Aya Walksfar's Blog, page 18
January 10, 2014
OPENED EMAIL AND…OMG!
Two-thirty eight in the morning. Finally, finished rewrite of third draft of Run or Die! Had to fix an error in the next to the last chapter. Last thing to do: check email.
Opened up my email and this is what I read: (the book she is referring to is: Sketch of a Murder)
Suzanne Eviston
9:22 PM (14 hours ago)
to me
Loving the book! Especially now as I read the killer talking in first person…it is great! and also because now that I’m a detective in the special assault unit…how timely!
I am so very proud of this young lady! (And quite honored by her words about my novel) She has worked incredibly hard to rise to her position as a detective.
In 2007, Suzanne and her K9 partner, Axel, were one team of several officers responding to the call of a burglary in progress. Her vehicle was t-boned by a stolen Jeep Cherokee driven by one of suspects attempting to escape the scene. Suzanne was in critical condition.
You don’t come back from such a vicious vehicular assault without hard work, and pain. Lots of both.
Suzanne not only came back from the assault, but as soon as she was able, she returned to work. Though she was frequently in incredible pain, you never heard a word of complaint. I truly admire Suzanne, and am honored that she extended her friendship to me.
She’s the kind of person who quietly goes about making our world a better, and a safer, place. (Click the link below to view the vehicle Suzanne was cut out of)
This woman is a mini-hurricane of activity! Whenever I visit with her she is inevitably training German Shepherds, arranging delivery of dog food or dog items from her store (she is a big advocate of healthy eating for dogs and sells a wonderful raw diet), setting up puppy viewing times for the excellent babies her kennel, von Grunheide Shepherds, produces and any number of other activities. But, she has never been too busy to talk with me, to assist me with my own dogs, or to give me information on police questions–everything from homicide procedures to how does a taser hit really feel.
CONGRATULATIONS, SUZANNE! You truly deserve all the good things that come your way!
January 6, 2014
FINDING THE GOLD!
There are literally millions of #books in the world, but it is ALWAYS a thrill to find those extra special ones. It’s like finding gold when you’re panning your backyard creek! Kelly Miller is a wonderful find!
Dead Like Me by Kelly Miller ( a #murder #mystery)
Detective Springer has just returned to work from an administrative leave after a righteous shooting, and is called out when a dog finds a young girl in the yard of an abandoned house. The girl has been strangled. As they brush the leaves away from the girl’s face, Detective Springer is looking at her own face at the age of thirteen!
Is the likeness a macabre coincidence, or is there a far more sinister meaning behind it?
The twists and turns of this plot as the author interweaves a past case with the present one will keep you reading well into the night.
I enjoyed the well developed characters. By the end of the book, I wanted to hand Detective Springer a can of Coke. And, if I ever need a therapist, I am definitely getting Dr. Grace’s phone number.
Dead Like Me is available on Amazon. For more information about the author, Kelly Miller, visit Aya’s blog the week of January 27th when she will be hosting Ms. Miller. http://www.ayawalksfar.com/
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January 3, 2014
#RAFFLECOPTER #GIVEAWAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
I am SO EXCITED! Our #Rafflecopter #Giveaway #Winners are:
Sandy Bartles of Georgia: Congratulations, Sandy! Sandy won an autographed paperback copy of Good Intentions by Aya Walksfar
Renita McKinney of Texas: Congratulations, Renita! Renita won an autographed paperback copy of Sketch of a Murder by Aya Walksfar
Jeselle Grace of New York: Congratulations, Jeselle! Jeselle won an autographed paperback copy of Dead Men and Cats by Aya Walksfar
THANK ALL OF YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN “A Perfect Day” Rafflecopter! To enhance your reading pleasure, please visit my blog where you can read character interviews, book reviews and so much more!
To get ALL the latest, FOLLOW my blog. It’s EASY! Just click on the Follow button.
Be sure to watch for the latest news on Book 2 of the Special Crimes Team series. Sergeant Slowater thought this last case was tough, but she ain’t seen nothing yet!
December 31, 2013
#THRILLER : A PERFECT DAY BOOK REVIEW
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20/
CHECK OUT THIS COOL GIVEAWAY! JUST CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO RAFFLECOPTER.
#BOOKREVIEW BY AYA WALKSFAR: THE PERFECT DAY
A nail-biting #thriller!
Gunnar Lawrence’s book hooked me from the first page. The author has woven a story full of surprising twists and turns. How does a homeless man figure in a series of seemingly unrelated murders? What does the killing of illegal immigrants have to do with the past war in Iraq?
The descriptions are spare, but they draw the reader right into the scene.
The characters are so well-drawn that I felt like I wanted to help that homeless man, assist that woman and her daughter; and they weren’t even the main characters!
It’s a novel with graphic violence that isn’t gruesome. That is a difficult thing to pull off.
The chapters give the reader different perspectives on the unfolding drama, but it is all woven into a tight story.
The subtle romance in the book doesn’t depend on sex or the ‘hottest looking…’ It’s real and poignant.
The Perfect Day is a story with meat on its bones and heart in its plot. A book that I highly recommend.
WHERE TO FIND GUNNAR ANGEL LAWRENCE:
https://www.facebook.com/gunnarangel.lawrence
https://twitter.com/GunnarALawrence
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6445679.Gunnar_Angel_Lawrence
http://gunnarangellawrence.blogspot.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-perfect-day-gunnar-lawrence/1116237807?ean=2940045186636
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/339529
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20/
Did you find this post interesting? Would love to hear!
Want to get notified of more interesting posts? Just click on the Follow button.
You can also visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar
December 30, 2013
#RAFFLECOPTER #GIVEAWAY !
YOU deserve a free book! So don’t forget: ENTER THE #RAFFLECOPTER! The BIG day is FAST approaching and SOMEONE is going to #WIN! It MIGHT be YOU!
EASY to enter. Go to this link and follow the instructions.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20
YOU could WIN:
an ebook copy of the #thriller: A Perfect Day by Gunnar Angel Lawrence
an autographed paperback copy: Fair Play by Gunnar Angel Lawrence
an autographed paperback copy: Sketch of a Murder by Aya Walksfar
an autographed paperback copy: Dead Men and Cats by Aya Walksfar
an autographed paperback copy: Good Intentions by Aya Walksfar
Do you like Rafflecopter Giveaways? Do leave a comment!
Or visit Aya at http://www.facebook.com/AyaWalksfarAuthor
December 23, 2013
#INTERVIEW: THRILLER AUTHOR GUNNAR LAWRENCE
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20/
CHECK OUT THIS COOL GIVEAWAY! JUST CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO RAFFLECOPTER.
#INTERVIEW WITH #THRILLER WRITER GUNNAR ANGEL LAWRENCE
Why did you write this book?
It’s been on my mind since I first heard of the “Perfect Day” scenario plans discovered by US Military forces shortly after 9/11. It was a sort of “what would happen if” the horror that is a terrorist attack found its way to the most innocent and family friendly destination, Orlando, Florida.
How is your book different from other books about terrorists?
Most books pit an elite trained force (CIA, FBI, etc) against terrorists. In the Perfect Day, when the elite trained forces are scattered to the wind, it’s up to a detective, a reporter and a fraud examiner to do what they can.
Who is your favorite character and why?
I like Paul Friedman. He is a no nonsense kind of detective who is very good at his job. He’s observant, smart and has a personable feel to him. Gary Michaels is complex and has had a rough life going through what he has. It’s hard for me to choose just one.
How would you describe your writing style?
Fast paced. Action oriented.
Do you have other published books?
Yes. The first Paul Friedman thriller is entitled Fair Play. It’s the story of a pedophile and murderer who gets off on a technicality. I make a living as a freelance writer so many of the other books I have published are of non-fiction variety. There are also a number of adult titles that I did for a short period of time. I’m hoping to break out of that type of writing and stick with the thriller novels that I enjoy so much.
What advice would you give to new writers about self-publishing?
Keep writing. It is a hard road but there is an increasing number of indie authors who forego the traditional route and do so with pretty decent results. Things are changing in the publishing industry and it is becoming less and less desirable to opt for the old way of doing things.
How important is cover design and how did you decide on your cover?
Cover design is important because like it or not, people DO judge a book by it. When I saw the image in my search for The Perfect Day cover I knew I had the one I wanted. An hourglass set against a setting sun: it was just haunting.
What do you do when you aren’t busy writing?
I work full time as a freelance writer. When I am not writing for a new novel, or a work project, I am either reading or working out at the gym.
Who is your favorite author and why?
For thrillers, I really enjoy the Steven James works The Pawn, The Bishop, etc. Lots of action, lots of twists and turns and you just never know what is going to happen.
Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?
Hopefully, putting out a book every year or more. If I am able to sell enough so that I don’t have to write on the ebook or ghostwriting projects, it would be great for me and I could breathe a little more. After The Perfect Day comes the third book entitled, The Consortium. I’m hoping to finish that one in early 2015. If I’m not spending forty hours a week writing other things, it might be sooner.
#BOOKREVIEW BY AYA WALKSFAR: THE PERFECT DAY
A nail-biting thriller!
Gunnar Lawrence’s book hooked me from the first page. The author has woven a story full of surprising twists and turns. How does a homeless man figure in a series of seemingly unrelated murders? What does the killing of illegal immigrants have to do with the past war in Iraq?
The descriptions are spare, but they draw the reader right into the scene.
The characters are so well-drawn that I felt like I wanted to help that homeless man, assist that woman and her daughter; and they weren’t even the main characters!
It’s a novel with graphic violence that isn’t gruesome. That is a difficult thing to pull off.
The chapters give the reader different perspectives on the unfolding drama, but it is all woven into a tight story.
The subtle romance in the book doesn’t depend on sex or the ‘hottest looking…’ It’s real and poignant.
The Perfect Day is a story with meat on its bones and heart in its plot. A book that I highly recommend.
WHERE TO FIND GUNNAR ANGEL LAWRENCE:
https://www.facebook.com/gunnarangel.lawrence
https://twitter.com/GunnarALawrence
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6445679.Gunnar_Angel_Lawrence
http://gunnarangellawrence.blogspot.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-perfect-day-gunnar-lawrence/1116237807?ean=2940045186636
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/339529
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20/
Did you find this post interesting? Would love to hear!
Want to get notified of more interesting posts? Just click on the Follow button.
You can also visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar
December 17, 2013
#RAFFLECOPTER #GIVEAWAY!
YOU deserve a free book! So don’t forget: ENTER THE #RAFFLECOPTER! The BIG day is FAST approaching and SOMEONE is going to #WIN! It MIGHT be YOU!
EASY to enter. Go to this link and follow the instructions.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20
YOU could WIN:
an ebook copy: A Perfect Day by Gunnar Angel Lawrence
an autographed paperback copy: Fair Play by Gunnar Angel Lawrence
an autographed paperback copy: Sketch of a Murder by Aya Walksfar
an autographed paperback copy: Dead Men and Cats by Aya Walksfar
an autographed paperback copy: Good Intentions.
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!
EASY to enter. Go to this link and follow the instructions.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e40b20
YOU could WIN:
an ebook copy: A Perfect Day by Gunnar Angel Lawrence
an autographed paperback copy: Fair Play by Gunnar Angel Lawrence
an autographed paperback copy: Sketch of a Murder by Aya Walksfar
an autographed paperback copy: Dead Men and Cats by Aya Walksfar
an autographed paperback copy: Good Intentions.
December 16, 2013
THE TEN THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY #READERS
Had a wonderful gathering with some pretty interesting folks on Saturday. It was originally to be a writing seminar and book signing, but it turned out to be so much more! We all settled in at Reader’s Choice Bookstore and had a nice long chat. The one hour time limit stretched to one and a half hours before I even thought to look at a watch!
What I learned from these wonderful readers:
–short chapters are better than long chapters. It means if a reader is in a hurry they can still get a “book fix”; and sometimes, after reading a short chapter they are enticed to go ahead and read another chapter.
–hooks have to happen, hopefully, within the first few pages, and surely no further into the book than page 30.
–readers DO look at how well a book is put together: editing, spelling, timeline, dialogue, character consistency and so forth. They also get quite perturbed if somehow during printing or formatting a section of the book gets LEFT OUT! What makes them even madder is if no one responds to their complaint.
–one of the reasons they read a series is to watch the characters grow and develop. However, they appreciate it when the book can be read out of order, as a standalone story.
–a series that uses the same theme over and over can become boring to the reader. Make sure each book of the series is exciting and feels like a ‘brand new story’ and not just a rerun of a previous story.
HERE ARE SOME MORE GREAT THINGS I LEARNED:
–readers are fun to chat with!
–they appreciate it when an #author will talk, not just sign the book and go away.
–they have a lot of insights for an author who listens.
–they enjoy connecting with the authors they read
–they value author book recommendations
–OH, AND DID I TELL YOU THEY ARE FUN TO CHAT WITH?
Had a great time! Thanks to all of you who came to the Reader’s Choice Bookstore for our event and book signing.
Would love to hear what you want in the books you read! Leave a comment.
Visit Aya’s Amazon author page to learn more about her books: http://www.amazon.com/author/ayawalksfar
Friend Aya on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar
December 9, 2013
Special #Crimes Team #Christmas Plans
In the spirit of #Christmas and the upcoming #holidays, I asked the members of the Special Crimes Team about their plans for the day.
Lieutenant Williams: has invited Dr. Irene Nelson, FBI, to share #Christmas Day with his artist son, Danny, and him.
Sergeant Nita Slowater: plans a hike in the Mount Baker Wilderness area
Detective Frederick Albert: politely declined to share his plans
Detective Maizie O’Hara: will visit her #family and extended family where there will be a lot of singing, eating and gift giving
Officer Juan Rodriquez: will visit his brother who is currently serving time for murder
Officer Driscoll Mulder: will be hosting a Christmas Day feast for homeless gay and lesbian youths, “and any other homies who wanna show up”.
Ronald Arneau: will spend a quiet day with his mother
What are your plans for Christmas Day? Would love to hear.
Christmas tree and fireplace photo courtesy of: Petr Kratochvil, http://www.all-free-downloads.com
Be sure to fill those stockings with BOOKS!
ALL of my EBOOKS on SALE at Amazon for 99 cents! GREAT DEALS on print books, too! Visit me at http://www.amazon.com/author/ayawalksfar
