and clues from TV and film dramas, and snatches of conversation.
All of my writing takes place in my study, and in complete silence. I can’t have background noise from the radio or TV, as this is too distracting. A mug of tea or coffee is always in attendance. I am currently working on two novels. ‘Three Little Maids’ is the sequel to this year’s book ‘Full Marks’ – a detective novel featuring DCI Dennis Marks, who finds himself at the centre of an IPCC investigation. ‘Dreamer’ is the paranormal tale of a young man with the power to make his own dreams come true.
Wow, you are so methodical and I love it. I may have to try spreadsheets. I usually keep a running entry of plot points to see where I am when writing. Like you I also like silence, but find that if I need inspiration, I go looking for just the right soundtrack. Even now you keep yourself busy and creative. I’m much the same, always writing something. To be perfectly honest, as much as I’m now looking forward to ‘Two Little Dicky Birds’, ‘Dreamer’ is more my type of tale. I’m so into that.
What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how? Google SearchJames Patterson– his short, punchy crime chapters are real page turners, and my style emulates his.

Isaac Asimov – my 2015 novel ‘The Rings of Darelius’ is set very much with his style in mind, and also takes inspiration from ‘Star Trek’.
Thomas Hardy – his descriptive text in the Wessex Novels has a masterful touch, and I am a great admirer. I have all of his novels.
It’s true that avid readers make the best writers. It’s easy to see that you’ve learned quite a bit from reading great authors…and what a selection this is. Very nice.
 Whose brain are you just itching to scratch? Amazon James Patterson. I love the Alex Cross character and Patterson has the ability to MAKE me keep on turning the pages. I’d like to know how he builds up the strengths and flaws in the character.

I must admit that I haven’t actually read Patterson, except for his ‘ Middle School’ book (research for my niece), but have seen movies based on his work. I know shame on me, there’s one more author I need to add to add to my TBR list.
Who is so you and why? Google Search I’ve been told by friends in the States that my writing reminds them of that of John Grisham. Having read several of the author’s books, I am completely blown away by the comparison. As for fictional characters, my own Dennis Marks carries many of the character traits which I have myself, and that is probably why I find him so easy to write about.

 There are a few actresses I was told I looked like when I was younger, but I don’t really get compared to others much. A comparison to John Grisham sounds pretty sweet. I too find that I’m like my character Mira or that she’s like me, but she looks more like my sister.
What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read? Amazon I am, or rather was, sitting with a coffee, reading ‘Dune Messiah’ – the second in the ‘Dune’ series written by frank Herbert. I have the radio on for background noise when I am reading – I can handle that. The book is paperback (I find them easier to handle), and I have read it before. This, for me, is never a problem, as there is always something that I will have missed on the last occasion. This series compares to Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ collection, and the characters within its pages stand out in three dimensions – a real tribute to the writer.

Now that sounds lovely and cozy. I love to hear of the ways others appreciate a good read. I very seldom re-read a book, but I do every now and then. For convenience, I read a lot of ebooks, but I always have a paperback or hardcover around for when I just need to feel the pages in my hands. 
What was your favorite book or story, pre teen years? Amazon Pre-teen, I was a fan of the ‘Biggles’series of books, simply because of the nature of the adventures that he went through. It’s hard to explain why that should be, some 50 years later and I haven’t read any of them since.

I’m not familiar with ‘Biggles’, but now I have to check it out. Not that there’s any reason to be ashamed, but sometimes I don’t like to admit that I still read Peter Pan stories; J.M. Barrie left a mark on me …Now this where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?
Absolutely
Alright then, here we go.
If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?  IMDBRoman Polanski’s ‘Tess’. This is the screen adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ and is beautifully shot in a perfectly true portrayal of rural life.
I’ve heard of this film before, but have never seen it. I usually try to stay away from controversial directors, but if I really did that, I’d hardly have anything to watch.
What makes you geek out? Google Search Science Fiction – I take it all in, and am constantly amazed at the concepts explored by the likes of Asimov and Herbert, writing many years before their time. I look at series like ‘Star Trek TNG’ and marvel at the gizmos which are in common use – tools about which Asimov wrote in the 1970s and 1980s

I too have a love for sci-fi, but only because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. May father is the true Science Fiction authority in our family.
 So what’s testing your patience right now?
‘Full Marks’ will be coming out in 2013, and is currently being typeset by my publisher, Pneuma Springs. The patience angle will come in with the checking of the proofs, and I’m really excited about this book as it will contain illustrations for the first time.
‘Full Marks’ sounds very exciting and the addition of images is sure to be interesting.
When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage? Google Search So many, but I suppose Simon & Garfunkel must be right up there at the top. ‘Homeward Bound’ <=listen takes me back to my student days and the trip home at the end of term. I’m also a fan of Puccini, and have leaned several of his operatic solos – this brings in the likes of Pavarotti and Boccelli.

This is so cool. I’m no expert, but I too have an appreciation for opera. I actually have a vinyl album of the 1956 stage presentation of La Boheme.  I’m even less of an artist than I am an authority on opera, but I have several Simon & Garfunkel records, including an instrumental, which I like to listen to when I paint.
What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date? I suppose that would probably be going to Disneyland Paris with the entire family, for the first time, in 1996. Three generations all having the times of our lives over the course of four days.

That does sound fun and endearing. I’m sure it will be a cherished memory for years to come.
 Remind me again how I was lucky enough to meet you?
It was a few weeks ago, and on one of the reading and writing groups on Linkedin, where we are both members.
Oh yeah, that’s right. I just keep on making new connections from there.
Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?
The future holds a further six books and a host of enjoyment in getting them out there, and doing the promotional and marketing work. I love standing in book shops at signings, and just talking to people about fiction.
What I great outlook. I truly hope it comes to pass and with the way you’re going now, it’s sure to.
Ok humans, half-breeds, and everything in between, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next. For more from Neal James, check out these great links:
Website- http://www.nealjames.webs.com/
Amazon book links- A Ticket to Tewkesbury , Short Stories: Volume One Two Little Dicky Birds , Threads of Deceit

Review 09: Sacre Blue

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Sacre Blue: A Comedy d’Art by Christopher Moore
I give this book a 3 and a cautionary recommendation.
This is the story of how the impressionists were inspired, sort of.  So just think of every impressionist painter around the time of Van Gogh’s death gathering together to share battle scars and horror stories as they fry their brains and you’ll be close. What this book actually is, is a fairy tale of how it could have really happened if lead poisoning, syphilis, and absinthe hadn’t actually killed off all those painter or made them go mad.
Clever is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this story, and classy is not. This story is funny. I’m new to Christopher Moore’s work, but that seems to be a consensus. I know the title states that it’s a comedy, but I’ve read comedies that weren’t very funny, but this is funny. It’s also a little outrageous, but since it’s fiction, why shouldn’t it be?
I could ramble off the names of all the artists and time periods that Moore managed to intertwine in this convoluted scheme of love, lust, muses, and death, but that could take a while and I don’t want to get a cramp in my hand. If you know anything about art, at all, I mean eighth grade art appreciation; you’ll recognize at least one of the characters and be drawn into the story. For those who actually know quite a bit about art and history, I laughingly imagine the wrinkles of your faces as you scrutinize the details of the major plot points and character flaws. This story shouldn’t be taken too seriously. 
I truly meant it when I called this a fairy tale, but Disney wouldn’t dare touch it. There’s  too much sex and drugs, and, to my great displeasure, an unnecessary over usage of the F word.  I guess I could attribute the over usage of the F word to European and, specifically, the French culture, so I didn’t let it bother me too much. For some reason, I never hold up the same standards or European comedy as I do US comedy; so I guess the same goes with literature.
This is not a story for the family, but a good read for any adult with a sense of humor. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/431080481

Update

No WWW Wednesday today, sorry. I’ll have an update next week. I hope you are enjoying the guest post by Neal James today, here at the ECS. HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT MY GIVEAWAY? IT’S JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY!

Guest Post 04: Neal James

Two Little Dicky Birds (ISBN 9781905809936)
 On Saturday 5th April 1975, in a fit of rage, Paul Townley took the life of his father, Harold.
The significance of that single event was to affect the rest of his life, as he resolved to make it his mission to rid society of the kind of person that the man had become.
The first killing took place six months later, and over the following fifteen years seventeen more were to follow, as the trail of devastation left by a serial killer covered the length and breadth of England.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Barnes looked down at the letter which lay on the desk before him. An icy hand gripped his heart as he read once more the details of the eighteen murders.
Murders which had come back to haunt him from his past as he realised that he would, once more, be faced with the serial killer who called himself ......Petey.
This is the back cover summary which is specifically designed to draw the reader into the plot. Whilst its dramatic phraseology is one of the keystones of the book, the story within the 90,000 words and 85 chapters tell so much more.
Colin Barnes’ lowly beginnings in London’s East End, the brutal treatment of both him and his mother at the hands of his father, and their subsequent escape from the terror which was inflicted upon them stands out in stark relief to the remainder of the plot.
Tightly wound within the framework of the story are a range of sub-plots. Barnes’ relationships with the two women passing through his life, his mother’s resurgence in a relationship which fulfills all of her dreams, and the birth of Barnes’ sister, all come together to paint a softer background to the sheer brutality of the main story line.
‘Petey’ is a mass killer some back to haunt Barnes from his past as a Detective Sergeant working for the Metropolitan Police. Barnes and his former boss, DI Harrington, were at the heart of the search for the serial killer from 1975 to his disappearance in 1992.
The story operates in two distinct timescales: 1975 – 1992 where I take the reader through the initial investigation and the eighteen killings, and present day (2002) when Barnes receives a taunting letter from Petey threatening a fresh wave of carnage.
From that point, the plot moves with ever-increasing pace as the search in both timeframes becomes more intense. Freaks of lick – both good (for the killer) and bad (for the police) serve to frustrate the reader and force a turning of pages at an increasing rate. This the book is specifically designed to do.
Close to the end, I shift the entire story across the Atlantic, bringing into the fray a New York cop – Tom Casey – as the perpetrator seeks to outrun New Scotland Yard, assume a new identity and vanish to begin a new killing spree in the USA.
Even then, with the capture of our killer, there is one more throw of the dice before the final unraveling of the plot.
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Colin Barnes
DCI at New Scotland Yard who has worked his way up from uniformed Police Constable under the wing of the legendary DI Robert Harrington. His lowly beginnings in one of the poorer areas of London contrast sharply with his career and personal progression. He marries Caroline Stenson, a woman rescuing him from the despair of losing his first love, Stacey Richards, in a tragic accident. He is a man of fierce determination and is single-minded in his approach to his job.
Robert Harrington:
Barnes’ mentor and leader in the early chase to capture ‘Petey’.  He is one of the old school, and tolerates nothing short of complete devotion to duty. He hands over the reins of the case to Barnes upon retirement.
‘Petey’:
A pathological killer, hiding in plain sight, who has a merciless dedication to the slaughter of innocent victims simply because he believes that he can get away with it. Seeming to have an ear within the Police, he remains one step ahead of them at all time from 1975 to 1992.
He moves in and out of every plotline as the story unfolds.
Tom Casey:
Street-hardened New York detective who has seen and done it all in his career within the NYPD. Close personal friend of Barnes as a result of an incident in their past, he provides a cultural opposite to the typically ‘English’ persona of the British policeman.