“The Zebra Affaire” by Mark Fine: An Interview | Between the Beats
I had the privilege of interviewing Mark Fine, author of "The Zebra Affaire".
Friday, June 26, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Birthing a Book: The Launch of “Riddle” | Between the Beats
Birthing a Book: The Launch of “Riddle” | Between the Beats
On Sunday
June 21, 2015 I launched my second book, “Riddle”. She “weighed” in at a
whopping 326 pages. That’s quite a bit larger than her older sister, “View From
the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale” who was a tiny 212 pages. I hope older sister
won’t feel too threatened by “Riddle”; after all “View” has 48 reviews already
and has a delightful 4.5-star rating overall. Not too shabby for a first born.
June 21, 2015 I launched my second book, “Riddle”. She “weighed” in at a
whopping 326 pages. That’s quite a bit larger than her older sister, “View From
the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale” who was a tiny 212 pages. I hope older sister
won’t feel too threatened by “Riddle”; after all “View” has 48 reviews already
and has a delightful 4.5-star rating overall. Not too shabby for a first born.
But more
about “Riddle”; she has some things to offer that her older sister doesn’t,
besides her larger size. The protagonists in “Riddle” are much younger, in
their twenties, which makes them a bit livelier. (Although Bill and Olivia
certainly showed the world that couples in their sixties and seventies can
still act like “twenty-year olds”. Similar to “View”, Kort Eriksen has been
accused and convicted of murder. Grace Donahue, the new girl temporarily in the
town of Riddle, believes in him. Unlike “View” there are more murders; a lot
more murders. The plot twists and turns and as new characters are introduced,
suspicion will undoubtedly shift from one to another.
about “Riddle”; she has some things to offer that her older sister doesn’t,
besides her larger size. The protagonists in “Riddle” are much younger, in
their twenties, which makes them a bit livelier. (Although Bill and Olivia
certainly showed the world that couples in their sixties and seventies can
still act like “twenty-year olds”. Similar to “View”, Kort Eriksen has been
accused and convicted of murder. Grace Donahue, the new girl temporarily in the
town of Riddle, believes in him. Unlike “View” there are more murders; a lot
more murders. The plot twists and turns and as new characters are introduced,
suspicion will undoubtedly shift from one to another.
The subplot
of this book also addresses an injustice. You see, Kort, a First Nations
(Native American), was illegally adopted by a couple who turned out to be
abusive. He is never accepted in Riddle due to his heritage. This is actually
something that has happened to many First Nations children. In fact I address
this in the forward to the book.
of this book also addresses an injustice. You see, Kort, a First Nations
(Native American), was illegally adopted by a couple who turned out to be
abusive. He is never accepted in Riddle due to his heritage. This is actually
something that has happened to many First Nations children. In fact I address
this in the forward to the book.
The
developing relationship between Kort and Grace has a few twists of its own. Of
course there are others in the town as well. There are enough players to make
you wonder who is a bad guy and who is a good guy. But there are not so many
you lose track. Just when you think you have it all figured out, well, bingo.
Here you go again!
developing relationship between Kort and Grace has a few twists of its own. Of
course there are others in the town as well. There are enough players to make
you wonder who is a bad guy and who is a good guy. But there are not so many
you lose track. Just when you think you have it all figured out, well, bingo.
Here you go again!
I hope you
will check out “Riddle”. I know you will find it entertaining and exciting. If
you enjoy a good mystery thriller with enough romance thrown in to make you
tingle, then this is the book for you.
will check out “Riddle”. I know you will find it entertaining and exciting. If
you enjoy a good mystery thriller with enough romance thrown in to make you
tingle, then this is the book for you.
Check out
the trailer to get a real feel for the story and the characters. They are
waiting for you in “Riddle”. Step into town and meet them. But be careful, not
everyone is what he or she seems to be.
the trailer to get a real feel for the story and the characters. They are
waiting for you in “Riddle”. Step into town and meet them. But be careful, not
everyone is what he or she seems to be.
Friday, June 19, 2015
“Riddle”- Book Launch and Author Takeover | Between the Beats
“Riddle”- Book Launch and Author Takeover | Between the Beats
Come join us! June 21, 2015 at noon Eastern Time. Online at Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/events/1639536059611288/
Come join us! June 21, 2015 at noon Eastern Time. Online at Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/events/1639536059611288/
Sunday, June 14, 2015
“The Railroad” and The Hero’s Journey | Where the buck stops
“The Railroad” and The Hero’s Journey | Where the buck stops
A blog by author Neil Newton about his book The Railroad and his philosophy on life's journeys.
A blog by author Neil Newton about his book The Railroad and his philosophy on life's journeys.
Friday, June 12, 2015
“Finders Keepers” by Stephen King | Between the Beats
“Finders Keepers” by Stephen King | Between the Beats
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22453035-finders-keepers" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422630044m/22453035.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22453035-finders-keepers">Finders Keepers</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King">Stephen King</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1301113168">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Being a big fan of Stephen King’s writing I was excited when I received my copy of his latest book, “Finders Keepers”. Something of a sequel to “Mr. Mercedes”, a book I thoroughly enjoyed, “Finders Keepers” introduces new characters and brings back some old ones. <br>Beginning with the murder and robbery of a well known and now retired writer, John Rothstein, the book begins somewhat slowly. While the main character, Morris Bellamy, is well developed, his cohorts in crime are throw-aways. Granted their roles are somewhat insignificant in the scope of things, but it seems they could have been used more efficiently. From the beginning Bellamy is a nasty guy. It’s obvious he has a few screws loose. Obsessed with Rothstein fictional character Jimmy Gold, Bellamy hungers for the unpublished works of the soon to be late author. He is also resentful of the turn Bellamy’s writings took in the Jimmy Gold story. In many ways Bellamy is like Annie Wilkes from “Misery”. In fact there are a few similarities to “Misery” in this tale.<br>But not all obsessive fans of writers are as crazy as Bellamy. Peter Saubers loves the works of Rothstein as well. As chance, and King, would have it, young Pete stumbles upon the find of a lifetime. In a hidden trunk he finds a cache of money and the unpublished works of Rothstein. This happens to come along just as Pete’s family is suffering severe trials. Pete’s father is one of the damaged survivors of the “Mr. Mercedes” attack where innocent and desperate job seekers were waiting for a job fair. Pete’s family, barely surviving the loss of both parents’ incomes, is falling apart. While Pete kept his windfall secret, he begins to dole out the cash to keep the family afloat. However it’s the discovery of those unpublished works that keeps the story churning. After a somewhat slow beginning the story picks up nicely.<br>Beneath the surface of the story the ominous figure of Brady Hartsfield, the crazed Norman Bates type protagonist from “Mr. Mercedes”, is woven into the tapestry. It is through Brady that there is a hint of King’s skill at bringing the supernatural into the natural world.<br>“Finders Keepers” is an excellent sequel to “Mr. Mercedes”. While it is a book that can effectively stand alone, it is enriched when read after “Mr. Mercedes”. My investment in the characters was more intense as a result of reading the books in order. The best part of “Finders Keepers”? It left me wanting me more. I want to find out what happens to Holly on her journey. I want to learn about Jerome’s college experiences. I can’t wait to see if Hodges gets into more crime fighting situations. But most of all, I want to follow Brady Hartsfield wherever he is going. I have a sneaking suspicion it will be a dark trip.<br>If it was possible I’d give it a 4.5. As always, King’s use of words is eloquent. He paints his story with vibrant colors.<br><a href="http://elizabethnnewton.com/2014/06/12/mr-mercedes-stephen-king/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://elizabethnnewton.com/2014/06/1...</a><br>
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4737796-elizabeth-horton-newton">View all my reviews</a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22453035-finders-keepers" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422630044m/22453035.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22453035-finders-keepers">Finders Keepers</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King">Stephen King</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1301113168">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Being a big fan of Stephen King’s writing I was excited when I received my copy of his latest book, “Finders Keepers”. Something of a sequel to “Mr. Mercedes”, a book I thoroughly enjoyed, “Finders Keepers” introduces new characters and brings back some old ones. <br>Beginning with the murder and robbery of a well known and now retired writer, John Rothstein, the book begins somewhat slowly. While the main character, Morris Bellamy, is well developed, his cohorts in crime are throw-aways. Granted their roles are somewhat insignificant in the scope of things, but it seems they could have been used more efficiently. From the beginning Bellamy is a nasty guy. It’s obvious he has a few screws loose. Obsessed with Rothstein fictional character Jimmy Gold, Bellamy hungers for the unpublished works of the soon to be late author. He is also resentful of the turn Bellamy’s writings took in the Jimmy Gold story. In many ways Bellamy is like Annie Wilkes from “Misery”. In fact there are a few similarities to “Misery” in this tale.<br>But not all obsessive fans of writers are as crazy as Bellamy. Peter Saubers loves the works of Rothstein as well. As chance, and King, would have it, young Pete stumbles upon the find of a lifetime. In a hidden trunk he finds a cache of money and the unpublished works of Rothstein. This happens to come along just as Pete’s family is suffering severe trials. Pete’s father is one of the damaged survivors of the “Mr. Mercedes” attack where innocent and desperate job seekers were waiting for a job fair. Pete’s family, barely surviving the loss of both parents’ incomes, is falling apart. While Pete kept his windfall secret, he begins to dole out the cash to keep the family afloat. However it’s the discovery of those unpublished works that keeps the story churning. After a somewhat slow beginning the story picks up nicely.<br>Beneath the surface of the story the ominous figure of Brady Hartsfield, the crazed Norman Bates type protagonist from “Mr. Mercedes”, is woven into the tapestry. It is through Brady that there is a hint of King’s skill at bringing the supernatural into the natural world.<br>“Finders Keepers” is an excellent sequel to “Mr. Mercedes”. While it is a book that can effectively stand alone, it is enriched when read after “Mr. Mercedes”. My investment in the characters was more intense as a result of reading the books in order. The best part of “Finders Keepers”? It left me wanting me more. I want to find out what happens to Holly on her journey. I want to learn about Jerome’s college experiences. I can’t wait to see if Hodges gets into more crime fighting situations. But most of all, I want to follow Brady Hartsfield wherever he is going. I have a sneaking suspicion it will be a dark trip.<br>If it was possible I’d give it a 4.5. As always, King’s use of words is eloquent. He paints his story with vibrant colors.<br><a href="http://elizabethnnewton.com/2014/06/12/mr-mercedes-stephen-king/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://elizabethnnewton.com/2014/06/1...</a><br>
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4737796-elizabeth-horton-newton">View all my reviews</a>
Thursday, June 11, 2015
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