The Devil Can Wait by Marta Stephens

Join Marta Stephens, author of the crime mystery novel, The Devil Can Wait (BeWrite Books, Nov. '08), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in December on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

Editor's Note: Marta is the winner of a free virtual book tour sponsored by Pump Up Your Book Promotion. If you would like a chance to win a free book tour, leave a comment on our authors' blog stops and you could be the next winner! Winners are chosen at the end of every month!

About the author:

Marta Stephens is a native of Argentina who has made Indiana her home since the age of four. This mild-manner lady turned to crime with the publication of the first in her Sam Harper Crime Mystery series, SILENCED CRY (2007) which went on to receive honorable mention at the 2008 New York Book Festival and top ten in the 2007 Preditors & Editors Reader Poll. The second book in the Harper series, THE DEVIL CAN WAIT, will be released by BeWrite Books (UK) on November 3, 2008.

Stephens holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Public Relations from Ball State University (IN) where she is employed in human resources. She is a member of Sisters in Crime International, Sisters in Crime Speed City Indiana Chapter, and the Midwest Writer's Workshop.

Stephens believes learning is a life-long adventure. Aside from her writing, she is trained in graphic and web design. She co-designed the award-winning book cover of her debut novel, SILENCED CRY with friend Scott Parkison (IN), created the book trailer, and designed/administers her website, http://www.martastephens-author.com/, her personal blog, http://mstephens-musings.blogspot.com/, and the authors’ blog, MURDER BY 4 http://murderby4.blogspot.com/.

Stephens lives with her husband, daughter (22), and son (20). She enjoys oil paintings, gardening, the family’s pet Boston Bulls and mini Daschunds, and shared moments with family and friends.

About the book:

The city of Chandler, Massachusetts is plunged into terror when the bodies of three local teenagers wash ashore. While homicide detective Sam Harper hunts down the guilty, a sinister plot emerges overseas. From the Vatican to the jungles of South America, a cursed black pearl ring, the demonic prophecy it represents, and the men who pursue its powers find their unfortunate way onto Harper's turf.

Enthralled by the ring's story and a front-page spread, newspaper reporter Jennifer Blake agrees to pick up the ring at a local pawnshop for her former college professor. When she does, unforeseen events shoot Blake to the top of Harper's prime suspect list. Soon, the seemingly unrelated cases converge and the heat is on for Harper to expose the truth behind a Vatican secret and stop the self-righteous man who does the unthinkable in the name of God.

Review:

Marta Stephens knows how to feed the reader the clues and we’re given the opportunity to sit with the detectives as they hash over the cases. I recommend this series to any reader and am convinced it would interest anyone wanting to broaden their reading pleasure.Reviewed by Lucille P Robinson for Alternative Read

The Interview:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

"The Devil Can Wait" is the second book in the Sam Harper Crime Mysteries. It’s a story about greed and superstitions and the consequences for allowing those things to take control. The story begins with the third body of a murdered youth that washed to shore. Sam Harper and his partner Dave Mann have little to go on but suspect a serial killer and know they must find him before he kills again. In the meantime, another sinister plot emerges overseas. In the jungles of South America, a cursed black pearl ring, the demonic prophecy it represents, and the men who pursue its powers collide and eventually find their unfortunate way onto Harper's turf.
Enthralled by the ring's story and a front-page spread, newspaper reporter Jennifer Blake agrees to pick up the ring at a local pawnshop for her former college professor. When she does, unforeseen events shoot Blake to the top of Harper's prime suspect list. Soon, the seemingly unrelated cases converge and the heat is on for Harper to expose the truth behind a Vatican secret and stop the self-righteous man who does the unthinkable in the name of God.

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

The story behind the story is true. It involved a quarrel and a cursed black pearl ring that nearly killed the object of a jilted young man’s affection. Filled with resentment, he begged her to take the ring as a parting gesture. Within days of accepting his gift, the young woman fell victim to a number of life-threatening accidents that came in quick succession. She survived each incident, but evil remained a constant threat to her life. It was only after she destroyed the black pearl ring that all appeared to return to normal.

Such was the spark behind "The Devil Can Wait"; fiction with a taste of the unexplained. I was an impressionable eight-year-old, unable to distinguish fact from fiction, yet that event seared itself into my mind.

I was always intrigued by this event and the challenge to turn it into a suspense novel was just too irresistible to ignore.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My success as a writer is the direct result of the constant support and encouragement I receive from my husband, Rick, daughter, Jessica (22) and son, Tracy (20). My husband is the first person I go to when I hit a brick wall in a scene. He’s an avid reader and always has the perfect solution. I love that my children have read the books, are interested in my characters, and are a part of what I’m doing.

Your biggest critic?

I am. No one has to push me to write or edit my work. I’m always looking for a way to improve my writing.

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

Writing to me is a layering process. When I wrote "Silenced Cry," the first book in the series, I was trying to find my voice in addition to learning the many things that writers need to know about fiction. With this second book, I sense that my writing has matured. Everything I’ve learned over the years is now engraved in my mind – I don’t have to think about the basics and thus, I can concentrate on what I need to do to improve my writing.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve been working on the third book in the series, "Grave Witness" (working title) for several months. I hope to have it completed in 2009 for a possible release shortly after.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Novels don’t materialize overnight. It takes time—often years of dedication, research, and a massive amount of hard work to turn that "great idea" into a polished page-turning story. Never stop learning, listen to the advice of those whose work you respect, but always remember to be true to yourself.

Biggest weakness?

I tend to get easily distracted. I try to organize my time as much as possible so I’ll have set blocks of time to dedicate to my writing.

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

My writing has been described as tight and crisp and my characters genuine. I think what draws the reader to my books though are the complex plots and the unexpected twists they create. One of the consistent comments I’ve received from readers and reviewers alike is that they enjoyed solving the case along with Harper. I’ve found that one of the most difficult yet enjoyable parts about writing suspense is being able to present clues without the reader realizing it, and not revealing the guilty until the last possible moment for a "wow" ending.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago?

On a personal level, I haven’t changed. I still work full time, care for my family and home and continue to do all the things I’ve always done. However, writing has opened doors I never thought would be available to me and yet it’s no different than anything else in life. The more you do something, the better your skill and the greater your self-confidence.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Not at all. I believe that everything, good or bad, happens for a reason. There have been times when I’ve wondered why I didn’t start writing at a younger age. The obvious answer to me is that I wasn’t ready, interested, dedicated or all of the above. However, everything I’ve done in the past has led me here. It’s a matter of staying positive and taking in the lessons that each experience has to offer.

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

I want to thank you and your readers for the opportunity to share my journey with you and to encourage aspiring authors to walk the extra mile and to continue to challenge themselves

WIN PRIZES!

THE DEVIL CAN WAIT VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on December 1 and end on December 23. You can visit Marta's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in December to find out where she is appearing!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. The winner(s) will be announced at the end of every month!

The House On Tradd Street by Karen White

About the book:

Practical-minded Charleston realtor Melanie Middleton hates to admit that she can see ghosts—even to herself. But now she’s going to have to accept it. Because an old man she met only days ago has died, leaving Melanie his historic Tradd Street home, complete with housekeeper, dog—and a family of ghosts anxious to tell her something…

Enter Jack Trenholm, a gorgeous writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He has reason to believe that some diamonds that went missing from the Confederate Treasury a century ago are hidden in Melanie’s new home. So he decides to turn the charm on with the new tenant, only to discover that he’s suddenly the smitten one...

But it turns out that Jack’s search has caught the attention of a possibly malevolent ghostly presence. Now, Jack and Melanie must unravel a mystery of passion, heartbreak, and even murder. And they must hurry, for an evil force—either dead or alive—lies in wait…

Thanks so much for agreeing to an interview! I look forward to reading your responses!

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It’s what I call my ‘Sixth Sense meets Moonlighting meets National Treasure’ book. An uptight Charleston realtor who inherits an historic and run-down home in Charleston’s historic district—along with a housekeeper, dog, and a host of ghosts eager to tell her their secrets. Oh, and she sees dead people---and teams up with a true-historical-crime mystery rider to solve the secrets of the old house.

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

Despite an abiding fear of deep water, I learned how to sail so I could write my last book, THE MEMORY OF WATER. I wouldn’t say I’m proficient at it, but I learned enough to understand what would draw my characters to the water on a boat.

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

Sleep! I’m the mother of two active children (and dog), my husband travels a lot, and I’m writing and promoting two novels a year. I really miss my sleep!!!

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the sequel to THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET. It’s entitled THE GIRL ON LEGARE and will be out in November 2009.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

To borrow words from Nike—JUST DO IT!! If you want to write, don’t find reasons why not. Just sit down at the computer and start writing. Really, it’s that easy! Remember—you’ll never sell a book that’s not written.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Diana Gabaldon. When I finished OUTLANDER I was truly inspired to create another world that would transport readers in the same way that I’d been transported by her work.

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

Writing two full-length novels in a single year two years in a row. It’s just about killed me, but I think these books are my best work to date and I’ve seen a corresponding rise in my sales numbers.

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

What I feel REALLY sets this book apart is that it really is in its very own genre—or, what I’d like to think, is starting its own trend! Like all of my books, it could be considered Southern Women’s Fiction—with romance, mystery and a ghost story added to the mix.

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

Definitely. A lot of it comes with just getting older and with it the accompanying maturity and wisdom. I’m a lot more patient, I don’t sweat the small stuff so much, and I’m a lot easier on myself. Life is too short to worry about things I can’t change!

What is your favorite past-time?

Reading! I don’t think I could be a writers without being a voracious reader.

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

To read excerpts, enter my contest and find out more about me and my books, please visit my website at www.karen-white.com.

About the author:

Karen White marries her passion for Charleston, the architecture of the area, and its history and legends in her new novel THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET, the story of a real estate agent who, though she specializes in homes in the city’s historic area, detests them. To do so, Karen had to conjure up and face a universal horror—renovation. Unlike her recent book, The Memory Of Water, for which she physically confronted her lifelong fear of deep water for the sake of research, this time out she enjoyed a metaphorical wallow in the joys associated with restoring a one hundred and fifty year old house and garden and let her characters deal with the pain.

White’s protagonists face everything from a leaky roof, old fountains, and cracked cornices to overgrown flowerbeds, paint chipped ceilings, disintegrating plaster and warped floorboards. For herself she saved the best. Her research included luxurious strolls on the streets of Charleston, sampling and choosing restaurants such as Magnolias, Gaulart & Malicelet, Cru Café, Blossom and Anson for her characters to enjoy. Rumor has it she also did a bit of shopping at RTW on King Street and spent an afternoon on the Battery visiting White Point Gardens. Relishing the architecture and choosing among Victorians, Federals, Colonial Revivals, Queen Anne, Dutch Colonials and others, along with the amazing range of colors and appointments, Karen eventually placed the house at the center of her story at “55 Tradd Street” in the downtown historic district and, inspired by an actual house on that street, imagined it as a Federal style single family home.

Italian and French by ancestry, a southerner and a story teller by birth, White has moved around quite a bit in her life. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she has also lived in Texas, New Jersey, Louisiana, Georgia, Venezuela and England, where she attended the American School in London. She returned to the states for college and graduated from New Orleans’ Tulane University. Hailing from a family with roots firmly set in Mississippi (the Delta and Biloxi), White notes that “searching for home brings me to the south again and again.” She and her family now live near Atlanta.

It was love at first sight when White first visited Charleston and South Carolina’s lowcountry in 1995. She says it was “inevitable” that she would set several novels in the area, as she did with 2005’s The Color of Light, which Booklist praises as “an accomplished novel about loss and renewal.” Three years later, she returned to the there with The Memory Of Water and, now, to Charleston with THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET. Her love of the southern coast shows no sign of abating. Her next novel, The Lost Hours (May 09) is set in and around Savannah.

Karen White’s work has appeared on the South East Independent Booksellers best sellers list. Her recent novel The Memory of Water, was the Borders Books and Atlanta & Company’s Book Club Selection for May, topped off at the end of the month with their live, television interview with Karen. The Memory of Water, which is well reviewed in Atlanta Magazine and an array of other print and online book media, and was adopted by numerous independent booksellers as a book club recommendation and as a featured title in their store. It’s been back to press five times since its March 2008 publication, the first time within its first four weeks on sale. It is one of NAL/Accent’s fastest selling titles.

Adding to the excitement of The Memory of Water’s March 2008 debut, was the resounding, continued recognition achieved by White’s 2007 novel Learning to Breathe. This spring Learning to Breathe was honored with a National Readers’ Choice Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Virginia Romance Writers HOLT Medallion. It was also named a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s Award for Best Novel, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and the Georgia Author of the Year Award.

White credits years spent listening to adults visiting in her grandmother’s Mississippi kitchen, sharing stories and gossiping while she played under the table, with starting her on the road to telling her own tales. The deal was sealed in the seventh grade when she skipped school and read Gone With The Wind. She knew—just knew—she was destined to grow up to be either Scarlet O’Hara or a writer.

In addition to THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET, White’s previous novels include Learning to Breathe, Pieces of the Heart, and The Color of Light.

THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on November 3 and end on November 26. You can visit Karen's blog stops at www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.wordpress.com in November to find out more about her latest book!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. The winner(s) will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on November 30!

Kindred Spirits by Marilyn Meredith

Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: Mundania Press LLC (August 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594267359
ISBN-13: 978-1594267352

About the book:

Trouble in Deputy Crabtree’s marriage is soon forgotten when the body of a murder victim is found in the wake of a forest fire. Sent to Crescent City in search of information introduces Tempe to the victim’s Tolowa relatives and friends–along with two stalkers and Big Foot.Upon her return home, a pig’s heart on Tempe’s front porch serves as a warning. Detective Morrison becomes an unusual ally, and the victim’s spirit visits Tempe in the night. She and husband Hutch set off for Santa Barbara in an effort to flush out the murderer and once again she finds her own life threatened.

I was lucky to be able to ask Marilyn some questions. Here are her answers:

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

I suspect you mean do I go out to dinner, or drink a favorite glass of wine, or maybe jump up and down and yell hooray. When I’ve actually finished with my final edit and sent it off to the publisher, I’m busy working on the next project and probably still doing some promotion for whatever book was the latest out.

What is one cause you are passionate about and why?

At the moment, I’m trying to let everyone know about how the Tolowa people, as well as other California Indians, were nearly wiped out during the mid to late 1800s–something that has been left out of history books. It’s something I talk about when giving presentations about this book.
I’ve had other causes through the years, many of them having to do with making the lives of people with developmental disabilities better. I owned and operated a licensed residential care home for six women with disabilities for twenty-three years.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

A fellow writer, Willma Gore, (yes, that’s the correct spelling of her first name) taught me more about writing and publishing than any class, book or writers’ conference. I met her when I joined a writers’ critique group about twenty-three years ago. Though she’s moved away, we’ve stayed in touch and I still use her as an editor.

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

My husband and my family are always the most important in my life as a whole. In my writing life, the most important thing is getting the word out about my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, Kindred Spirits.

What are you currently working on?

I’m writing the next in the series–not sure about the title yet, however, the one that will be out next fall is called Dispel the Mist.

Seeing as how Kindred Spirits is part of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, do you see more books in the future?

I answered that in the previous question. Tempe is real to me and I know more about her than I do my family or friends because I know how Tempe thinks. I’ll continue to write about her as long as she continues to have new adventures.

In writing a series, do you find it hard to keep storylines accurate?

Sometimes I make mistakes, but I do keep notes. There is a two year difference in Tempe’s life between Judgment Fire and Kindred Spirits and I needed to remember that in the book I’m writing now.

What is the inspiration behind the series and main character?

My son-in-law was a police officer and took me on a ride-along and told me lots of cop tales. I then went on a ride-along with a female police officer who told me all about being a single mom in a dangerous job and her trials being the only female on the department. For the local newspaper, I interviewed a female resident deputy and she had many of the same problems being the only woman in a man’s world. I also met a lovely young Native American who had grown up on the reservation and she told me a bit about growing up Indian. I put all three women together to create Tempe.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read the kind of books that you want to write. I’ve run into far too many want-to-be writers who’ve told me they didn’t read. Then learn the craft of writing. You must know the rules before you can break them. Go to writers’ conferences, read books on writing, join a critique group and write, write, write. Set aside a time each day to write. Have someone look at your work who knows something about writing. Edit your work. Submit. And never give up, no matter how many rejections you get. My first book was rejected nearly thirty times before it was accepted for publication. (Of course I kept rewriting it between rejections.)

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Writing is something I have to do. Hopefully, people who read my books will enjoy them. Thank you so much for letting me stop by. Anyone interested in my series can read the first chapters on my website.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com/

About the author:

Marilyn Meredith is the author of award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series as well as over twenty published novels. The latest is, Kindred Spirits, from Mundania Press. Under the name of F. M. Meredith she writes the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, the latest, Smell of Death, from Tigress Press.She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, EPIC and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She was an instructor for Writer’s Digest School for ten years, served as an instructor at the Maui Writer’s Retreat and many other writer’s conferences. She makes her home in Springville, much like Bear Creek where Deputy Tempe Crabtree lives. Visit her at http://www.fictionforyou.com/.

KINDRED SPIRITS VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '08 will officially begin on October 1 and end on October 30. You can visit Marilyn's blog stops at www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.wordpress.com in October to find out more about her new book!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. The winner(s) will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on October 30!

Oblivious by Cyndia Depre

"Unfortunately, murder is like an onion, with layers and layers." Not only is murder like an onion, but so are the characters and story portrayed in this wonderful book by Cyndia Depre.

I have to admit a part of me was initially intrigued by this book because it was set in a small town in Wisconsin. Coming from a small town in Wisconsin myself I was delighted as I read the quirks and nuances indicative of small town living, especially in the Midwest.

I must admit upon being introduced to the main character, Olivia Chatham, I was a little unsure on whether I was going to like her. She seemed a little flighty and her grasp of colloquialisms was so muddled it was hard to catch her meaning. But, as the book unfolded I grew to love her just as the entire town does, and her quirkiness makes her so believable and I found myself looking forward to her being "unique in her oneness".

When Cheryl Mecklenberg is found murdered, the whole town is buzzing with rumors. Seeing as how Olivia is so well liked, and people open up to her, the Sheriff decides to ask her to keep him abreast of any information she comes across that may help him determine what has happened. To Livvy, this is her chance to do something big, after all the town is counting on her. The Sheriff on the other hand may end up regretting what he considered and innocent request.

Livvy enlists the help of Josephine "Josie" Bookman, an ex-model and her best friend, and Tucker Monroe, the newest resident of Chatham and still somewhat of a mystery himself. With Livvy leading the way, this trio gets information in ways that would make any detective proud. They finally narrow their suspects down through Livvy's unique sense of logic and instinct. Even though it seems unconventional at the time, it ends up being the same suspects the police derive using "real" police techniques. In the end all of their hard work pays off and once again Livvy is looked upon with pride by the people of Chatham.

This book was a delightful read with an excellent plot and characters so real and diverse you couldn't help being drawn to them. I am thankful that the author has allowed me this opportunity as I know I will anxiously await further books.

Questions for the author:
I see you live in Minnesota. Did you grow up in or live in a small town? Is that how you created the atmosphere for your book?

I've lived in small towns, big cities, and every place in between. I went to high school in Yorkville, Illinois. Not a big city by any stretch of the imagination. I went to NIU in DeKalb and got an accounting degree. When I was younger, I loved cities. There was so much to do! The older I get, the more I appreciate small towns. I don't need to go out. I can get a movie and curl up in front of the tv in my pajamas and have fun. A day on the lake, fishing from our old boat, is my idea of heaven. I've never lived in Wisconsin, but travel through it several times a year. My family, and my husband's, live in Illinois and we are in Minnesota. Wisconsin is a breathtakingly beautiful state. The people are so nice, with a live and let live attitude. We always try to allow extra time for the trip, and stop for a night in Tomah. It's such a treat! We go to a wonderful restaurant, eat good food, then go to the bar for an after dinner drink. Folks always have a smile for us, and we end up chatting with other customers as if we've known each other for years. If we have a couple days, we go to the Dells. We hope to retire in Wisconsin. Our needs aren't fancy. Just a nice normal house on a lake, close to a town where people actually care for each other. Chatham, Wisconsin, is completely fictional, but it lives in my mind and that's where I want to spend my golden years. I just need to find a place like it.

How did you continue to come up with Olivia's mixed up cliche's and malapropisms (they really cracked me up)?

I thought it would be impossible to maintain Olivia's gaffes, but I was wrong. It turned out to be a snap. I still think of them, and have a file filled with what I call 'Livvy-isms'. At the risk of sounding too artsy, I just got into Olivia's head (which is a very happy place to be), and the mangled phrases started flying. The world can seem so scary at times, but it's also extremely funny. It's just how you look at things. Livvy looks at events from a different perspective, and thinking like her helped open me up to the silliness I see and hear every day.

Any book involving these characters in the future (I hope, I hope)?

I have to find a place for my new 'Livvy-isms', so yes, I'm working on another. It will introduce a new pair of protagonists, but Livvy and Tucker and Josie will be there, too. It's a murder mystery, but there is no body. Olivia is the only one convinced someone is dead. She pays no attention to the naysayers, and sets about finding the victim and nabbing the ne'er-do-well who committed the heinous crime.

To purchase a copy of this book please visit www.cyndiadepre.com