Interview with Cindy Smith

Interview of Cindy Smith
Poet, Author of Voices in My Head

Questions by R. Marcus

Can you tell me a little about yourself?  

I am married and drive a truck with my husband of 20 years.  We live in his hometown in Indiana.  I love living in the country so I can interact with nature.   I love flowers, gardening (which I don’t really get to do anymore), and cooking.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?  

I have written poetry as long as I can remember. The first I can recall was a second verse to a song I learned in Girl Scouts.

Were you inspired by someone or something?  

My real inspiration has been Dr. Seuss.  I love how he could rhyme anything!

What do you like about writing a story?  

I like to paint pictures with words—make people see, feel, smell what I am experiencing.

Can you tell us about your book?   

My book is a collection of poems on different topics.  It tells my versions of life as I find it.  Some have been written by request, to help someone express their feelings.

What genre best fits for the book?  

Poetry

Are you working on something new at the moment? 

I am working on another book of poetry.  I am in the editing stage now.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?  

Writers need to believe in themselves.  They need to remember you cannot please everyone.

Where can people go to read your work?  

Several of my poems are available to read on my 
Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/CindysVoices 

Author page:  http://tinyurl.com/clybzs8

Purchase at:

Amazon Paperback: http://tinyurl.com/cv6mcwg

Barnes and Noble:  http://tinyurl.com/cu4q7c8

Do you have anything to add? 

Hugs, Love and Great Karma to all!

Stonebridge Manor Review

Stonebridge Manor               

Written by Peter C. Bradbury

Reviewed by R. Murry

I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but I have read enough of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels to have figured out who-done-it before the last clues were arrived at, when reading a clone. This is not one.  Maybe it’s because I have read so many mysteries and have good intuitive abilities.  Who knows?

Mr. Bradbury’s novel had me stumped until the end.  He meticulously and slowly develops his characters and story for the first half of the book, bringing you into the workings of an English Manor.  This is needed to hook the read; and it was written very carefully.  You get to know all the characters that might have done the deed beforehand.

Phillip, one of the main characters, is a butler in one of Lord Baldwin’s houses.  He is commanded, so to speak, to come to Stonebridge Manor to help in the servicing of a weekend gathering by Lady Baldwin for her friends and lovers.

The killing you don’t find out about until the appropriate time.  However, one may guess who the victim will be, because of the person’s manner of living.

All is well, sex and hatred aside, until the body is found.  All who are at the weekend affair are suspect, even the one who confesses to the crime.

Good police investigative work through all the kinds of well written side stories leads to a conclusion that I did not foresee.

Maybe you can pick the killer out earlier than I did by reading this character driven novel.  I enjoyed the challenge.

Thank You Peter.

Mr. Peter C. Bradbury’s link: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPeterC.Bradbury

Peter Bradbury Interview

Interview with

Peter C. Bradbury,

Author of Stonebridge Manson         

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I’m an out of work English butler living in Rio Vista, California, USA.  It’s situated on the delta between Sacramento and San Francisco.  I’m a big soccer fan and golfer.  I moved to the USA in 1994 after marrying my beautiful American wife.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

No, I don’t.  Stonebridge Manor is my first published novel.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I’m always asked what it’s like to be a butler, working for very wealthy people.  So, I wrote this novel.

What do you like about writing a story?

I like getting into the flow of it and because of that I tend to write in spurts, rather than doing a certain number of words every day.

Can you tell us about your book?

Stonebridge Manor is a murder mystery set in a huge English mansion very similar to the one I worked in.  Rather than being set in the twenties like the novels Downtown Abbey or the thirties Remains of the Day, its set in the nineties

What genre best fits for the book?

English Murder Mystery

Are you working on something new at the moment?

Yes, I’ve already completed books two and three and am now writing number four.  I was recently taken on by a publishing house who will be publishing three and four and re-publishing Stonebridge Manor and book number two Prospects.  That was about serial killing brothers in San Francisco, which was inspired by the amount of missing people there are.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

I think too many get caught up in theory, and they must do this and do that.  Just write the story.  Somerset Maugham once said, “There are three rules for writing, but I can’t remember them.”  I totally agree.

Where can people go to read your work?

People can read the first three chapters of Stonebridge Manor at:   http://petercbradbury.wordpress.com/

Do you have anything to add?

I can be found at http://www.donnaink.org/ and https://petercbradbury.com/  along with twitter @petercbradbury and at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPeterC.Bradbury

Although I’m now with a publisher, it takes time for them to publish your work as there is a lot to it, especially before a book is published.  As an Indie author, you don’t even think about that stuff, it’s all about getting the book out first.  I will continue to support and promote other authors as long as I’m able to.  I’m now bound to my publisher’s wishes.

Good luck to everyone who has a book out there or is writing one, persevere, but tell your story in your own style.

Author Roy Murry,  Thank you for having me.

Review of If Love was Enough

Two Short Stories by                  

Regina Puckett                        

If Love was Enough

            And

   Balloon Wishes
(Angel Collection, 
     Book 1&2)

Reviewed by R. Murry

I took note of what an actor on the TV program Bones said the other day.  Yes, TV.  “God gave us words, so we could put wings on them.” Profound.

Ms. Puckett has put wings on her words in her two short stories that I recommend to be read one after the other, because of a common theme.  However, each holds its own as an inspirational motivator.

I’m a fan of Og Mandino, a Christian inspirational writer of the first caliber.  Regina Puckett’s stories are close to that degree of excellence. 

She takes a simple occurrence that has happened to everyone in the world – the death of a loved one and turns it into a faith changing event.  Her words - those of her characters figuratively speaking - sail into heaven.  One must have faith to believe this to occur.

Ms. Puckett’s main characters question their beliefs and are not always answered in the way one may understand, but they are answered.  These answers Ms. Puckett poses are faith based, but don’t impose a religion on the reader.

She uses Love as her main theme, which motivates us all to do what is right for ourselves.  Ms. Puckett conveys this well in her prose.

For two dollars, I believe, you will be pleased with yourself after reading these two well written Faith Builders.

All of her novels and short stories are on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=regina+puckett

     

   

Interview with Regina

Interview with Regina Puckett,      

Author of If Love was Enough

And many other novels

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I live in Tennessee with my husband of forty years and have been writing for around forty-six years.  I work for the same university I received my degree from and absolutely love my job.  Some of my best supporters are my coworkers.  They tell me they love each and every thing I write, even when they don’t.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

In the seventh grade my best friend and I decided to begin our writing careers by trying our hands at penning torrid romances.  Of course the only way I knew to write a love scene was to write the word kiss about forty times.  I mean how else was the reader supposed to understand that the couple was kissing for a very long time if I didn’t say the word over and over again?  Unfortunately, as soon as my mom saw my stories, she stopped me from writing for a short time. But in the end, you really can’t keep a determined writer down for very long.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I don’t remember any certain person or event inspiring me to write.  To me it’s just something I can’t keep from doing.  Even if I don’t have a pen, paper or computer at my disposal, I have characters and story lines running through my head. The strangest things will catch my attention and that will set me to thinking about what if?  I have to find a way to fill in those blanks or it will drive me crazy. I have lost a lot of sleep completing the story lines for all of those what-ifs over the years.

What do you like about writing a story?

I might be just a little bit of a control freak so while I have very little control over the people in my own life, I have total control over the characters in my stories.  In my romances the men never lie and once they fall in love they never fall out of love.  In my world, there may be bad people but the good people are really good, and not just bad people hiding behind a facade of goodness.

Can you tell us about your book?

In my short story, If Love was Enough, I try to answer the question of why does it seem like there are times when God isn’t listening to our prayers.  Is it because he’s really not listening or is there another reason behind his silence?

April is pregnant with her first child and even though she has prayed every day for God to bring her husband, Adam, home safely from the war in Iraq, he is killed just days before he was scheduled to return to her.  This shakes April’s faith to the core so to let her know she hasn’t been deserted, God sends a very special angel to answer her questions about whether or not he was listening and why his answer to all of her prayers was no.

What genre best fits for the book?

Inspirational

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I’m actually working on something old.  In December I received the rights to my very first published romance novel, Concealed in my Heart, so I’m in the early stages of the revamping and rewriting process for it. I didn’t think it would take very long to edit since it had already been published.  I soon discovered my writing style had changed so I made the decision to totally rewrite the book.  Once I deleted the first thirty pages I remembered just how much I loved its story-line and characters, so I’m excited to see how it is going to turn out.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

My only advice is to write and to never give up on your dreams.  It doesn’t matter how far fetched they are because nothing is out of reach if you keep working at it.

Where can people go to read your work?

All of her novels and short stories are on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=regina+puckett

Do you have anything to add?

Stop by my website and there you will find all of my future projects and where you can find my books.

http://reginapuckettsbooks.weebly.com/index.html

I would love to see you on Twitter.

@ReginaPucket

The Bones of Odin

The Bones of Odin                  

By David Leadbeater

Reviewed by R. Murry

If you’re a speed reader, you’ll have to slow down you’re pace to enjoy this fast pace a la Indiana Jones type adventure story.  In this action filled novel, there are more action characters than one.

Matt Drake is the catalyst that brings them all together to try and uncover The Bones of Odin.

Odin was a mythical god.  Or was he real?  A shield is uncovered, which leads to the coming together of all the pieces, leading to whether the myth is true or false.  If true, the world will come to an end when all the pieces are aligned correctly.  

Not a new theme, but Mr. Leadbeater’s version is so well written that you’ll come away believing the tale.  His participants, including selfless and intelligent Drake, give credibility to the story with their sometimes herculean feats.  Reading about this mixed batch of individuals, who overcome their fears, was entertaining.

The madness in the world confronts our heroes. They go through hell to get to heaven in traversing two continents in fighting that madness. Each individual, having their baggage, is trying to overcome their adversaries. 

Drake, with a secret service background, is trying to become a civilian, but can’t overcome his ingrained traits which are in tack and were needed to foil off the enemy.  You’ll have to read the book to understand the other characters’ challenges.

All in all, if you like action, this is a book for you.  There is lots of well written high kicking action in the novel.  I’ll follow Matt Drake on his next adventure. Will you?

Book:

Amazon Author Central page UK – http://amzn.to/UQLLes

Amazon Author Central page USA - http://amzn.to/UzDmyU

Interview with David Leadbeater

Interview with

David Leadbeater

                                                      
Author of

The Bones Of Odin, Book 1

Matt Drake Series

Questions by R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I’m a UK author who enjoys writing in many different genres. My Matt Drake action/adventure series has been very successful in the UK and US. Chosen, the first in my supernatural thriller series, has also proved to be quite popular. I am married with two beautiful young daughters, aged 1 and 4. I also work a full-time job and find a little time to write on an evening.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

Oh yes, I have a lasting memory of the first book I wrote – a horror story called Claws which I submitted to a publisher whilst still at school. They lost it. This was my first experience of publishers.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I was inspired by the hundreds books and stories I devoured whilst in my teens. Fantastic tales read by Stephen King, Graham Masterton, Tolkien and Donaldson, H.P.Lovecraft and David Eddings.

What do you like about writing a story?

I love developing the story from scratch and seeing where it takes me, the further afield the better. For example I’ve always wanted to write a passage where one of my characters gets cast adrift at sea and finds a desert island. The next Matt Drake book gives me the perfect chance to do that – it actually fits right into the plot, which excites me no end. Can’t wait to start!

Can you tell us about your book?

The Bones of Odin is the first in an initial four part series. Here is a sample from the blurb –

   Did ancient Gods like Odin and Zeus and Thor once really exist?
The time has come for a grand adventure filled with high excitement and explosive action.
   Matt Drake, a retired SAS officer, must unravel a mystery older than time in his search for the Nine Pieces of Odin. Though scattered eons ago, it is believed that once the Pieces are reunited they will show the way to the Tomb of the Gods- the greatest archaeological find of all time.
   From a rocket attack on the Louvre to a battle in a Swedish cavern, from a daring helicopter raid on New York's National History Museum to an assault on a gangsters mansion in Hawaii, Matt Drake must find the world's oldest treasure in one of the wildest places on earth, searching for the very bones of the Gods with the spoils of victory being the entire world.

What genre best fits for the book?

It was written for the Action and Adventure genre.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I have just finished the fourth book in the Matt Drake series, entitled The Tomb of the Gods, and  I am currently plotting the fifth whilst also developing a brand new series in the Action/Adventure genre. I am also fine-tuning books 2 and 3 of the Chosen Few trilogy, which I've been fully planned for some time now.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

I would say – if you love writing just keep at it. Don’t let anything dissuade you. At the end of the day, if you love what you are doing then the success doesn't really matter. If there are any aspiring Indie authors reading this there are some beginner’s tips on my blog under the title ‘EBook Publishing (A brief guide for beginners).

Where can people go to read your work?

My Amazon Author Central page UK – http://amzn.to/UQLLes

My Amazon Author Central page USA - http://amzn.to/UzDmyU

Do you have anything to add?

Just, thanks for having me, Roy. Our indie community is thriving at the moment so here’s to a great 2013!

The Transient, Book One of The Castle Trilogy

The Transient

Book One of The Castle      

Trilogy by

Maree Ward-Russell

Reviewed by R. Murry

Our five senses: sight, taste, touch, hearing and smell are very important to our livelihood as human beings.  We can’t live happily unless they’re functioning correctly.  Add in love and I think you have hit all the mental points to a healthy life. 

Ms. Maree hits all those points with words.  She writes in a way that you use all your senses with emotion, while reading this paranormal suspense for Young Adults.  However, us adults – I’m 64, will enjoy the turmoil that the main character Melody goes through in this adventure.

Melody falls in love as a seventeen year old.  There’s nothing new in that.  We all have had our first loves.  From her home in the Pacific, she and her father move to a castle in New England, U.S.A., where she gets her first taste of another world.

Her new adventure includes three delightfully diverse teenagers, who become her close friends.  The other main character is a Transient.  You’ll have to read the novel to get a correct explanation as to what one is.  I’ll just say, not to give away the ghostly tale, is an image of a man that Melody falls in love with, as he does her.  Teenagers - go figure?    

This story has all the ingredients that keep the reader on their toes.  You’re always looking around the corners to see what lurks.  Ms. Maree Ward-Russell leaves you wanting to read Book 2, which I will gladly purchase, as I did this one.

The novel is a great read for young and old.  I learn something new every time I review a Young Adult book - still young at heart, I guess.  If you’re too, check out  Ms. Ward- Russell’s The Transient out.

Links to Maree Ward-Russell’s #Interview @ Bubblews: http://bit.ly/1fXUdRn