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More More Time by @dseaburn Excerpt & #Giveaway by @RABTBookTours #fiction #time

Maxwell Ruth, a cantankerous, old high school history teacher falls down his basement stairs and soon thereafter starts hearing “The Words” over and over again— endingtimeendingtimeendingtime. His life is changed forever.

In this story we learn about the lives, loves, and losses of Max, Hargrove and Gwen Stinson, Beth and Bob Hazelwood, and Constance Young. They are lively, funny, at times; a little bit lost or wounded, yet resilient and hopeful.  They are wrestling with life’s most challenging issues, including, abuse, loss, infidelity, aging, secrecy and what gives life meaning. And, like all of us, they would like more, more time to find the answers to life’s most important questions. The clock, though, is always ticking and time is always short.

Excerpt

In the days after Maxwell Ruth fell down his basement stairs, he begins to hear something alarming. He decides to tell his best friend, Hargrove Stinson, even though Hargrove has gone through a similar problem when his wife, Gwen, started hearing things after their daughter, Sally, died.

“But something’s wrong.” Max grimaced, his eyes wide.

“Something’s wrong? What are you talking about?”

“Not long after I fell, I started hearing things.”

“What things?” Hargrove thought of Gwen. “Did you hear that?” she’d often say, fear in her eyes. His heart skipped a beat.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I don’t want you to think I’m…”

“What are you hearing, Max?” Hargrove’s words were more clipped than he had intended.

“It’s like, these words.”

“Someone talking?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s just this repetitive…” Max’s voice trailed off.

“A repetitive what?”

“You’ve been through enough of this…”

“Look, Max, tell me what’s going on.” Hargrove’s eyes didn’t move.

Max looked out the window again.

“Words. I’m hearing words. Woke me up after I got home from the hospital. Words slung together over and over again.” Max shrugged, his jaw went slack. “They go away. They come back. I don’t know what the hell it is.”

“Words, it sounds like words?”

Hargrove’s back stiffened. The hair on his neck prickled. “Listen. I hear her,” Gwen would say. “It’s Sally, I’m sure of it. She needs me.” He scrutinized Max’s face, looking for the terror, for the cold panic so familiar to Hargrove, but it wasn’t there.

“What did your doctor say? Did you tell him you’re hearing voices?”

“Jesus Christ, I’m not hearing voices!” Max threw the marker on the floor and walked to the window again. He wiped his face with his hand. Hargrove went to him and reached for his shoulder but then withdrew his hand.

“Okay, okay, you’re not hearing voices. You’re hearing words.”

“Yes, I’m hearing words.” Max turned around to face his friend.

“What words?”

“One word is ‘ending’ and the other word is ‘time.’” Max shrugged his shoulders.

“Time ending?” said Hargrove, his voice a monotone.

“When I hear it, it’s ‘ending time.’ And they run together like they’re a single word playing on a continuous loop: endingtimeendingtimeendingtime.” Max frowned and nodded his head to one side as he said this.

“That’s it?” Max shook his head. The corner of Hargrove’s mouth twitched slightly. “What did the doctor say?”

“Well,” said Max, looking at the floor. “I didn’t exactly tell him.”

“Jesus, Max.”

“Look, that’s all I need. A doctor thinking I’ve gone off the deep end.” Max paused. “I don’t need a friend thinking I’ve gone off the deep end either.”

“Of course not.” Hargrove cleared his throat. Max put his hand on his briefcase as if he were about to leave. “But, Jesus, Max, you should have told your doctor about this. I mean, maybe something can be done. Maybe if you had a CT or an MRI, they could find the cause. It has to be something.”

“Had those. Nothing’s wrong.”

Hargrove was quiet.

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” said Max.

Hargrove studied Max’s face, his full cheeks and wide eyes seeming almost childlike.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Savant Books and Publications

About the Author

David B. Seaburn served a rural country parish, worked in community mental health, was an assistant professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center for twenty years, and also directed a free public school-based family counseling center before his retirement in 2010. He has written five novels: More More Time (2015), Chimney Bluffs (2012), Charlie No Face (2011—Finalist in General Fiction, National Indie Excellence Awards), Pumpkin Hill (2007), and Darkness is as Light (2005). He and his wife live near Rochester, NY. They have two adult daughters and two wonderful granddaughters.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @dseaburn | Blog

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Book-Fiction

Fang and Claw by Markie Madden @naddya81975 Interview by #thetoiboxofwords #paranormal #crime

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I’m sharing a special interview with author, Markie Madden, about her fiction book entitled, Fang and Claw. Enjoy!

Where did the idea for Fang and Claw (Undead Unit Book 1) come from?

I was just in that twilight moment between wakefulness and sleep when the idea for the book (and the whole series) came to me. I was watching a Supernatural DVD marathon that night. I had just about gotten fully asleep (difficult enough for me as I’m a chronic insomniac) when suddenly I was wide awake and grabbing for my phone. To use as a light. While I struggled to make notes on a Post-It note. Without my glasses on. LOL

How did the title of this book come about?

No one’s asked me this yet! The title is a spin off of the phrase “fighting tooth and nail”, because my two main characters who are a Vampire and a Werewolf start out hating each other’s guts. Hence, “fighting fang and claw”!

What genre is this book and why did you choose to make it so?

This book is obviously in the crime genre but it fits into paranormal as well. Or supernatural, if you like that better. I think it will appeal to people who like either crime, paranormal, or both. Or just about anyone.

What would you say is the overall message or the theme of this book?

I’ve begun this series with Immortals, various species who are known and accepted by humans. Accepted as much as any minority is, anyway. The Immortals are required to take the Undead Oath which prevents them from harming humans. But they still suffer the same prejudice that many minorities faced, or still face, in society today. I’ve tried to make them as “normal” as I could, in a literary attempt to point out to readers that we’re all “normal”.

Tell me about the experience of writing this book; how long did it take.

I’ve been working on this book for probably 6 or 8 months now, maybe a little more. I’ve slept since then so you have to pardon my memory. Much of law enforcement techniques I didn’t need to research (I spent nearly 14 years of my life working in law enforcement positions), but there were certain elements which I had to look up since I wasn’t familiar with them. At one point I set myself the goal of writing 3,000 words a day and that worked really well.

Tell me about the main storyline within this book.

Lacey is a lieutenant with the Dallas Police, just put in charge of a new unit of Immortals (or Undead) dedicated to solving crimes among other Immortals. She’s a Vampire with a past; her entire family was massacred by a Werewolf pack. Colton is a detective, and he’s been assigned as her partner and second in command. He’s a Wolf, a descendant of the pack that killed Lacey’s family. They have to learn to overcome their prejudices and solve a case that spans decades.

Who is the protagonist of this story?

Both Lacey and Colton would be the main ones. They’re the “good guys”, the ones who are investigating and solving the crime, they protect and serve. Lacey likes fast cars and expensive luxuries. Colton and his wife and 5 pups live in an apartment in a building full of other Werewolves. These two couldn’t be more different from one another. But they both have a strong sense of justice and are tough as nails against those who commit crimes.

Who is the antagonist of this story?

I can’t tell you what species of Immortal he is (spoiler), but he’s based on actual Native American lore and he is just generally nasty and likes to cause trouble. He’s your typical “bad guy”, one who enjoys being bad. He’s responsible for several assaults that span a couple decades, and he’s been just sly enough not to get caught. Until now.

What is the major conflict in this story?

Besides having the mystery to solve, Lacey and Colton have to come to terms with the fact that they’re being partnered together. Lacey is unaware at the beginning that Colton is related to the pack that killed her family. Once this truth comes out, it becomes very difficult for them to work together. They have to learn how to be partners and trust one another with their lives.

Where and when is this story taking place?

This takes place in Dallas, Texas, a little over a hundred years from now. Not so far into the future that things and cities would be unrecognizable to a reader, but enough where I can take just a few liberties.

Who is your favorite character in this book?

Lacey has got to be my favorite. She’s a no-nonsense kind of gal who doesn’t take any s*** off anyone. She’s a little like me: I mentioned I have a law enforcement background. When you’re a woman in a predominately male profession, especially one fraught with danger, you learn how to be a hard butt because that adds a level of protection for you. I got so good at projecting a fierce face that I never had to lay hands on anyone in my 14 years.

Are there elements of your personality or life experiences in this book?

As mentioned above, I have a bit of experience in law enforcement, which also includes some private investigation. While I was never a police officer, I dealt with them regularly and did personal protection details, among other things. So some of that experience has come in handy in writing this book.

What is one thing from this book you wish was real or could happen to you?

I wish I drove the car that Lacey has. It’s an Audi S4 (I have an older model A6 sedan, but the S4 is just plain awesome!) and is the epitome of luxury!

What is something you wish wasn’t real and hope doesn’t happen to you?

Um, I’d tell you but it would be a spoiler. Let me just say that I’m afraid of heights and leave it at that.

Let’s say your book is being turned into a feature-length film; quick- cast the main two characters and pick a theme song or score.

For Lacey, Angelina Jolie hands-down (I liked her as a blond in Salt). Colton is a little harder, because I’d love to cast Sean Connery (maybe when he was younger.) Barring him, I’d have to say Jared Padalecki (assuming he could be tough-he’s already got awkward down pat!)

Do you have any special plans for this book in the near or far future?

I’m already hard at work on the sequel, book 2 of the Undead Unit. It’s called Souls of the Reaper and will be released (I hope) early next year. Plus I’ve got books 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the planning stages. I’m really excited about them too!

~

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. To obtain your copy of Fang and Claw, please visit the link provided.

Metamorph Publishing
(Available at Amazon.com & other online retailers)

Also, check out Markie’s Facebook Event for
fun games and prizes related to this release.

This has been a

interviewpic-toibox

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Book-Non-fiction Virtual Book Tours

Dazzled by Maxine Nunes Virtual Book Tour Interview by #thetoiboxofwords via @RABTBookTours #fiction #mystery

Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I’m sharing a special interview with author, Maxine Nunes, about her fiction book entitled, Dazzled. Enjoy!

Amazon

Where did the idea for Dazzled come from?

When I first came to LA, I was, for a very, very short time, an actor. I saw so many rootless people living in a kind of limbo between their ambition, their illusions and reality — and I also met the predators who used them. It was the perfect cauldron for a mystery.

How did the title of this book come about?

DAZZLED is a mystery set in L.A., and on so many levels, that’s exactly what his city does. It dazzles — the relentless sun in a brilliant blue sky, platinum blonde hair, premiere lights sweeping the night, the star power, the wealth. And it’s not only brilliantly compelling, it can also blind you in ways that can be dangerous.

What genre is this book and why did you choose to make it so?

It’s a mystery with a noir feel. I’ve always been drawn to that genre, from classics like Raymond Chandler to contemporary greats like Megan Abbott.

What would you say is the overall message or the theme of this book?

There are several themes that interested me: I think the main theme may be the question posed at the very beginning of the book. “What’s real?” And in DAZZLED, some of the elements that play into that question are: What is friendship and what does it demand of us? Can we ever really know the people we’re closest to? What is beauty and why is it so powerful?

Tell me about the experience of writing this book; how long did it take.

It took a long time! The plot is complex, and I’ll rework sentences until I’m really satisfied. (If I hadn’t sold the book, I’d probably still be working on it! In fact, I did do a little tweaking for the new paperback edition.) But I also did a lot of research that was very exciting for me. I went down to the County Coroner so that I could really capture that experience in the book. And I learned to shoot a gun, because I knew I needed to get that right.

Tell me about the main storyline within this book.

It opens during a brutal L.A. heatwave. Four people have been murdered in the Hollywood Hills and Nikki Easton’s best friend Darla Ward has disappeared. The police think she might be one of the victims.

As she searches for the truth, Nikki discovers the hidden side of her friend’s life, laying bare secrets buried before Darla was born, and uncovering widening layers of corruption that reach far beyond Hollywood to the highest levels of government.

Who is the protagonist of this story?

Nikki Easton was a teen runaway who left home at 15 and spent the years since on the move. But now she’s nearing thirty, and has finally decided to build a life for herself. She’s drawn to an acting career, and is trying to work through the emotions she’s been running from since she was 15.

Who is the antagonist of this story?

I’m afraid you won’t know that till you turn the last page.

Who is your favorite character in this book?

Well, I love Nikki. It’s her voice that’s with us on every page. But Detective Adder is pretty damn sexy in a rough-hewn kind of way.

Are there elements of your personality or life experiences in this book?

I think in most fiction, the main character is fueled by the author’s emotional life, and in a way, Nikki is tied emotionally to me — but she’s a far braver, gutsier person than I am, that’s for sure.

What is something you wish wasn’t real and hope doesn’t happen to you?

I never want to find myself staring down the wrong end of a gun.

Let’s say your book is being turned into a feature length film; quick- cast the main two characters and pick a theme song or score.

Clare Danes is the perfect Nikki Easton. But I’m not sure who I’d cast as Adder. In my mind he’s kind of young Steve McQueen.

Do you have any special plans for this book in the near or far future?

Until now, it was only available in an expensive hardcover edition and on Kindle. But it’s just been released in paperback — and it’s half off for just a limited time — so I’m hoping more people will be able to read it! Check out the first chapters on Amazon.

~

Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. To obtain your copy of Dazzled, please visit the links provided.

Special introductory price for the paperback is $6.37 (will be $12.99).
And the Kindle edition is just $3.99.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

This has been a

interviewpic-toibox

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords