Heroes and Lovers Review

Review of                           

Heroes and Lovers

By Wayne Zurl

Reviewed by R. Murry

My uncle Lou used the word spiffy to infer that an individual had class, was cool, and had his act together.  Yes, the 60’s.  I’m dating myself again.  I don’t think spiffy is a real word, but it describes Mr. Zurl’s character Sam Jenkins and spell check didn’t put a red line under spiffy.  Sam is a hero with style.

Wayne’s characters come alive in a small Southern State in the United States of America where the day to day life of a relocated New York gray haired detective is accounted for.  Criminal events happen that must be rectified.  Mr. Zurl goes into some detail in his interview below.  I won’t.

What I’ll say is the character Sam is the center of resolving crimes against his town where he is the Chief of Police. The whole story revolves around how he intellectually finds clues that others don’t see.  Not because he is such a brain, but because of his investigative street smarts that they don’t have in the Smokies.

Sam’s wit is sometimes over bearing, but enjoyable to the reader. Not so for the other characters he is surrounded with.  To them, he comes across as not being sensitive enough at times.  He feels he is and can’t understand why they don’t get it.

Here’s where the love comes in.  Three women love him: his wife, a reporter, and his police desk sergeant.  They’re all in love with him on different levels.  Fair to say, this presents some uneasiness for Sam, who tries to understand the why.  

Even though he jokes about these subconscious affairs going on, they pop up to the surface.  Sam is oblivious to the underlining affect.  All the three women try to explain with some break through.

The adventures in this light crime chronicle are appealing to the reader who wants to enjoy a read that is not over bearing with a blood and guts story.  Heroes and Lovers is a fun read with some frills attached. 

Buy at amazon:  http://amzn.to/1IuSeYr
  

     

Interview with Wayne Zurl

Interview with 
Wayne Zurl, Author of 

Heroes and Lovers

Questions by R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Shortly after World War Two I was born in Brooklyn, New York. Although I never wanted to leave a community with such an efficient trolley system, I had little to say in my parents’ decision to pick up and move to Long Island where I grew up.

Like most American males of the baby-boomer generation, I spent my adolescence wanting to be a cowboy, soldier, or policeman. Of course, all that was based on movies and later television. The Vietnam War accounted for my time as a soldier.

After returning to the US and separating from active duty, the New York State Employment Service told me I possessed no marketable civilian skills. So, I became a cop. That was as close to military life as I could find. Now that I’m retired from the police service, I still like the cowboy idea, but have interrupted that aspiration with an attempt at being a mystery writer.

Years ago I left the land of the Big Apple, and live in the picturesque foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with my wife, Barbara.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

I remember taking an elective English workshop in high school and probably wrote several stories there, but I can’t remember any of them. The first fiction I had published was a novelette called A LABOR DAY MURDER.

I based it on a gambling raid I led at an after-hours club in New York. Like all the Sam Jenkins mysteries, I transplanted the case to Tennessee and gave it a little Smoky Mountain flavor by adding some non taxed moonshine to the illegal card game. The story-worthy problem came after finding a handgun linked to an unsolved homicide.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone mystery series inspired me to develop the Sam Jenkins stories. Stone was a former LAPD detective who took a chief’s job in the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts. I figured I was a cop and Parker wasn't  I could draw from twenty years of war stories and turn them into fiction. How hard could it be to make a retired New York detective a Tennessee police chief? I soon learned getting fiction published wasn't a walk in the park.

What do you like about writing a story?

I’ll always say writing is fun. The post-publication marketing is too much like work. Taking an idea from one or more actual cases or incidents, fictionalizing and embellishing it to a standard of marketable fiction is like making something from raw materials. 

Getting a finished product good enough to be “sold” to a publisher is gratifying. Those finished products satisfy my creative need. And it’s easier to stack up manuscripts or books than model airplanes and oil paintings.

Can you tell us about your book?

HEROES & LOVERS is a composite of real incidents. The initial sting operation used to prosecute a flim-flam artist is the kind of thing cops do all the time. It allowed me to get Sam and TV reporter Rachel Williamson together again and put people in certain places at inopportune times. The more complex problem was based on an assault and attempted rape of someone I knew. 

I used a kidnapping to prolong the incident and add that extra tension readers like. This story shows a darker side of Sam Jenkins atypical from the other books and novelettes. Sometimes cops do things they wouldn't ordinarily do if they become too personally involved with a case.

Here’s the book jacket summary:

Sam Jenkins might say, “Falling in love is like catching a cold.  It’s infectious and involuntary. Just don’t sneeze on any innocent people.” 

Getting kidnapped and becoming infatuated with a married policeman never made Knoxville TV reporter Rachel Williamson’s list of things to do before Christmas. 

Helping her friend, Sam Jenkins, the ex-New York detective and now police chief in Prospect, Tennessee, with a fraud investigation sounded exciting and would get her an exclusive story. 

But Sam’s investigation put Rachel in the wrong place at the wrong time and her abduction by a mentally disturbed fan, ruined several days of her life.

When Jenkins learns Rachel has gone missing he mobilizes all personnel at Prospect PD and enlists his friends from the FBI to help find her.

During the early stages of the investigation, Sam develops several promising leads, but as they begin to fizzle, his prime suspect drops off the planet and all the resources of the FBI isn't helping.

After a little old-fashioned pressure on an informant produces an important clue, the chief leads his team deep into the Smoky Mountains to rescue his friend.  But after Rachel is once again safe at home, he finds their problems are far from over.

And if anyone is in the mood for a short film with some really cool music, here’s the video trailer link: http://youtu.be/koFYAGc6I3U

What genre best fits for the book?

It’s a police mystery with a pinch of thriller tossed in.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I've just finished revisions and my portion of editing on another full-length novel called PIGEON RIVER BLUES. As soon as my wife proofreads it, I’ll ship it off to the publisher for his editor to take a look. Here’s my idea of a dust jacket summary:

Winter in the Smokies can be a tranquil time of year—unless Sam Jenkins sticks his thumb into the sweet potato pie.

The retired New York detective turned Tennessee police chief is minding his own business one quiet day in February when Mayor Ronnie Shields asks him to act as a bodyguard for a famous country and western star.

C.J. Profitt’s return to her hometown of Prospect receives lots of

publicity . . . and threats from a right-wing group calling themselves The Coalition for American Family Values.

The beautiful, publicity seeking Ms. Proffit never fails to capitalize on her abrasive personality by flaunting her alternative lifestyle—a way of living the Coalition hates.

Reluctantly, Jenkins accepts the assignment of keeping C.J. safe while she performs at a charity benefit. But Sam’s job becomes more difficult when the object of his protection refuses to cooperate. 

During this misadventure, Sam hires a down-on-his-luck ex-New York detective and finds himself thrown back in time, meeting old Army acquaintances who factor into a complicated plot of attempted murder, the destruction of a Dollywood music hall, and other general insurrection on the “peaceful side of the Smokies.”

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

I've learned something very important from having my stories produced as audio books. Listening to what you write gives you a better perspective than just reading it to yourself over and over again. Ending up with a cadence or writing voice that sounds good to a reader is just as important as any other aspect of writing. So, I’d recommend to take what you believe is a finished product, lock yourself in a room or sit in the woods, and read your story aloud. You will pick up little things that need to be rephrased or tightened up every time.

When you’re peddling your work to an agent or publisher, who accepts submissions directly from an author, NEVER GIVE UP. Don’t think that just because one or two dozen people reject you, all is lost.

Where can people go to read your work?

A good place to start is at my website. Readers can find all my published works, a chronology of the stories, summaries and excerpts, reviews and endorsements, and even photos from the areas when the action takes place. Then, all the larger sellers have given me author pages. 

Here’s a list of links:

Author website:  http://www.waynezurlbooks.net 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/waynezurl 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/waynezurl

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4158372.Wayne_Zurl

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/waynezurl 

B&N author page: http://barnesandnoble/s/wayne-zurl

Amazon direct link: http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Lovers-Wayne-Zurl/dp/0985138890/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346682245&sr=1-16&keywords=wayne+zurl

Barnes & Noble direct link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heroes-and-lovers-wayne-zurl/1111849688?ean=9780985138899

Mind Wings Audio author page: http://mindwingsaudio.com/?s=wayne+zurl

Do you have anything to add?

Sure. I’d like to thank you for reading my book and inviting me to your blog to meet your fans and followers. Since I’m writing this on December 17^th, I’d like to wish everyone a happy holiday—no matter which one you celebrate, and a healthy New Year.

Animal Passions

Animal Passions

      Written by

Melody Snow Monroe

Reviewed by R. Murry

Lara, the main character in Ms. Monroe’s sizzling novel, tells a friend about what happened to her when she disappeared days ago.  She says, “I stumbled upon what is called an alignment point and landed in an alternate reality.”  I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that phrase. 

“An alternate reality” is where Lara was according to this entertaining story of how she falls in love.  In that reality, her two male lovers are shape-shifters.  They shift from humans to lions, protecting their beloved Anterra. 

These men are the border patrollers.  That is how they come upon Lara at an alignment point, which comes and goes at will near the border.  At the time, they were battling their enemy the shape-shifters, the wolves, which often happens.

This paranormal shifter novel has all the right ingredients to keep the reader involved.  Ms. Monroe’s characters are well defined, and the story moves at a good pace until you hit the sex scenes, where the pace moves faster to the point of ecstasy for the characters and the reader.

Those encounters bring Lara closer to her partners than she wishes.  She wants to return to her reality – her friends, work as a movie star, and the pleasures of earth.  Only her lovers can return her to mother earth, on the other side of the alignment point. 

You’ll have to read the book for yourself to see if Lara’s true reality is arrived at.   I was going to use a corny phrase said by Lara near the end of the story, but it would be a give-away. 

I recommend this enjoyable read to those who like encounters by threesomes. Have ice cold water nearby to keep you cooled down during the read – it’s hot.

Melody Snow Monroe

Interview with Melody Snow Monroe

Author of Animal Passions and many others

Interviewed by R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I taught high math, economics, and photography for years until I decided I wanted to write full time. I joined RWA in 2001 and belong to two local chapters. What’s helped me the most is meeting some amazing authors who were so willing to share their wisdom.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

I am probably one of the few authors who never wrote stories-other than for school assignments (note the math background). I did, however, love to read. I started with Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler and Kathleen Woodiwiss (my mom was a huge romance reader). When my book buying began to impact our finances, my husband suggested - why I don’t write a book. I figured how hard could it be? Answer? Damned hard.

BTW. My first book is still “under the bed.”

Were you inspired by someone or something?

My husband thought I could do it. Ha. I am a natural storyteller, but it took years and years of honing my craft to learn how to write.

What do you like about writing a story?

I love coming up with characters and putting them through their paces. When I write, I get to control things (actually my characters control me. Hmm. Maybe I’m really a submissive—okay not going there)

Can you tell us about your book?

ANIMAL PASSIONS was a complete diversion from the previous 23 books that I had written. I’d only done contemporary and wanted to branch out. I put myself in my heroine’s head and wondered what would it really be like if you went for a walk in the woods and ended up in an alternate reality where men shifted into lions and wolves? Hence the story was born. And boy was I hooked on shifter stories. The men are so alpha and yummy.

What genre best fits for the book?

ANIMAL PASSIONS is a paranormal shifter story with two men and one woman (Ménage)

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I have 5 books in the High-Country Shifter series (only 4 are out—ANIMAL PASSIONS is the first in that series). I wrote another 5 book series set in Delight, North Carolina in which panther shifters are trying to keep their identity secret. What’s different about this series is that encoded into their DNA is the fact that when they meet their mate, they know it immediately. Too bad the mate might not want anything to do with them. That’s my Panther Cove series.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Write, write and write some more. I write 4000 words a day, go to meetings, and connect with other writers. I think entering contests really helped me develop a thick skin. Listen to people. If three or more tell you the same thing, consider what they have to say.

Where can people go to read your work?

My books can be found either on the Siren website at http://www.bookstrand.com/melody-snow-monroe

Or on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=melody+snow+monroe&x=0&y=0

Do you have anything to add?

If you read an author’s work and like it, either give it a rating, a like, click on the tags, or write a review. Remember, we are people, too.

Also, it is NEVER too late to start. If twelve years ago, someone had said I’d be a bestselling author, I would have laughed. Now, I’m smiling.

THE BEGINNING

THE BEGINNING, Book I

Author Margaret A. Millmore     

Reviewed by R. Murry

Imagination is a gift and putting it down on paper is a challenge.  Ms. Millmore has met that object by presenting a novel for readers of vampire and werewolf cult adventures.  She takes a group of friends brought together by fate and follows their growth into young adulthood, where they all but one, dream similar visions.

These unbelievable figments are put together through brainstorming by the group led by Clare, the narrator, and Kate, the one not hallucinating.  It is interesting to note they all believe they are going out of their minds except Kate, who intelligently helps the group understand what is happening.  Kate notices everyone’s change in behavior over the years.  In the end, they reach a common ground of understanding  - they're different than the rest of humanity.

Margaret Millmore developed her characters well.  The reader will understand why one character in the group is going to be a vampire and another will turn into a werewolf.  This is explained in conversations between Clare and Charlie a man she met in her dreams and in real life through Margaret’s characterization.    

The story is well told in detail.  It is slowly developed to lay the foundation of what will be, in my opinion, an interesting adventure series of the good battling evil – this group against the Dark Ones, who destroy humanity for their perverted end.  Good vampires and werewolves care for humanity as told in the story.

Ms. Millmore has done a fine job of keeping the reader interested.  I, being a non-believer and never thought I would read this type of book, was completely drawn in.  She kept me wondering if the story was plausible.  Now, if you are a believer, you’ll be hooked by her chronicle of young vampires and werewolves.

Links to her and her novels are below in Ms. Millmore’s interview.

 

Margaret A. Millmore

Interview of 
Margaret A. Millmore, 
Author of Book I : 

THE BEGINNING

Questions by Roy Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? 

I’m a native Californian, and have lived in San Francisco since 1991 with my husband Bryan. I’m the grandniece of Irish author Benedict Kiely and the second cousin of Irish author Sharon Owens.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? 

Argh, that was so long ago…

Were you inspired by someone or something? 

I take inspiration from everything I experience on a daily basis. However my early literary loves were CS Lewis, Ray Bradbury and Stephen King.

What do you like about writing a story? 

Ever since I was a child I've been telling myself stories. Nothing is more cathartic than actually writing them down and seeing them develop and of course sharing them with others.

Can you tell us about your book?

The Four Series: They do exist and they always have. They live, love, and work among us and they are part of us. But they are different too, they are stronger and they live longer. They are the topic of many books, movies and myths, but their existence remains a secret, not everyone would accept them. And like us, they have those that are simply evil. Keeping these evil ones under control is the price they must pay to continue the lives they love. They must protect their human brethren from the Dark Ones, those that would rather kill than preserve.

Century after century the good battled the Dark Ones, always prevailing and preserving the lives of their beloved humans. In the 17^th century, two powerful Dark leaders emerged, they organized their forces and a bitter war ensued. It was a fight to the death and the good thought they’d won. Four warriors led the battle, four warriors whose strength was beyond anything they knew, four warriors whose legacy had to be protected…

The good formed a consortium and with the help of a powerful sorcerer, a spell was cast; a spell that would follow the warriors’ lineage in case their power was needed again. The warriors are long dead, but their heirs are not, and now they must fight. The Dark Ones have re-emerged, they are more powerful, more resourceful and they want to control mankind and the world.

The Beginning-Book I: Clare had an ideal life. She lived in the perfect little town, had a great family and four of the best friends in the world.  She also had nightmares, nightmares that plagued her for almost a decade. But these are not ordinary nightmares; they are premonitions, warnings of what is to come and what she will become.

She discovers that she isn't alone in these vile dreams; her friends are having them too. They are dreaming of their ancestors and their own future...  The discovery of their destiny and the future they must embrace is shocking and terrifying.

What genre best fits for the book? 

Unfortunately, I don’t think it fits neatly into one genre, it’s a suspense/thriller with a sub-genre of vampires and werewolves.

Are you working on something new at the moment? 

I’m currently working on books 3 and 4 of The Four Series as well as another full length novel.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? 

Writing and getting published is a daunting and frustrating task – Don’t give up! Edit, edit, edit!

Where can people go to read your work? 

All of my work is available at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Margaret-Millmore/e/B005ME8QTQ) as well as other major on-line retailers. For more information, visit: www.margaretmillmore.com

Do you have anything to add? 

Book II in The Four Series is now available and we expect to release Books III and IV in early 2013

Becoming Mona Lisa

Becoming Mona Lisa

      Written by Cat Holden Robinson

Reviewed by R. Murry

Developing characters is an art and takes time to bring them alive on the written page.  Ms. Robinson was able to bring alive her main protagonist Mona Lisa Siggs from the dead, figuratively speaking.  Mona and her husband Tom for years have drifted apart, loosing whatever connection they had when they courted and wed.

Here is where Holden Robinson begins a story that will have you crying and laughing at the same time.  The Siggs’ battle among themselves to return to the love they once had; they battle with Mother Nature; and they battle an antagonist who is out of his mind with loneliness.

After looking in the mirror, Mona makes a decision to get back her life that has been declining for years.  Living with a husband who she has lost verbal contact with, she probes him into active reaction by getting a makeover.  It works and the characters come out of their cocoons of living daily boring lives.

From here on in, this novel has you hoping for the best for this couple.  As they move into loving reconciliation, their relationship is hit with situations that are comical, heart breaking, life changing, and dramatic in nature.  The twists and turns will keep you reading, wanting to know what else could get in their way from getting back to that loving feeling they yearn for.

This romantic comedy will keep your eyes pegged to the page; and you may reminisce into how your relationship developed and flourished.   Ms. Robinson wrote a creditable story that one would believe that it really happened to the Siggs’ family.  Or, did this happen to you?

I know you romantics will love this read, as I did.  Publisher Black Rose Writing found another fine writer, as they did with me.  LOL!  Have a good read! 

Cat's fans can reach me through my website at http://www.holdenrobinsonproductions.com/,