Isis Sousa's Blog: Tragic Books' news - Posts Tagged "new-book"

Since I no longer have a book blog, I'm participating on fellow author Ben Starling's Blog Tour right here, on GoodReads!
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GoodReads author Ben Starling is now publishing his new book: Something in the Water, An Ocean Romance

""""""""SYNOPSIS""""""""
What if to be with the man of your dreams…you had to give up your life? On the verge of losing her job, side-lined journalist Teal Douglas is forced to travel to the South Pacific to profile a powerful businessman. But with her almost-but-not-quite fiancé Bear discouraging her every step of the way, she may not be able to save her career or her relationship.

When corporate criminals invade paradise, Teal teams up with former boxer turned marine biologist Perry Stanley to investigate. As she discovers the true intentions behind the new fishing operations, she must either accept the plum promotion that will save her career or—with Perry—defend the island with more than her life.
""""""""EXCERPT""""""""

Something in the Water – Chapter 1 begins…
New York, September

He didn’t look like the hotel guests, the business people, or the tourists. He didn’t move like them either.

He brushed past me as I climbed off my Vespa, stilettos in hand, outside the entrance of the Waldorf Astoria. Had he smiled at the radiance of my scarlet ball gown? Or was he amused by my battered Converse sneakers?

As a valet approached to take my scooter and helmet, I spotted my boss, Malcolm, waving hello from the lobby. He was approaching the glass doors that separated us when I noticed a small wooden box on the ground. Two steps later, I had picked it up. Who could have dropped it?

No one was close by, so I turned. The only man who’d passed me was already a half block away, gliding beside the cars that waited for the lights to change at the end of the block. Was it his?

What I knew for sure was that now wasn’t the time to be tracking down the little box’s owner. I should hand it in to reception and concentrate on the evening ahead. For a few seconds, I relaxed as I studied the hotel’s confident, soaring opulence—a world unknown to me before my arrival from Nantucket four years ago. The smooth texture of the box, however, drew my thoughts back to it. Was there something valuable inside? What if it did belong to that man, and he never returned to collect it? I turned the box over—and caught my breath.

“How on earth…?”

Malcolm emerged in front of me. “Hello, darling, you look absolutely—are you okay?”
I thrust my sparkly evening shoes into his hands, and hitched up my shawl. I was about to give chase when a convertible Ferrari lurched to a stop beside me.

“Going my way, babe?” its driver shouted, over the thrum of the engine.

But my dress was redder, and I got the better start.

You can find the rest of Something in the Water, Chapter 1 at http://ben-starling.com/chapter-one/

............>>>>Something in the Water, An Ocean Romance is available on Amazon. http://bit.ly/SITWbtour2am


""""""""QUESTIONS & ANSWERS""""""""

First of all, tell us a little about yourself. If you could choose anywhere in the world as a location to write, where would it be?
By the ocean, of course! The problem is, I’d keep looking out the window, wandering along the beach, going for a swim and whatever I was writing might never get finished. So I think I’d better stay in London for now.

What excites you about writing?
When my characters grow in proportion to my readers’ expectations; when apparently unrelated plot strands join in a Gordian knot; when my writing elicits a wide range of powerful emotions; when my editor smiles.

Love is an important theme in your work. Why is it so important to you?
Many will have heard of the idea that people live either love- or fear-based lives. I hadn’t heard of this train of thought until quite recently: I began reading about it, following my partner Melisa’s death. She was the first person to have discussed it with me. It’s a fascinating idea that seems to explain many things—including why we get the political leaders, the financiers, the people in positions of authority that we end up with...who then cause many of the world’s problems.

With more love-based leadership and less decision-making based on fear, the world would surely be a more stable and happier place. In my writings, I attempt to explore possible outcomes that might be achieved with various applications of this concept.

Fear-based approaches are not de facto. Love-based conciliatory approaches are possible. We have a choice—if only we could find the way to reach a stasis with this as the generally accepted principle. It’s the transition that’s the trick, but through education, I believe this is possible.


""""""""BEN STARLING ON THE WEB""""""""
Here are some links to find Ben Starling and his work on the web:

www.amazon.com/author/benstarling

www.twitter.com/benstarlingauth

www.facebook.com/authorbenstarling

www.facebook.com/ben.starling.author

www.goodreads.com/ben-starling

www.ben-starling.com

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Good luck with your new book, Ben :D

Nightmares, hallucinations, strange happenings and impossible love have all been traits of As Cold As Thorns contrasting with sarcasm, narcissism, art and extravagance. There is a mystery in the story – the key to everything and that is the infamous, elusive Black Rose.

But what really is the Black Rose? Which powers does it possess?

Henrique, the protagonist, goes through a transformation, from a bright artistic mind and kind, cordial man to someone cold, tormented and shrouded in darkness. Is it love, madness or something else inflicting him this pain and twisted state of mind?

For those who followed the ups and downs of the world’s most acclaimed tailor, the sad story of Amelia, the grim drama of Princess Catalyna and the expeditions towards the infamous rose, you shall no longer be puzzled. You shall have your answers in the Spring of 2018 on the sequel As Black As Ice.

Like the first book in the duology, this one will also be illustrated and have the special layout.

At the moment, I am writing its chapters and doing the editing with Clare Diston https://humanvoices.co.uk whom I have worked in (almost) all my books. This October, a team of beta readers gathered by RBTL Book Tours http://www.rbtlbooktours.com and I are starting the beta reading process for the final part of the story.

The cold, dark mood of the Autumn and Winter seasons in Norway are perfect inspiration to help setting the mood during the writing process, and of course, all the amazing energy and support of those who have read the story and helped me making it better.


(I took this photo last week while driving with my husband on a beautiful Autumn morning.)

So stay tuned, for something wicked this way comes… in Spring 2018.

Cheers guys and enjoy life! :-)