Book Review: SHAM ROCK by Ralph McInerny

The protagonists of Sham Rock are brothers Roger and Philip Knight, a Notre Dame professor and a semi-retired private nvestigator.  When former Notre Dame student David Williams returns to the university to renegotiate his $20 million dollar donation for the construction of a new building, the long-ago and mysterious disappearance of a fellow classmate is resurrected.

David, Patrick, and Timothy were "the trinity" in their college days and Patrick, now a Trappist monk, accuses David of killing Timothy and burying the body on campus.  Problem is:  Instead of unearthing Timothy's body when they dig in the designated location, the Knights unearth a mystery of an entirely different nature.

The cast of characters in Sham Rock is delightful and engaging and the plot twists and turns will keep you guessing.  Sham Rock is a real page-turner--one I recommend you don't pass by.

If I were to rate Sham Rock on a scale of 1-10, I'd give it a 9.

(This is the thirteenth and final book of the Knight Series.  McInerny, author of over 50 books--including those in the Father Dowling series--passed away in January of 2010.)

Book Review: BOOK OF SPIES by Gayle Lynds

If you like some history thrown in with a thriller that contains mystery, suspense, espionage, and memorable characters, you should be adding BOOK OF SPIES to your summer reading list.

Judd Ryder, a former intelligence agent, learns that the Library of Gold just may exist.  For centuries, world rulers, historians, and even the Vatican have searched for Ivan the Terrible's personal library of priceless gold and jeweled-covered books dating back to the ancient Greeks.  One of the library's volumes, Book of Spies, surfaces and the CIA links the legendary library to a secret book club that may own the library, a bank account connected to terrorists, and the death of Judd's father.  Together, Ryder and the CIA turn to Eva Blake for help.  Eva's a rare books curator serving time in jail for the vehicular manslaughter of her husband.  Racing from London to Rome, Istanbul, and Athens, Ryder and Eva Blake must locate the library--and stay alive during the process.

The book has a complex plot that keeps readers guessing from the first page right through 'til the end.  A cast of unforgettable characters weaves its way through an endless maze of complications, plot twists, danger, betrayal, and murder.

BOOK OF SPIES is the first book in Gayle Lynds' new series and I can't wait for the next one.  On a scale of 1 o 10, I give this book a 9.5.

Interview with RICK CHESLER

You live in Hawaii, which those of us in the lower 48 imagine as paradise. Is it really paradise? Why? Why not? 

It depends on your definition of paradise. I live in Honolulu, which is a major urban center with traffic, crowding, skyscraper office buildings, homelessness, and crime--just like any other city, but with nicer weather and the beach always nearby. However, many other parts of the state—especially on the other islands-- offer pristine natural areas as well as small town, rural living with a true tropical island pace.

You have a B.S. in Marine Biology and work as an environmental project manager. How’d you get from there to being a mystery/thriller writer?

I’ve always had a fascination with the natural world and the ocean in particular. I was one of those kids who caught frogs and turtles and crayfish from streams and brought them home to live in terrariums. Later, I earned a degree in marine biology. Writing fiction, for me, is just another way to explore the world in which we live, albeit in a highly entertaining fashion.

Tell us about WIRED KINGDOM, your new thriller.

Wired Kingdom is my debut novel, a high-tech mystery about a whale tagged with a webcam that broadcasts a murder at sea. It was released May 25 this year, from Variance Publishing / Deviation Books. It is available in mass market paperback and various e-book formats, including Kindle.

What are you working on now?

It’s top secret at this point, but suffice to say that more action, adventure, intrigue, and cutting edge science & technology are on the way!

Share with us your road to publication: Are you an overnight success? Do you have an agent? Any special tips or advice to new authors?

Definitely not an overnight success. I wrote a couple of “practice” thriller manuscripts over the years before I wrote and eventually sold what was to become, after many versions, revisions and edits, Wired Kingdom.

I do not have an agent at this time.

The best advice I can give to new authors is to stay actively involved in promoting their work. It’s been surprising to me how many seemingly chance connections have resulted in a new reader. For new writers or aspiring authors, the best single piece of advice I can give is to read a lot within your chosen genre or area.

Do you have any special promotional activities currently underway in support of Wired Kingdom?

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do! Right now and until July 31, 2010, I have a giveaway contest running with Goodreads.com, the free social network for book lovers. All you have to do is have a (free) Goodreads account, and click the “Enter to Win” button on this page:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7975170-wired-kingdom

In return for entering, all I ask is that you spread the word by adding Wired Kingdom to your shelf and recommending it to your Goodreads friends. Winner will receive a signed copy of the book. Good luck!

What are the addresses of your websites, blogs, Facebook page, etc.?

My author website: http://rickchesler.com/
Wired Kingdom Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/WiredKingdomNovel
On publisher’s website: http://www.variancepublishing.com/books/wired-kingdom-by-rick-chesler.html
Author twitter: @RickChesler or http://www.twitter.com/RickChesler
Amazon page:  http://www.tinyurl.com/WiredKingdomOnAmazon


Thank you very much for having me on Author Exchange Blog. Happy reading!  -Rick

[Blog Hostess comment:  I reviewed Wired Kingdom earlier this month.  If you're interested in seeing my review, click here.]

New Release: FOREST OF CORPES by P.A. Brown

P.A. Brown, award-winning author of the L.A. Crime novels, announces the release of Forest of Corpes this month.  It is the sequel to Geography of Murder and is a Gay Police Prodecural with BDSM content.

Forest of Corpses is published by MLR Press and can be found at:  http://www.pabrown.ca/Foc.htm

You can visit P.A. Brown's website at:  http://www.pabrown.ca/

Interview with LINDA WEAVER CLARKE

You’ve lived in rural settings in Idaho and Utah and you’ve toured all over the U.S. What are your thoughts about choosing settings for books/stories and how they affect the characters?

I believe that an author must feel close to an area to be able to write about it. It brings authenticity to the story. It also helps the writer to build and develop characters that act like they are from that area, such as expressions and attitudes and clothes, etc. My new book, Anasazi Intrigue, is set in St. George, Utah, my home. The inspiration for this story came from a true experience that really happened right here in my little valley in southern Utah. The Santa Clara/Virgin River flood in 2005 was a terrible disaster. About two hundred homes were seriously damaged and twenty-five were completely destroyed. The small five-foot-wide river, which could easily be crossed on foot or in a car, grew as wide as the length of a football field, and it was taking everything in its path. In three days time, it had dug into the earth’s surface, carving away at the banks, creating ridges as high as forty feet deep. In fact, the river was moving at ten feet per hour, just like a plow pushing the dirt and trees down the river. Everyone worked hard to help the residents remove what they could from their homes before the flood hit, but there were those who escaped with only the clothes on their backs. The experience of charity and compassion by the people was incredible. There was no prejudice of religion, race, culture, or status, just unconditional love and concern for everyone. Homes, clothes, and food were instantly found for the homeless. We all gathered together and tried to help in anyway possible. Several weeks later, a man found his car thirty miles downstream from his home. But that wasn't the only inspiration. We also have the background of the Anasazi Indians.

You have six daughters. How does the mother-daughter relationships you’ve experienced affect your writing?

Actually, my daughters affect my writing quite a bit. In Anasazi Intrigue, I have taken the liberty of creating the daughters for John and Julia and gave them the personality and fun expressions of my three youngest daughters: Alaina, Serena, and Felicia. April has Alaina's personality, Sharlene is like Serena, and Faith is the spitting image of Felicia. When I told them what I did, they thought it was funny. And yes, my husband says that he feels "outnumbered" but he adores each of his daughters.

Share with us the importance of Family Legacy.

I teach people how to take their family history or their own autobiography and turn it into interesting stories. It’s important to teach our children their heritage. If these stories are unwritten, then they’ll be lost forever. Our children need to be proud of their ancestors. Leon Garfield said: “The historian, if honest, gives us a photograph; the storyteller gives us a painting.” What I’m teaching people to do is how to paint, to be the storyteller. Adults are usually the main audience, but I’ve attracted many teenagers who want to learn how to write. In fact, one library sponsored this workshop for a group of troubled teens. Writing helps to express one’s innermost feelings. It can be a healing process.

Tell us all about your latest book.

It’s about a devastating flood that takes out several homes in a small town, the importance of preserving ancient artifacts, and a few puzzling and mysterious events. Julia is a reporter, and when she finds out about a possible poison spill that kills some fish and neighbor's pets, she has a feeling that something isn’t quite right. Before she realizes what is happening, Julia finds out that this incident is much bigger and more dangerous than she thought. With dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants chasing John and Julia, they have their hands full. To read an excerpt from each of my books, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/.

Do you have any daily writing routines? A certain number of required pages or words?

I usually write in the morning when my mind is fresh and I don't feel any pressures of the day. I don't usually have a required amount of pages because I just "go with the flow."

What type of research goes into creating one of your mystery novels?

First, I find a subject that interests me. For example, with Anasazi Intrigue, I was interested in the Anasazi Indians right here in my valley. Who were they, where did they come from, how did they live? Many people wonder why they disappeared, leaving behind their belongings and valuables. Where did they go and why? There is much speculation about what might have happened. Some archaeologists believe that discord and tribal violence caused abandonment of the villages. In my research, I found that archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to find out about it. Did you know that an ancient funeral pit could be sold for $60,000 on the black market? Not to mention all the pottery, baskets, and pendants found by looters. Looting is only second to selling illegal drugs. It’s a very intriguing subject and I enjoyed learning so much in my research.

What are the addresses of your websites and blogs?

"The World of Make Believe" is my official website: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/
At my Author's Blog, I have fun interviewing authors and have book give-aways every Monday at: http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/