Scattered Leaves by Richard Roach

Join Richard E. Roach, author of the suspense mystery novel, Scattered Leaves (Multi-Media, Sept. '08), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in April on his third virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

About the Author:

Suspense/Mystery author Richard Roach was born in 1931 in Galveston, Texas. Short stories of his have been published in Man’s Story 2, Happy 2007, Vol. 20 and Bibliophilos 2006, Vol. 42. His first novel, Scattered Leaves, hit the book stores on September 1, ’08, and his second novel, Scattered Money, will be published in 2009.

You can visit his website at http://www.richarderoach.com/.

About the Book:

When Ben McCord comes home from a business trip to find his young wife raped and murdered, he starts out on a journey of death and destruction. Clues lead him to a dark world of drugs and violence in action that spans Texas, Colorado, and the Mexican border. McCord hooks up with a beautiful doctor, who was also victimized by members of the same drug cartel, and together they track down the killers, surviving bloody confrontations, and ending with a suspenseful climax in the Big Thicket of Texas.

I was lucky enough to be able to interview the author. Here's what he answered:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Ben McCord comes home from witnessing a blow-out on a drilling rig to find his wife raped and murdered. At first he’s overcome with grief; but soon the sorrow is replaced with black anger. Ben vows vengeance and starts looking for the perpertratiors.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

No, but the murder of a family in Georgia caused me to realize it could happen to anyone.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

I had no choice in the matter, I felt compelled to write.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My wife. She reads what I write, the poor soul, and never condemns me.

Your biggest critic?

Oh! Boy! The worst critics are the editors that tell me where I went wrong, rearrange the plot, and drive me crazy in general.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

This is a loaded question! I would never finish this if I were to cover all my passionate causes but just to pick one is hard to do. However, I’ll go with this. I have little faith in the political situation concerning law making and law enforcement. Too much corruption, the media news is full of it every day. Look at Madoff and the trillion dollar debt.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I like to think I have.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

A big sigh of relief and satisfaction.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

John D. MacDonald

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

My health. I hate going to the hospital for operations.

What are you currently working on?

Cecilia—Another crime novel. I have just finished Perverse Judgment.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Beware of opening your door to strangers. Always carry a gun, keep your emotions in check and remember—if a thug comes in your domicile while you are there, HE’S COMING AFTER YOU! Burglars don’t rob home while people are there unless they’re drug mad.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Gardner , MacDonald, Short, Lamour, Hamilton , McBain and Charteris.

What are some of your long term goals?

To continue to write better novels.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

I don’t feel as if I’ve accomplished hardly anything but the best so far is to get SCATTERED LEAVES published.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

My imagination.

Biggest weakness?

Lack of formal education. I should have studied English: Lit and Grammar and writers.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

If you read it, I believe you’ll agree, Action! Violence!

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

Any of the Travis McGee books. The reason: Simple. I could read it over and over. I have read the twenty-one books in the McGee series over and over as is. I also have a complete set stored in plastic containers where light never shines on them. I’m saving them for when I get old. I’m only 7711/12 at this time.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

June 1, 1945 That’s the day I was forced to leave Livingston and go to Houston and work in a grocery store. I was fourteen.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Definitely! I have studied the art and written about ten books in that length of time

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

I’m still learning things . . . the most important thing so far, has to be, get a damn education! Money can’t buy happiness but an education coupled with hard work and perseverance can allow you to suffer in luxury.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Thinking I was smart enough for this world and quitting college.

What is your favorite past-time?

Writing a good story. You can control everything that happens, that’s called heaven.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes! I love you for asking all these questions. It was my pleasure to answer them. I wish you and your family good health, happiness, and piles of nice crisp one-hundred dollar bills.

Win Prizes!!!

SCATTERED LEAVES VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on April 1 and end on April 30. You can visit Richard's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in April to find out more about this great book and talented author!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.