AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

Books In Sinc has honored me as AUTHOR OF THE MONTH on their site. To read about it, head over to http://booksinsinc.blogspot.com  and read the wonderful newsletter.

John Wills: Gripped by Fear

John began writing professionally after retiring from the FBI. He has published more than100 articles in both print media and online:

· Officer.com
· LawOfficer.com
· Police & Security News
· Vegas Beat
· The Rap Sheet
· Law Enforcement Technology
· New American Truth

He is a former co-editor of "Suspense Thriller Zine," an electronic magazinededicated to the best suspense and thriller short fiction online, and is an award-winning author of several short stories.
John is presently a book reviewer for The New York Journal Of Books.
He has published a short story in Lt. Randy Sutton’s (Las Vegas Metro PD) latest book: True Blue to Protect and Serve. John is an NCAA approved speaker explaining the dangers of steroids and other dangerous drugs to student athletes. See RoidsAndJocks for more information! He is a former Chicago Police Officer, and has written two Christian-themed police dramas, both part of the Chicago Warrior Thriller Series:  Chicago Warriors Midnight Battles in the Windy City
Gripped By Fear

John offers a situational awareness class, LivSafe, which is available to schools, churches, civic organizations, and neighborhood groups. He also is available to Law Enforcement agencies to present a 90 minute presentation onOfficer Survival. John is a certified Personal Trainer throughExpertRating.com.

Welcome, John. Tell us a little more about yourself.

Thanks, Susan. I’ve been writing professionally since I retired from the FBI in 2004. Before joining the Bureau, I was a Chicago cop for 12 ½ years. Both careers have allowed me to enjoy a lifetime of experiences in the law enforcement world. I draw on them to write my novels.

What are your writing goals?

I like to be more than one dimensional, not just known as a novelist, but rather, as a writer. I’ve published over 100 articles about police work, online and in print. I’m also an award winning author of short stories, and I’ve tried my hand at poetry, notwithstanding the fact that I know very little about it.

What is your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

Two things: I’ve enjoyed a catharsis while writing my stories, allowing some pain to flow on to the pages rather than internalizing it. Second, the feedback from readers has been refreshing and inspiring—it makes all the time and effort involved worthwhile.

Tell us about your latest book. Is it available in print and e-book formats?

Sure. My latest book is Gripped By Fear. It is the second book in a series I created, called The Chicago Warriors. Gripped is the story of two Chicago police detectives, a male and female, who track a serial rapist throughout the city, ending with an explosive climax.

Do you think your writing has improved since your first attempt? If so, in what way?

That’s easy: Yes. I’m like many authors who feel their first novel was sub-par. I even say that to people when they ask me about my books. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good read—many people have remarked they enjoyed it immensely and want to know when the next book is coming. I know I have evolved since then. One of the big contributing factors is that I joined a critique group. Getting feedback from a dozen fellow writers is as they say, “priceless.”

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

I’m a Catholic who attended Catholic schools all the way through university. My faith plays a large role in my writing, and is on display in my books. Readers like the hope and redeeming message that can be found in my work, even though I write about the most evil people in society.

Where do you write? When? What do you have around you?

I write wherever I am at. Since I spend a lot of time on the road, I will write at airports, on planes, in hotels . . . but if I’m at home, my optimum writing takes place early morning in the spare bedroom, on the second floor, looking out through a double window.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

That’s an easy one—play with the grandkids.

Any current projects?

I’m finishing up my third novel in the series, tentatively titled: Targeted. I also write book reviews for the New York Journal of Books.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

My website: www.johnmwills.com

John, it has been a pleasure. Continued success!

Shells Walter: DEAD PRACTICES

Dead Practices by Shells Walter

print ebook, kindle eds

http://www.sonar4publications.com/zombie.html

$1.00 off of every print edition goes to support Sea Shepard Conservation Society

Shells Walter started writing when she was about 11-years-old. First came poetry. As a person at one time who was shy and had trouble communicating with others, Shells put her poetry into a diary--mostly dark poetry at first that even scared the school she was attending into thinking she might do something awful.

As it turns out, Shells continued with her writing since she picked up her first story by Edgar Allen Poe at the same age. She became enthralled with Horror writing and soon developed a much needed taste for it. Later on Science Fiction followed, along with other genres. Today she still writes stories, flashes, micros, screenplays, plays, novels and novellas. She also freelance writes for a living.


Her interests include learning more about Jack the Ripper. Shells has a few novellas coming soon. And she doesn't plan on slowing down anytime in the future.

Shells, welcome to the blog.

What is your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

I believe it is when I fall in love with my characters. If you don't love your characters, how can you finish the rest of your story?

Tell us about Dead Practices, your latest book. Is it available in print and e-book formats?

Dead Practices is about a lawyer, but not just any lawyer but a zombie lawyer or what is considered a 'Zombie Citizen'.
Zombies have been converted into Zombie Citizens so that they can live with regular people, IE humans. But someone wants to change the zombies back to the way they were, and possibly take over anything they can. The hitch- it is a client of Jerrod's.

Jerrod and his friend, a police officer named Rusty who is also a Zombie Citizen, try and stop this craziness from happening through a wild adventure that also includes a lot of super-glue.

It is for sale as print on sonar4publications.com, soon to be on other online retail stores such as Barnes and Nobles, Amazon and others. EBook on Sonar4 Publications.com and also on sale at the Kindle Store for Amazon.

How did Dead Practices compare to writing Bite This or Justice Served. Was it more challenging to write than the others? If so, why?

Dead Practices was a fun journey into the world of zombies with a twist, actually making them do what humans do and have human jobs. Justice Served was more of a chase after someone who was killing with a religious twist, Bite This was with vampires and a priest, with a twist on vampires and religion. I don't think Dead Practices was as challenging because there was less research for this one compared to the others.

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

I was shy as a kid based on events that occurred around me. As time went on there were situations or other things that influenced me. All that goes into my writing as a release and it's amazing on what kind of stories one can create. I think a lot of writers do this. For me it becomes almost a diary format.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

I watch movies, read, spend time with my family, and work on volunteer things, read comics. But I don't always find writing intense, since most of the time it is such a joy to be able to do it.

Any current projects?

Currently working on a project with Jessica Weiss and Matt Nord based on a short story of mine. It will be a 3 part novella project where each of us do one novella , putting them all together to form three separate novellas but all coming together for the same theme.

Also, at the time this interview comes out, the sale will be already started, but I'm an onshore volunteer for Sea Shepard Conservation Society and am currently working on a fundraiser to support them via having people donate things such as services or products.

The Sea Shepard Conservation Society helps marine animals and the oceans. They give a voice to the animals who can't speak for themselves and they protect the laws that are there to help the animals and the oceans and non-violently protest those that break the laws. They are located here http://www.seashepherd.org/ .

The timing couldn't be better with the diaster in the Gulf.Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

People can go to my website at http://www.shellswalter.com/. I'm also on facebook where a lot of information is posted as well.

Shells, thanks for dropping by and we wish you the best of sales with your zombies.

Cassandra Jade and Death's Daughter

Cassandra, thanks for stopping by.
Hi Susan, thanks for the opportunity to visit your blog on my tour.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m an Australian, more importantly a Queenslander. I love the sun and warm weather and until recently I lived near the coast. Now I have the beautiful red desert surrounding me. My obsession is teaching and writing gives me a much needed break.

What are your writing goals?
My original writing goal was to just finish a manuscript. The idea of being published was just something I joked about but never really planned to pursue. However, once I finished Death’s Daughter, I realized I really did want to have it out in the world and I guess now it is a challenge to myself to see if I can do it again. I love writing and I loved the whole process of seeing something that I began with a few scribbled notes become complete.

Tell us about your latest book. Is it available in print and e-book formats?

Death’s Daughter is available in e-book only. I’d love to see it in print one day but I think in many ways e-book is better for me because it means that anyone can access it.

Do you think your writing has improved since your first attempt? If so, in what way?

My writing has definitely improved. Working with my editor through the rewrites on Death’s Daughter I loved the opportunity to get real and critical feedback on my writing and with every mistake pointed out and every suggestion, I learned so much about writing. I think I’m more critical of my own writing now and I hope I keep learning about writing and improving.

How do you develop characters? Setting?

I always start with the main character and build the world to suit their needs. They need a problem to face and challenges between standing between them and their goals and the setting needs to accommodate that. As far as developing characters, I like to talk to them in my mind and slowly flesh them out as I get to know them before I begin actually taking any notes on them.

Where do you write? When? What do you have around you?

I write at my computer desk in a shared study. My area is about two metres by two metres and includes the computer desk – covered in print outs, note books, to-be-read paperbacks and various pictures, necklaces and other paraphernalia I’ve dumped there for ‘inspiration’ at one time or another. I like to consider it my creatively messy corner. However, my dictionary and thesaurus sit directly beside the computer tower for easy access at any moment.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

Writing is my unwinding time. I work for hours at planning lessons, marking papers, writing unit plans, reviewing educational theory and when I am done for the day I need something to help my mind let it all go. Planning and thinking about whatever fantasy land I’m currently creating is the perfect diversion.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

People are welcome to visit my blog, http://cassandrajade.wordpress.com, follow me on twitter, http://twitter.com/darkened_jade or they can check out my book, Death’s Daughter: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_19&products_id=227

Aaron Lazar: Healey's Cave

TITLE: Healey’s Cave: a Sam Moore Mystery
AUTHOR: Aaron Paul Lazar
PUBLISHER: Twilight Times Books
DATE OF PUBLICATION: August 15th, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60619-162-0
PAGES: 267
GENRE: Paranormal Mystery

Sam Moore's little brother vanished fifty years ago. No body. No answers. What Sam has is a boatload of guilt, since he failed to accompany Billy on his final, fateful bike ride.
While digging in his garden, Sam discovers a green marble with a startling secret—it whisks him back to his childhood, connecting him to Billy. Thrust back and forth through time, Sam struggles to unlock the secret of his brother’s fate.

When the FBI investigates remains found nearby, Sam learns of a serial killer with a grisly fifty-year record. Sam’s certain it’s Billy’s killer. But what’s worse, his grandson fits the profile of the murdered boys. Will the killer return to Sam’s town to claim his final kill? Can Sam untangle the truth in time to save him?

Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of LeGarde Mysteries and Moore Mysteries enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his websites at www.legardemysteries.com and http://www.mooremysteries.com/.

Aaron, welcome to the blog and congratulations on the release of Healey's Cove. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello, Susan. It’s great to be here. Here are a few facts about me:
· I’m first and foremost a husband, father, and grandfather. I love nature, kids, animals, classical, blues, folks, and sixties rock music, French Impressionist art, gardening, cooking, and photography. Oh, and I guess we ought to throw in reading and writing into the mix!

· I’m from New England, but have lived in the beautiful Genesee Valley region in western NY, near the Finger Lakes since 1981. Many of my books are set in the lush fields, woods, gorges, and gardens of this region.

Oh, I'd love to visit the Finger Lakes. I've driven near them but didn't get a chance to stop.

· I’m a lot like my two main characters, Sam Moore (MooreMysteries.com) and Gus LeGarde (LeGardeMysteries.com). My characters are similar to my father, who was a classical music professor, pianist, massive gardener, and a great chef. Therefore, we’re all kind of a bizarre and interesting amalgam. ;o)

· I believe that readers can enjoy a thrilling ride with a tale told in a relatively wholesome way, versus gratuitous gore and meaningless sex. Although some people like that. LOL. Not that I don’t have a few juicy scenes between Gus and his new wife – after all Gus goes through, I figure he deserves some loving!

· I’ve written ten LeGarde Mysteries, three Moore Mysteries, and am also currently writing book two from my Tall Pines Mysteries series (not yet submitted to publishers)

· I love to connect with my readers and can be reached at: aaron.lazar@yahoo.com.
Here are the books that are under contract for publishing, for the first two series. The rest are in the queue or waiting to be submitted until the time is right.
LEGARDE MYSTERIES

DOUBLE FORTE' (2004)

UPSTAGED (2005)

TREMOLO: CRY OF THE LOON (2007)

MAZURKA (2009)

FIRESONG (2010)
MOORE MYSTERIES

HEALEY'S CAVE (just released)

ONE POTATO, BLUE POTATO (2011)

FOR KEEPS (2012)
And here are a few awards plus my website addresses.
Preditors&Editors Top 10 Finalist * Yolanda Renee's Top Ten Books 2008 * MYSHELF Top Ten Reads 2008 * Writers' Digest Top 101 Website Award 2009 & 2010
www.legardemysteries.com

www.mooremysteries.com

www.murderby4.blogspot.com

www.aaronlazar.blogspot.com

http://www.aplazar.gather.com/
And here are a few credentials:
My columns and articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, Absolute Write, Mystery Fiction, and Great Mystery and Suspense magazine. I’m also co-owner on a Writer’s Digest Best 101 Websites blog, www.murderby4.blogspot.com. I’m well versed in self-promotion, and have an extensive marketing plan that includes frequent appearances at book clubs and library events, and promotion on my award-winning websites and blogs. In addition, I exclusively sign and sell books at Heron Hill Winery overlooking Keuka Lake, in Hammondsport, NY.
Oops, you said tell us a “little” about yourself. LOL. Sorry about that!

 That's fine.
What books came along at just the right time to influence your reading/writing?

Although I’d written lots of stories in high school and college, and had been known as “an engineer who can write,” by my peers during my career at Kodak, I was actually a very green writer. I had a great deal to learn as far as fictional technique and skills were concerned. My pages were populated with ungodly adverbs and I allowed myself to go on for too long in poetic narrations. I used the past perfect (“had” structures) ruthlessly, until a mentor pointed out that there was no need to stutter my prose with so many “hads.” (see more about this in how-to writing advice articles posted at http://www.aplazar.gather.com) Stephen King’s On Writing, was one of the most helpful writing books I read, although I also loved For the Trees by Betsey Learner. Both came along just at the right time!

What are your writing goals?

I originally hoped to write a hundred books before I die. And by that, I meant one hundred GOOD books. So far, I’m on my fifteenth novel, and at the rate of a couple of books per year, that means I need to live to be ninety-nine and a half. It’s a great goal – I hope the Good Lord lets me get there with my brain still working properly. That’s the key!
Seriously, though, my goals have changed a bit since I started meeting my readers. I’ve discovered readers who told me my books “got them through chemo,” or “taught them to be better fathers,” or other such heart-stopping comments. I think if even one of my books has affected one person on this earth that way, I’m happy to say “I’ve made it.” I don’t need to be a household name to have achieved that worthy goal.

Tell us about Healey's Cave. Is it available in print and e-book formats?

Healey’s Cave is available in all formats. The ebook/Kindle version is orderable now, and the print book is pre-orderable through Barnes and Noble now at a great discount and at Amazon, etc and brick and mortar bookstores. Also, I have print books on hand for those who want personally autographed copies.

And here’s where Healey’s Cave came from:  I blame the book on my wife. I was minding my own business, wrapping up the fifth novel in the LeGarde Mystery series, when she turned to me and said, “You need to write a book from the killer’s point of view.” I laughed out loud. I’d always written in first person, from a man whose character was diametrically opposed to villains. He was a good man, a man I admired and wanted to share with the world. Sure, he had his faults, but how could I switch from that kind of mindset to the inner thoughts of a killer?
Dale reads Stephen King and James Patterson. She loves psychological thrillers and even a little horror. Not like me with my relatively wholesome mysteries that skirt around the gruesome details of murder.
I put aside the thought until shortly thereafter, while rototilling my garden, I unearthed a green marble, a cat’s eye. I held it in my hand and wondered about the little boy or girl who lost it. I imagined how neat it would be to be able to hold the marble tight in my hand and have it whisk me back in time to the boy’s life. I’d be able to see what he saw, walk beside him, and maybe witness some horrible crime. And what if the villain was still alive today? What if he was my next-door neighbor?
That was all it took to dislodge me from the LeGarde Mysteries for a few months. With my wife’s urging, I gave into the desire to create a new world. I didn’t expect it to turn into another series. But it did.
This is book one in the green marble series, otherwise known as Moore Mysteries. And yes, I blame my wife for the whole thing.

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

Much of my books’ environments match my own. In Double Forté, I used the stark beauty of winter in the Genesee Valley as a backdrop. In Tremolo: cry of the loon, I summoned my memories of lakeside summers in Maine. In Mazurka, I used all the tastes, sounds, scents and experiences from a stint in Europe. I find whenever I go to a new locale (Adirondacks, Thailand, etc.) that the area inevitably ends up in my books. A sense of place is very important to me, and I integrate it into my stories at all times.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

I love to wander in my gardens, cook feasts for my extended family, take photos of the beautiful Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes here in Western NY, and take long hikes at Letchworth State Park.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I maintain two author websites: http://www.mooremysteries.com and http://www.legardemysteries.com. The latter has more info on it including events, etc, as I’m just now building up the Moore Mysteries site. Readers are also welcome to contact me at aaron dot lazar at yahoo dot com with questions or to order personally autographed copies. You can read scads of articles about writing, life, and more at
http://www.aplazar.gather.com/, and I’m part owner in a writers’ website: http://www.murderby4.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for dropping by, Aaron. Don't forget to give your wife the money when it rolls in.

LOL. Susan, thanks for having me here today!

A weekend of remembrance

Like many of you, I attended a touching memorial to 9/11 victims and the families they left behind. I'm very patriotic and it shows. I love this country and I love my family and friends, so this weekend became a time to reminiscese about family and friends who touched my life--for many years or only a fleeting moment--and I'll never be the same.

I often bring memories into my writing, and even though I write about child abuse and killers, I actually had a wonderful wholesome childhood with two great parents who loved me and taught me about God, the Golden Rule, and a multitude of other things that have made me who I am. God created me and they molded me.

I thank God for each one of them, many no longer here, who provided unconditional love but let me spread my wings and find myself. If I'm fortunate enough to write many more books, there will be pieces of me in each one.

Can you find me?

Ahhhhh, that's part of the mystery, isn't it?

Available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats

Shawn Oetzel's Dying Moon

My guest today is Shawn Oetzel, author of Dying Moon. Shawn, welcome and tell us a little about yourself.

I am a father of three great kids – two of which are now teenagers, and one overprotective pooch named Hemingway! When not writing I work as a Probation Officer in Illinois. I am a big sports fan – especially Chicago sports. I have been writing pretty seriously for several years now and hope to one day be able to write full time.

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

Terry Brooks’ novel The Sword of Shannara was given to me the summer my mother got remarried. I was staying with my dad at the time and a neighbor loaned me the book because I played Dungeons & Dragons. That book got me through a tough summer of transition and got me hooked on the fantasy genre. I devoured every fantasy novel I could get my hands on after that, and still to this day I look forward to the release of Mr. Brooks’ new novels like it was Christmas Morning.
Later in life on a whim I picked up Thomas Harris’ book, Red Dragon which really opened my eyes to the thriller and crime fiction genres.

What are your writing goals?

My only real goal is to be able to write full time. I would love to be able to support my family with my writing. I do have this fantasy though of one day walking into a Barnes & Nobles and seeing someone pick a book of mine of the shelf.

What is your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

There is absolutely no feeling like being informed that something I have written has been accepted for publication. The desire to recapture that moment of pure happiness is what drives me to better myself as a writer.

Tell us about your latest book. Is it available in print and e-book formats?

Dying Moon is a speculative fiction tale. I it mixes the fantasy and crime fiction genres. I always wondered what would happen if somehow my two favorite genres were somehow combined and Dying Moon is the answer to that question.
The story focuses on and Elf, Kalen Or’wain and his exploits in Los Angeles where he is sent to stop a rogue Elf from completing a ritual that will turn the moon into a weapon of mass destruction. Along the way he is helped by an enigmatic FBI Agent and an LAPD Homicide Detective. Together these three race against time to stop Kalen’s enemy from unleashing a genocidal magic against the Elven race.

Where do you write? When? What do you have around you?

I tend to write in the evening when my household has settled in for the night. I like to pop in a movie for background noise while I am writing. I write everything out on legal pads which I know is different from most. I find if I am sitting in front of a monitor I freeze up and cannot seem to get the creative juices flowing. So, I write everything out on a legal pad and then type it up at a later time. The only thing I have to have is a glass of ice cold Dr. Pepper.

Any current projects?

I am currently shopping around a full length novel titled The Agency. It is a stand-alone novel that follows the story of one of the characters from Dying Moon. It is more commercial fiction and has a little of everything. Fans of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child as well as Dan Brown and the movie "National Treasure" along with the Arthurian Legend will enjoy The Agency.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Fans can follow me on Twitter and Facebook or they can email me with any questions or requests.
twitter.com/shawn_oetzel

facebook.com/shawn.oetzel

Oetzel73@gmail.com