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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Joan Hall Hovey's Abduction

No! Joan wasn't abducted! She's the author of The Abduction of Mary Rose, and my guest today.

In addition to her critically acclaimed novels, Joan Hall Hovey's articles and short stories have appeared in such diverse publications as The Toronto Star, Atlantic Advocate, Seek, Home Life Magazine, Mystery Scene, The New Brunswick Reader, Fredericton Gleaner, New Freeman and Kings County Record. Her short story, "Dark Reunion" was selected for the anthology investigating Women, Published by Simon Pierre.
Ms. Hovey has held workshops and given talks at various schools and libraries in her area, including New Brunswick Community College, and taught a course in creative writing at the University of New Brunswick.  For a number of years, she has been a tutor with Winghill School, a distance education school in Ottawa for aspiring writers.
She is a member of the Writer's Federation of New Brunswick, past regional Vice-President of Crime Writers of Canada, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
www.joanhallhovey.com

Award-Winning Suspense!
The Abduction of Mary Rose
Night Corridor
Chill Waters
Nowhere To Hide
Listen to the Shadows
http://tinyurl.com/4yv4mww


Non-fiction: Write Your Novel ~Audiobook

Welcome back, Joan.

Thank you, Susan.

What books came along at just the right time to influence your reading/writing?

Impossible to remember the times, but there’s no question Grimm’s Fairy Tales had a big influence on my future as a reader and as a writer. I had a vivid imagination, and these stories provided the stimulation I needed.  Jane Eyre was a big influence on what I would read and write, as did the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Steinbeck and so many more.  Writers’ books like Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down The Bones was helpful. Writing by Dean Koontz, Patricia Highsmith and last but very definitely not least, ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King, another favorite writer for many years.  I was lucky enough to attend a writer's workshop in London, England where Stephen King was one of the celebrity panelists.  A great experience.  There's a photo of the Kind and I -J on my site:

I am indebted to a myriad of writers who have gone before me and carried me on their shoulders while I wrote my own novels.

 Please give us a short synopsis of your new book, THE ABDUCTION OF MARY ROSE.

A suspense novel interwoven with threads of romance and paranormal.

Imagine discovering everything you believe about yourself to be a lie. And that the truth could stir a killer from his lair.

Following the death of the woman she believed to be her mother, 28-year-old Naomi Waters learns from a malicious aunt that she is not only adopted, but the product of a brutal rape that left her birth mother, Mary Rose Francis, a teenager of Micmac ancestry, in a coma for 8 months.

Dealing with a sense of betrayal and loss, but with new purpose in her life, Naomi vows to track down Mary Rose's attackers and bring them to justice. She places her story in the local paper, asking for information from residents who might remember something of the case that has been cold for nearly three decades.

She is about to lose hope that her efforts will bear fruit, when she gets an anonymous phone call. Naomi has attracted the attention of one who remembers the case well.

But someone else has also read the article in the paper. The man whose DNA she carries.

And he has Naomi in his sights.

Reviews:
"…Ms. Hovey's talent in creating characters is so real, you feel their emotions and their fears. You want to yell at them to warn of the danger . . . and you do! Your shouts fall on deaf ears . . . and you cry! The best suspense writer I've ever read! Beth Anderson, Author of Raven Talks back

"...Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King come to mind, but JOAN HALL HOVEY is in a Class by herself!…"J.D. Michael Phelps, Author of My Fugitive, David Janssen

"…CANADIAN MISTRESS OF SUSPENSE…The author has a remarkable ability to turn up the heat on the suspense… great characterizations and dialogue…" James Anderson, author of Deadline "

…Can compete with any mystery,suspense novel on the shelves..." Linda Hersey, Fredericton Gleaner, NB

 How has your writing progressed since your first book, Joan? Has it changed you? If so, how?

Yes, I know that I am a better writer today than when I wrote my first book.  I've also lived longer and I like to think the years have made me more perceptive and insightful. At the same time, the reviews for ‘Listen to the Shadows’ are heatwarming, and some readers tell me it's among their favorite books.  But the writing itself is smoother now, I think, and my own writer’s voice is  stronger and more distinctive. But the difference may be subtle enough that I’m the only one who’s aware of it. But it’s important to me that I continue to grow both as a writer and as a person, and I hope I’ve done that.

 When do you accomplish your best writing?

Usually, I write in the early morning, when the mind is freshest and the day’s demands have not yet had a chance to intrude upon the muses. Since I also work as a tutor for a major writing school in Canada, it’s often a balancing act.   But all in all, a noble and satisfying way to spend one’s life.  At least it works for me.

Is there another book on the horizon?

There’s always another book on the horizon.  At the moment, it’s but a dim little speck against the blue.  I’ll keep looking at it until it reveals itself.  And it will, not all at once, but gradually, over the next weeks and months.  Sometimes it needs a little coaxing.

 After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

Reading is something I do to unwind, but then I read myself to sleep most every night. Sometimes I read to 3:00 a.m. or into the morning.  Of course the next day is shot. When the weather is nice, I like to go outside in the back yard and play with my dog, Scamp.  I also enjoy playing the piano, even though I'm not very good.  And of course it's always a pleasure to spend time with my husband, grown children and grandchildren.  They are the center of my universe, from which all good things flow.  Or at least have a chance of flowing. -J

 Are your books available in print, ebook, and Kindle?

 Yes, the books are available in all three.

Where can we purchase these books and get more information about you?

amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/4yv4mww

Barnes and Noble:  http://tinyurl.com/6xykd3g

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Joan+Hall+Hovey

 Various other online websites, or order from your bookstore.

 Author's website: www.joanhallhovey.com                          

Coninued success, Joan!






 



Monday, September 26, 2011

Stephen Brayton discusses BETA

My guest today is Stephen L. Brayton, author of BETA.
Welcome, Stephen and tell us something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.
I’m Batman. Well, okay, except for the cool car, the underground cave, and the butler. But I do have the costume. Well, I had one years ago. I used it once on Halloween…

Seriously, though, this may not have too much to do with me personally, but I’ve managed to get loads of material for stories from the people around me. I’ve lived in an apartment building where every single tenant in the past nine years, save for one, has been in trouble with the law. One couple who wouldn’t pay rent for months and had their electricity turned off…so they tried to steal mine.
Plenty of fodder for books, indeed. How many books have you written?
I’ve had two published. Night Shadows and the latest release, Beta.
What books or authors have influenced you?
Nearly every one of them in one fashion or another. I look at various authors and read a lot of books. With each I’ll have one response or a combination of responses: I know I can do better and I’ll try to avoid this person’s mistakes. I’d like to emulate this person in his/her marketing. This person has given me some creative ideas to put into my books. I want to work harder to be as much of a success as this person.
Tell us about your latest release, Beta.
Mallory Petersen is a Fourth Degree Black Belt and private investigator. When not instructing her martial arts students she finds herself taking on cases and clients coming that are a little odd. However, when she is hired to find kidnapped eight year old Cindy McGee, Mallory uncovers participants in the dark underworld of child pornography. She follows a trail leading her around the capital city of Des Moines, to south central Iowa, and onto the Quad Cities. With a handsome detective as her temporary partner, they continue the search. Mallory puts her emotions, her morals, and her life on the line her quest to save an innocent. The serious nature of the subject matter is tempered by humorous scenes showing off Mallory’s various talents and skills.
Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?
It’s available for Kindle, Nook, and various other e-formats.
What are your protagonist’s strengths? Flaws?
Mallory is strong, beautiful, and a proficient martial artist. She cares about her students and her cases. She cherishes her friends. She’s quirky, witty, and funny. However, she has problems reining in her emotions. Because she cares so much about saving the girl, she steps over the line a few times in getting her information. She also has lingering problems from a case the month before. Those will be addressed in the next book.
Can you tell us about current or future projects?
I’m looking to have the sequel to Beta published next year. I’m also working on the sequel to Night Shadows as well as another private investigator story tentatively entitled New Year Gone. I’ve also outlined a few other stories and eager to begin on those.
Where can folks learn more about your books and events, Stephen?
Stop by for a visit at:
www.stephenbrayton.com
http://stephenlbrayton.blogspot.com                                         
http://braytonsbookbuzz.blogspot.com

Thanks for dropping by, Stephen. Wishing you the best of sales.