Monday, August 30, 2010

Author Interview with Linda Weaver Clarke

I am very happy to have a special guest at Socrates' Book Review Blog, author Linda Weaver Clarke. She's a very interesting person and I hope you all enjoy reading the interview.




Anasazi Intrigue is the first book in a mystery adventure series. What is it about?

It’s about a devastating flood that takes out several homes in a small town, the importance of preserving ancient artifacts, and a few puzzling and mysterious events. Julia is a reporter, and when she finds out about a possible poison spill that kills some fish and neighbor's pets, she has a feeling that something isn’t quite right. Before she realizes what is happening, Julia finds out that this incident is much bigger and more dangerous than she thought. With dead fish, a devastating flood, and miscreants chasing John and Julia, they have their hands full.


Your first five books are historical romance. What is the difference from writing mystery versus romance?

The writing process of changing from romance to mystery is quite a change with a completely different mind set. It’s so different from telling a love story. With romance, you plan out the plot around the meeting of a couple. As you write, you develop some sort of charisma between the characters, making the reader feel excited that one day they're going to hit it off and fall in love. You, as the reader, know what the outcome will be. But with a mystery, the reader is in the dark. The author has to come up with a plot that no one knows about until towards the end of the story and hope they haven’t figured it out. In a mystery, you may or may not allow your reader to know who the bad guys are, according to whether it’s just a mystery or mystery suspense. Do you know the difference between a mystery and a mystery suspense novel? In a mystery, when a knock is heard at the door, the reader doesn't know who's behind it. With mystery suspense, the reader knows who's behind the door and yells to the heroine, "Don't open the door!"

Can you tell us about your new book, Mayan Intrigue?


It’s about the discovery of a priceless artifact that puts Julia’s life in great danger. While on assignment for the newspaper, John and Julia try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins, but when Julia accidentally comes upon a couple suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it’s too late. Before John and Julia realize what's going on, they find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan. To read an excerpt from each of my books, you can visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

What type of research goes into creating one of your mystery novels?

A great deal of research, starting with artifact thievery to the terrible disaster that happened in southern Utah! For example, the inspiration for my first mystery, Anasazi Intrigue, came from a true experience that really happened right here in my little valley in southern Utah. The Santa Clara/Virgin River flood in 2005 was a terrible disaster. About 200 homes were seriously damaged and 25 were completely destroyed. The small five-foot-wide river, which could easily be crossed on foot or in a car, grew as wide as the length of a football field, and it was taking everything in its path. In three days time, it had dug into the earth’s surface, carving away at the banks, creating ridges as high as forty feet deep. In fact, the river was moving at ten feet per hour, just like a plow pushing the dirt and trees down the river.


Everyone worked hard to help the residents remove what they could from their homes before the flood hit, but there were those who escaped with only the clothes on their backs. The experience of charity and compassion by the people was incredible. There was no prejudice of religion, race, culture, or status, just unconditional love and concern for everyone. Homes, clothes, and food were instantly found for the homeless. We all gathered together and tried to help in anyway possible. Several weeks later, a man actually found his car thirty miles downstream from his home. The research I did in this novel made my mouth drop open with amazement. What took years for nature to create, nature was able to destroy within seconds. Who would ever have guessed that the creek would swell to such width, viciously cutting away at the landscape?


In this set of mysteries, you write about artifact theft. Why?

It’s a very intriguing subject. That’s why I call it the Intrigue series. In my research, I found that archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year. Did you know that an ancient funeral pit can be sold for $60,000 on the black market? Not to mention all the pottery, baskets, and pendants found by looters. Did you know that looting is only second to selling illegal drugs?

Archaeological thievery is becoming more and more of a problem every year but Utah’s vandalism is the worst in the country. Theft at the Four Corners area of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona is still a big problem. An article in the Associated Press really opened my eyes. It said that 24 people were indicted for stealing artifacts from the Four Corners area. There were around 300 federal agents that were involved in the arrest of both men and women from ages 27 to 78. They found these people were all part of an underground network. It hit the pages like wild fire.

Did you know that archaeological theft has gone corporate, like any legal business?

An article in the Las Vegas Newspaper was about a couple men who were loading some artifacts in the trunk of their car. A ranger saw what they were doing and questioned them. He didn’t realize he had accidentally stumbled upon the largest operation around. They recovered more than 11,100 relics.

While researching Mayan Intrigue, my eyes were opened to the problems they have in southern Mexico. When an ancient ruin is discovered, it doesn’t take long for thieves to take it apart. The reason why is because the Mayas used astrological alignments when planning their city. Looters have learned the layout of the Mayan cities so they know where to dig. With this knowledge, they can loot a sacred temple in a few days. While writing Mayan Intrigue, I found that artifact theft in Mexico has been taken over by drug dealers from Columbia. In other words, since organized crime has taken over, there is also an increase of violence. I ask myself, can anything be done to save Ancient American history? Yes. If no one bought the artifacts, that would put a damper on artifact theft.

Is another novel in the works?


Oh yes! In this mystery series, there are three books that deal with similar subjects. Montezuma’s treasure, sacred gold statues, mysterious happenings, Superstition Mountain, the Lost Dutchman Mine, and the Thunder God! This book is about a leather parchment that supposedly leads to Montezuma’s treasure. With Julia’s help, they convince John to go on a treasure hunt. Is Montezuma’s treasure a legend or reality? Whatever the case, John insists on keeping their little Treasure Hunt a secret. If certain people find out about it, the family could be in danger. During this little escapade, Matthew, a kindred friend to April Evans, is trying to get the courage to tell her that he truly loves her.

On August 30th, I’m having a celebration for the release of Mayan Intrigue. I’m having a book give away at my Blog at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. I hope your followers come to visit. In fact, I have a book give away every Monday.



Thank you so much, Linda, for appearing on our blog!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

How To Wash A Cat by Rebecca M. Hale




Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Mass Paperback

This is from the back cover blurb:

A young woman’s uncle, Oscar, suddenly dies and leaves her his antique shop, the Green Vase. The shop is in the Jackson Square neighborhood in San Francisco and is dedicated to the Gold Rush era. Unsure of what to do with the shop, she packs up her two cats and moves into her uncle’s house.

It doesn’t take long before Oscar’s former associates and neighbors start snooping around the Green Vase. There’s more to the antique shop than meets the eye and questions begin to surround Oscar’s sudden death. Was it really a stroke?

This is the first in a brand new cozy series. Of course the cats part is what attracted me to this book. The cast of characters were quirky and fun. The storyline was a bit complicated and tied in with some real-life history. It made for a great start to a new mystery series. I already have the second book waiting in my TBR.



For reading challenges:

Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge
Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge
What an Animal Reading Challenge

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Murder Past Due by Miranda James




Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: EBook

The small town of Athena, Mississippi is turned upside down when one of their own returns home for a visit. Godfrey Priest is now a bestselling author, but as arrogant and obnoxious as ever. When Priest contacts widower Charlie Harris, Charlie is more than a little surprised since Priest never wanted anything to do with him before.

Along with his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, Charlie talks to Priest and is pleased to hear the author wants to make a donation to the college library where Charlie is a part-time librarian. Not long after they meet, Priest is found dead and Charlie happens to be the one who finds the body. Now, much to the chagrin of the local police, he conducts his own investigation. Otherwise, he might find himself behind bars.

Charlie makes many discoveries along the way. His 18 year old boarder, Justin, has a few family secrets and obviously hiding something about Priest. Justin’s mother, Julia, also has some secrets and Charlie wonders if she’s protecting someone. As the investigation progresses, he learns that more than half the town wanted Priest dead but he’s still no closer to finding out who actually accomplished this deed.

This is the first book in Miranda James’ new series “Cat in the Stacks Mysteries” and she’s off to a good start. The characters still need to be developed more, but readers will adore Charlie and Diesel. The plot is classic cozy with a cast of several characters who could have committed the crime. I did figure out the culprit before the last page, but I loved finding out the ‘whys’ of it all. It’s books like this that make me remember why I love cozies so much. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series.






For reading challenges:

Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge
What An Animal Reading Challenge

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Caught by Harlan Coben




Genre: Suspense
Format: EBook

Social Worker Dan Mercer is a friend to troubled teens. He’s there to help them through all the difficult times. Needless to say, the suburban New Jersey community he lives in is shocked to learn that he might be a pedophile and could be responsible for the disappearance of a popular teenage girl.

Reporter Wendy Tynes helps to catch and arrest Dan on her TV show “Caught in the Act”. Due to a technicality, the charges are dropped and Dan is a free man. However, he’s not really free as public opinion has already found him guilty of the crime. His former life no longer exists as he loses his job and standing in the community.

Strange things begin happening and Wendy begins to doubt her own intuition and actions. She fears she may have helped destroy an innocent man and conducts her own investigation. She never expected her own life and her teenage son to be in any danger, but that’s exactly what happens.

This is Harlan Coben as his best. It has been awhile since I’ve read one of his novels but he never fails to disappoint me. He takes the reader on a true rollercoaster ride. Readers never knew which way he’d turn next. There were unexpected twists and turns right up to the very last page. Another great book with characters I really cared about.

I’ve been on a roll lately…another 5 kitties and another for the Socrates Great Book Alert Award.





For reading challenge:

A to Z Reading Challenge

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A-Z Wednesday


This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach


Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one with an author whose first or last name starts with the letter of the week.

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.

Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

(We all love comments, don't we?)

Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "C"



I just finished reading Harlan Coben's Caught and absolutely loved it (review to follow in a couple of days), so that's the book I'm featuring this week for "C" authors...



This is from Fantastic Fiction:

An explosive new stand-alone thriller from #1 New York Times bestseller Harlan Coben

Wendy is a reporter on a mission: She's chasing down the lowest of the low-sexual predators-and exposing them on national television. Her big break comes when she nails a child advocate who works with abused and underserved children. She's there, cameras rolling, when the cops cuff him and the guy realizes his life is well and truly over.

Three months later, the perp is off the grid, missing and presumed dead after the father of a victim claims to have killed him. Wendy, proud to have taken the man down in front of a shocked television audience, has moved on to the story of a missing girl, Erin, in a nearby suburb. The whole country is obsessed with finding this child, and Wendy should be well on her way to journalistic superstardom.

Then is all comes unhinged: Wendy gets a phone call that changes everything. A group of local fathers, out of work and not above vigilante justice, begins to take matters into their own hands on Erin's behalf. Secrets long-buried rise to the surface and Wendy begins to wonder if her assumptions that fateful night three months ago were based on solid investigative journalism-or if she has unwittingly been part of a grand manipulation aiming to destroy and innocent man.


WWW Wednesdays



If you'd like to play along with WWW Wednesdays, just click the button above.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers...

What are you currently reading?



What did you recently finish reading?



What do you think you’ll read next?

Not sure, but maybe...

Monday, August 23, 2010

Book Review of “Hometown Girl” by Michele Ashman Bell

(Book Give-Away August 23 - 30: for those interested in Hometown Girl,
leave a comment about this review with your e-mail at
http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. International.)

Hometown Girl is a delightful romance full of humor. When Jocelyn moves
into the home she inherited from her grandmother, the laughter begins. One
thing after another happens to her while fixing up the home, which is in
need of great repair. Read the review by Linda Weaver Clarke and win
Michele’s new book.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Alex Cross Reading Challenge


Since last year's Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge helped me to finally finish that series, I decided to start one for the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. I've only read the first book, so I'll be starting with the second book.

Here are the guidelines...

1. Choose how many books you'd like to read from the series. You can read the entire series or however many you'd like. It's up to you! You can change your mind any time throughout the year.

2. All books need to be read between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011. Books read prior to September 1st don't count for this challenge.

3. If you want to participate, just post about it on your blog with a link back to here. Make sure you list the books you need to read.

4. Audio and Ebooks are acceptable. You can also use these books for other challenges.

5. Please use Mr. Linky below to sign up. Use the link to your post about this challenge, not your main blog address. Links that don't go directly to your challenge post will be deleted.

6. Once you complete the challenge, please post the link to your wrap-up blog post with Mr. Linky (I will put up a Mr. Linky for completed lists.)

7. There will also be a Mr. Linky for reviews, although posting your reviews are not a requirement.

8. You can take the button above and post it on your blog.

These are the books in the series that have already been published...

1 Along Came a Spider
2 Kiss the Girls
3 Jack & Jill
4 Cat and Mouse
5 Pop! Goes the Weasel
6 Roses Are Red
7 Violets Are Blue
8 Four Blind Mice
9 The Big Bad Wolf
10 London Bridges
11 Mary, Mary
12 Cross
13 Double Cross
14 Cross Country
15 Alex Cross's TRIAL
16 I, Alex Cross

I already read Along Came A Spider, so I will start with Kiss the Girls. I'm going to try and read 5 books:

Kiss the Girls Click for review
Jack & Jill
Cat and Mouse
Pop! Goes the Weasel
Roses Are Red

Please sign up to participate in the challenge using Mr. Linky below. Please fill in your name (or your blog's name) and post the link which leads us to your post about the challenge on your blog (not your main blog link).



Please use Mr. Linky below to post your completed reviews. Please fill in your name (Title of Book) and post the link which leads us directly to your review on your blog (not your main blog link).



Once you complete the challenge, please use Mr. Linky below to post your link to your wrap up post.

James Patterson Reading Challenge II



I decided that I love reading James Patterson's books so much that I'm going to begin a new James Patterson reading challenge. In the next couple of days, I'll be starting an Alex Cross challenge, too!

This one is a bit different than last year. You get to choose how many books you want to read.

Level 1 - Read 2 books...just trying them out
Level 2 - Read 5 books...a loyal fan
Level 3 - Read 10+ books...obsessed with James Patterson

Here are the guidelines...

1. Choose one of the levels above. You do not need to make a list of what you will read now or, if you want, you can. However, nothing is written in stone and the books you list can be changed at any time. Overlapping books with other challenges is allowed.

2. Although you can change books throughout the year, you cannot change your level of participation. So, choose one level and that's what you must stick with for the year.

3. As long as it's written by James Patterson, you can use the book in this challenge. Even if you are part of my upcoming Alex Cross challenge, you can overlap books and count them as part of this challenge.

3. All books need to be read between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011. Books read prior to September 1st don't count for this challenge.

4. If you want to participate, just post about it on your blog with a link back to here.

3. Audio and Ebooks are acceptable.

4. Please use Mr. Linky below to sign up. Use the link to your post about this challenge, not your main blog address. Links that don't go directly to your challenge post will be deleted.

5. Once you complete the challenge, please post the link to your wrap-up blog post with Mr. Linky (I will put up a Mr. Linky for completed lists.)

6. There will also be a Mr. Linky for reviews, although posting your reviews are not a requirement.

7. You can take the button above and post it on your blog.

I haven't picked all my books yet, but I'm choosing Level 2 and will list my books here...

1. Private Click for review
2. Don't Blink Click for review
3. The Postcard Killers Click for review
4. Kiss the Girls Click for review
5. The Midnight Club Click for review



Post the links for your reviews using Mr. Linky below. Please make sure the link is the direct link to your review and not to your blog. Post your Name (Title of book) and then the link to the review. Thanks!



Use the Mister Linky below to post a link to your wrap up post once you've completed the challenge.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Stones Skipping on Water by Richard Taylor




Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Reincarnation, Paranormal
Format: EBook

Wealthy entrepreneur John Kincaide develops a memory enhancement drug called ClearThought. One of his employee’s, Gordon Bischoff, takes a huge amount of the drug and claims he has been able to see the past lives he has led. When he sees John with his new girlfriend, Vanessa, he accuses John of murdering them in a previous life. Gordon is determined to not only get revenge for his death, but win back Vanessa’s heart.

John doesn’t believe any of this, but he realizes how dangerous Bischoff is and vows to protect Vanessa. He’s convinced Bischoff took an overdose of the drug and is now having a mental breakdown. Vanessa is not quite as sure as John. She begins to wonder if Bischoff could be telling the truth and wants to test the drug out for herself. John sees the danger in this, but can he stop her before it’s too late?

This is a story of reincarnation, paranormal, romance, mystery and suspense. As I read the book, I became totally caught up in the story. Sometimes a book comes along and sticks with you long after you’ve read the last page, this is that book for me. The suspense and mystery is woven throughout the entire storyline and keeps readers completely captivated until the shocking ending.

I’ve become a huge Richard Taylor fan. This is the second book I’ve read by him and, once again, I’m giving him 5 kitties and my Socrates Great Book Alert Award.






For reading challenges…

What’s in A Name? 3 Reading Challenge



Stones Skipping on Water at Smashwords

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A-Z Wednesday


This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach


Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one with an author whose first or last name starts with the letter of the week.

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.

Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

(We all love comments, don't we?)

Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "B"



My book this week is one I haven't read, but it's on my Nook and looks really good...



The synopsis is from Amazon and Publisher's Weekly...

As in the audio adaptation of Butcher's first Dresden Files novel, Storm Front, Marsters (who played Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) slips easily into the role of down-on-his-luck wizard Harry Dresden. Marsters's self-deprecating tone fits the character perfectly; he reads with a dry, ironic humor that doesn't mask Harry's genuine concern for the lives of innocents. Marsters also displays a remarkable skill for lending even the strangest characters and creatures voices-including gentleman gangster Johnny Marconi, his henchmen, a sexy female werewolf and Bob, the British-accented talking skull. In this outing, Harry is again out of cash, and police detective Karrin Murphy, who's still angry at him over the events of the first book, isn't inclined to throw work his way. But soon a series of mysterious, violent murders sends her to Harry for help. Are the killings the work of a local motorcycle gang? Or a werewolf-and if so, which werewolf? Mac Finn, the werewolf environmentalist? The group of idealistic college kids who voluntarily become werewolves by night? Or the trigger-happy group of FBI agents turned werewolf vigilantes? Though the price of this audio package may put off some listeners, Marsters's lively telling makes it worth every penny.

WWW Wednesdays



If you'd like to play along with WWW Wednesdays, just click the button above.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers...

What are you currently reading?




What did you recently finish reading?



What do you think you’ll read next?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Teaser Tuesdays - August 17th



If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This week I'm reading




"John, you've got to come out here!" he yelled. I moved the receiver away from my ear.

"Peter, what is it?"

"It's Bischof. He's, he's--"

"He's what?"

"He's crazy! He's locked up in his lab, and he won't come out. He keeps calling people by different names. He's got a gun, John!"


Stones Skipping on Water by Richard Taylor

Monday, August 16, 2010

Interview with Best Selling Author Rachel Ann Nunes!

Interview with Best Selling Author Rachel Ann Nunes! Book Give-Away August 16 - 23: for those interested in Imprints, leave a comment about this interview with your e-mail at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com. U.S. and Canada.

Contemporary romance: A young woman is missing. In desperation, her
parents turn to Autumn Rain for help. Autumn reads imprints - emotions
mysteriously left behind on certain treasured objects. But will this
ability enrich her life or destroy it? Autumn isn't sure - her life has
become far from normal - but for people whose loved ones are missing, her talent might mean the difference between life and death.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension by DCS




Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction
Format: Ebook

The thrilling sequel to Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening is here and promises to be just as thrilling. What Stefano Vasco Terenzio started many years ago, his heirs continue in the year 2012.

The Terenzio family is devoted to saving humankind from their Anunnaki enemies, whose goal is to control Planet Earth. This mission proves to be more difficult than anyone thought, as not all the Terenzios are on the same page. There are some members of the family more than willing to destroy their own and all of humanity, but they must be stopped before the calendar turns to December 21st, 2012 or all hope is lost.

Each character is perfectly crafted and takes on a life of its own with each page. It’s a story of betrayal, loyalty, romance and evil all rolled into one amazing story. A truly fascinating, captivating novel. When you begin reading it, make sure you have enough time to finish as you won’t want to put it down. I practically devoured this book.

I give it 4 kitties.

Sunday Salon - Another Week Goes By



If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

I had a decent reading week. I finished two ebooks - The 9th Judgment by James Patterson and Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension by DCS (review coming soon!). I also completed an audio book "Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment" by James Patterson. Plus, I finished a Harlequin Superromance "The Temptation of Savannah O'Neill" by Molly O'Keefe. All four books were really good. Finishing three books in one week is great for me and even better that I enjoyed all three of them. So, that gives me five books for August, so far.

I finished two reading challenges and they just happen to be two that I host :) The James Patterson Reading Challenge and the Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge. They were fun and the great thing is that it got me to finally complete the WMC books. I was so far behind and now I'm all caught up. Most likely I will be hosting another Patterson challenge and one for his Alex Cross series. I'll probably start them for September 1st. I'll post when I have them ready.

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and their reading!

Have a great week!


Saturday, August 14, 2010

James Patterson Reading Challenges




The James Patterson Reading Challenge and the Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge have come to an end. Thanks to all who signed up. I hope you had fun with them whether you completed the challenges or not.

I managed to complete them both right down to the wire. LOL My list of completed reads for each challenge are at James Patterson Reading Challenge and Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge.

I've always loved James Patterson's work and I think I've become an even bigger fan over this past year. I'm considering starting two new challenges...one for James Patterson again, but this time at different levels (you can choose the number of books to read) and for the Alex Cross series (I've only read the first book in this popular series). I'm not sure yet if I'll do it. Is there any interest in me hosting these challenges? Comment here and let me know.