Review of Playing with Poison

Review of

Playing with Poison

By Cindy Blackburn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The one behind the eight ball has the ability to end the game when playing straight pool or for you Europeans pocket billiards. In Playing with Poison, the sleuth protagonist Jessie has the ability to end the game on a positive note by calling the right pocket.

However, she is put behind the eight ball, figuratively speaking, when a friend’s lover stumbles into her apartment unannounced. He says Jessie’s friend’s name and drops dead on her couch.

The novel starts with that shocker, but continues on, in a light hearted and humorous pace, as Jessie and her new detective friend Captain Rye proceed to find the killer. Of which, Jessie Hewitt, aka Adele Nightingale novelist, is one. How ridiculous, she mentioned to Rye, who has taken her couch away as evidence.

There is a cast of characters who wanted the dead-man dead, but only one did it. Jessie, who won’t let the police do their job, runs them all down to the anguish of Captain Rye.  Sarcasm and sexual intrigue enter into their conversations and non-conversations relating to the case.

Ms. Blackburn’s, first in a series, novel pleasantly entertains as her sleuth investigates using Jessie talk. The language of her romantic novelist character Jessie Hewitt is witty, direct at times and sarcastically on cue. Dialogue is what propels this mystery forward.

It’s interesting, that when Jessie misses putting the eight ball in the pocket, the crime is solved by her and her new acquaintance Wilson Rye, at the same time, from different points of view.  The ending is not what you’d expect. You’ll have to read it to find out.

Ms. Blackburns’ link www.cueballmysteries.com

     

       

Interview with John Cleever

Interview with

Author of Killing Sands

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

My Nom-de-Plume is John Cleever.

I’m a veteran in the vision media industry, mostly working on feature films and television on four continents over forty years. I am married with four permanently young but ageing children.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

The first story I wrote was a western screenplay in the Agatha Christie style; full of red herrings and misleading dialogue.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I was inspired by my Father’s love of westerns and, being the head of the house, we tended to follow his lead.

What do you like about writing a story?

I’m keen on the concept of it being as much an adventure writing it as hopefully it will be for the reader. Writers can fiddle with reader’s emotions and my endings are never plotted; they happen as the story dictates.

Can you tell us about your book?

I’d much prefer you read it. It is a busy first novel and gathers pace as the action unfolds. Unlike many novels,  “ KILLING SANDS”  has two main plots that bump into each other at the crescendo.

What genre best fits for the book?

I’d place this book as a classic “goodies v baddies” action, adventure thriller; easy to read yet easy to put down.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I’m always doing something, Roy. Currently, there are three feature film screenplays I’m helping to develop for next year and I’m dusting off a bunch of short stories I cobbled together a few years ago. All things being equal, they should be E published before Christmas, tentatively entitled “TRAVEL SHORTS”.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

The best tip I could give would be to remind the writer his performance will be judged by “them” so don’t write it for “you”.

Where can people go to read your work?

My work is available on Amazon or via my website which is:-  http://www.davidballmovieman.com/writing.html

Do you have anything to add?

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to say a few words Roy and for allowing me to become a friend. This valuable service contributes to the creation of an awareness of writers you would probably never otherwise hear of, especially the non USA writers. Thanks so much for the use of the “apple box”. Be well, stay well and read well!  JC.

Interview with Cindy Blackburn

Interview of Cindy Blackburn  

Author of Playing with Poison

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I’m kind of boring. That’s why I write about Jessie. She’s far more fascinating! Me? I was born in Vermont, raised in NJ, and now live in SC. I read, write, walk, drink wine, play with my cat, and do typical middle aged lady stuff.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? I wrote a story about my pet hamster Hazel when I was 6. My mother liked it!

Were you inspired by someone or something? Other writers inspire me, as do my friends in Sisters in Crime, the Romance Writers of America, and my critique group. And, my hubby John has encouraged me from the get-go

What do you like about writing a story? I love writing dialogue. I love it when my characters start speaking for themselves and I’m just there as the secretary recording what they tell me to.

Can you tell us about your book? Murder meets menopause. Take a guess which wins. Pool shark Jessie Hewitt usually knows where the balls will fall and how the game will end. But when a body lands on her couch and the cute cop in her kitchen accuses her of murder, even Jessie isn't sure what will happen next. Playing With Poison is a cozy mystery with a lot of humor, a little romance, and far too much champagne.

What genre best fits for the book? Cozy Mystery

Are you working on something new at the moment? Yes! Thanks for asking! Book four in the Cue Ball Mysteries, FOUR PLAY should be ready sometime in November.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write every day, even if only for a few minutes. Join local writers groups. Writers are nice people and very willing to share their knowledge and skills.

Where can people go to read your work? All three Cue Ball Mysteries are available on Amazon! And my website has some more details about me and the books. That’s at www.cueballmysteries.com

Do you have anything to add? Just  I give you a big huge thanks for letting me join you today. Cheers.

Review of A Perfect Setup

Review of Douglas Wickard's
A PERFECT SETUP 

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The world revolves around Sami Saxton, as it seems in this complex character driven novel. The author delves into the background of the main women characters to the point of telling us their intimate sexual preferences and choices of men. Sami’s ex is the only male character that women migrate towards. That is the reason for their parting ways – other women.

A young woman is murdered and the story begins. Sami’s ex, Jerry, is the prime suspect, but he wasn’t there at the time of the crime. Sami living her somewhat psychogenic existence believes that Jerry could never kill anyone. Or, could he?  

The development of Mr. Wickard’s attractive Sami Saxton character has her in a delightful existence in New York City with her lovable dog. In her journeys around town, the reader gets a taste of the big apple. She drives taxi cab drivers crazy with her back seat driver’s attitude. But in all other parts of her life, she has little clue as to where she is going or what is happening around her.

This mystery is thrilling at points, because of Sami’s mental aliments which are minor and controllable with legal prescriptions. However, mixed with wine she gets the feeling that someone is out to get her. They are, but it’s not who she thinks it is.

Mr. Wickard keeps the reader’s attention using the character’s explanations as to why they are doing what they’re doing. Some of the explanations are intriguing and entertaining.

The novel is a quick read that a reader of suspense novels will find captivating. I can’t wait to see what will happen to Sami in her next adventure. Or, should you?

Purchase: http://
amzn.to/SPl3WK

Interview of David Ronwinski

Interview with David Ronwinski,

Author of The Open Pillow

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? My name is David Rowinski. I grew up in New Jersey-went to school with Dea Lenihan, the illustrator of The Open Pillow. Then I escaped for college at UMass where I studied English, Communications and Arabic.

After school I worked construction, as a security guard, and eventually spent a year in Egypt teaching English before working at a youth hostel in Athens and survived on borrowed money in Budapest the year the Communist regime fell. I also spent time in Zurich working as a PCA. I am married to the Kenyan/Tanzanian musician Sali Oyugi and split time between East Africa and Amherst, Ma where I am painting houses to pay bills.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?  Yes, it was Unfortunately-Planet of the Dog Men, which was my take on Planet of the Apes.

Were you inspired by someone or something?  I am inspired by my wife whose talent and dedication continue to amaze me.

What do you like about writing a story?  I enjoy the feeling when things suddenly fall into place and a story makes sense beyond what I had initially envisioned.

Can you tell us about your book?  The Open Pillow has its roots in my putting a friend’s son to bed. He asked for a story about an open pillow. My first thought was a torn pillow with feathers everywhere but it occurred to me that open could mean growing. Improperly placed in a flower bed, the pillow encounters rejection from various animals but continues to grow as it seeks it place in the world. The book introduces the concept of exponential thought and the notion of growth with aspects of animal behavior.

What genre best fits for the book? Though it is a children’s bedtime story the notion of persistence in pursuit of goals should never be outgrown.

Are you working on something new at the moment? Yes, The Book of Complements which morphed beyond a children’s book into something somewhat unclassifiable that I am tentatively calling graphic poetry or illustrated myth. There is a book trailer on Youtube.com under ‘BOC Trailer 080813’  I have a number of other ideas including a story arch called The Wending Tree and a novel about a shaman that is have been struggling with for years.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I shall give the most useful advice given from my wife, “Finish something.”

Where can people go to read your work? The Open Pillow can be ordered on Amazon, B&N, Smashword, etc but can also be requested at any brick and mortar store which I prefer in an effort to support local bookstores.

Do you have anything to add? Probably but I was renovating an apartment until 11:30 PM and it is now midnight so nothing is coming to mind apart from thank you.

Review of Pillow: http://bit.ly/1kOzhPp

The Open Pillow

THE OPEN PILLOW

Story by David Rowinski
  and
Illustrations by Dea Lenihan
     
Review by Author Roy Murry


This cute little story is one you want to introduce to your little ones. They will learn as the pillow develops. It grows by the numbers and meets many characters on its journey to fulfillment.

Using an easy to follow rhythm, David tells an unusual tale which can be repeated without boring a child. Dea's illustrations helps bring the story alive giving any child a delightful visual enhancement to David's words. 

Pillow arrives at its destination giving pleasure to its owner who found it in an unlikely situation - one of unused floundering in a flower bed; and we all know flowers don't need a pillows.

Delightful little book that will help your little ones learn about numbers and life.

The Eric Carle Museum of Storybook Art  recently has featured The Open Pillow.

LINK: http://amzn.to/1fpYOA1

David's interview: http://bit.ly/18rk6Yy

Interview of Douglas Wickard

Interview of Douglas Wickard

Author of A Perfect Setup

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I live in Los Angeles, I work a full time job in the hospitality industry, and I fit in my writing early in the morning, before the world wakes up so I won’t be disturbed. I live a pretty boring existence, actually. I love Mexican food with margaritas, of course, and like Sami, enjoy a nice vodka martini from time to time.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? Yes, I’ve often mentioned it before. I was twelve years old and Reader’s Digest had a writing competition called FIRST PERSON’S AWARD. It was an opportunity for readers to write about a particularly rough time they were going through in their lives.

Of course, with my wild imagination, I decided to write about my fictitious heroin addiction. At twelve! My sister, Karen typed up the manuscript so it appeared professional and we sent it out, fingers crossed. I didn’t win, but it sure showed me what an adrenalin rush fees like, as well as what the power of imagination can unleash with the written word.

Were you inspired by someone or something? I have a blog post entitled A DEDICATION TO TEACHERS. My 10^th grade English teacher, Patsy Grimm was that person for me. On my graduation day from High School, she presented me with a book, THE PROPHET. Inside she wrote a lovely letter, which is now framed and hanging above my writer’s desk, letting me know I would eventually come around to writing. Even though my mind was set on being a doctor at the time, I became a writer. Well, she was right! 

What do you like about writing a story? It’s freedom. The way a story unfolds. The relationship I develop with the characters from that first page until the last. It’s an amazing process.

Can you tell us about your book? A PERFECT SETUP is the sequel to A PERFECT HUSBAND. In my new Sami Saxton novel, I chose to make Sami more real.  My pitch is: Sami’s back, and this time it’s personal.  

After moving to the country house her deceased father built years ago and coming face-to-face with a serial killer, Sami moves back to the City. She is dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Agoraphobia from her experience. Then, the unthinkable occurs, her ex husband, Jerry, is taken into custody for the murder of a young woman found brutally murdered in a Midtown hotel.    

What genre best fits for the book?  Thriller; suspense; mystery.

Are you working on something new at the moment? I’m working on a new book called ENCOUNTER.  It is not a Sami Saxton novel, but a new series introducing FBI Agent Dan Hammer and Inspector Vanessa Sanchez from the SFPD. It is due for release on Halloween this year.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Just do it! Go to the end. Don’t edit yourself during the creative process.

Where can people go to read your work? A PERFECT HUSBAND anywhere ebooks are sold and A PERFECT SETUP exclusively on Amazon.

Do you have anything to add? Thank you for this opportunity. I appreciate the support. Also, I send a big thank you to my readers.