Book Blast: The Man from Sweet Loaf

The Man from Sweet Loaf by G.Franklin Prue

456 pages

Published: March 9, 2013

Format: Paperback

 Synopsis

I am hoping that crazy people run and sane people hide as they read my novel The Man from Sweet Loaf . The story is about Sam Murphy. He is a truck driver. He is a Vietnam era Veteran. He has PTSD, but he can only see his father as a winged Gargoyle. This is related to war veterans in every war. He falls in love with a Haitian woman, she belongs to a powerful Colonel Labossier in the Ton-Ton Macoute; Sam Murphy has to fight this man and his bodyguards. He enlists his brother who is a cop, Ray. However, with Myrthe this woman is involved in the culture of Voodoo.

Sam Murphy in a major section, As the Gargoyle sings to thee….this section deals with the relationship of his delusional view of his father. Thus, this dialogue shows us Sam’s fear towards him.

Sam Murphy, finds the Colonel dead, and his Myrthe free to be with him. But more definition to Sam and his past shows up on his door. Petey-Pete comes back to the Eastern shores, and visits his old truck driver partner. He is a major drug dealer from Florida, he is now a Rastafarian.

Petey-Pete is a symbol, he a Christ like figure for our image of the crucifixion. Sam’s brother, Ray is searching for this major drug lord. He is determined to get him. Sam has no idea of Petey-Pete being a major drug dealer, thus on a Sunday, Sam takes his family to church, Petey-Pete also attends. Ray spots Petey-Pete, shoots him dead on the church steps.

Sam goes to his dying friend, pulls out a book of poems; dedicate to their life on the road. Sam takes his daughter and wife and takes them away from this trauma, and leaves his past behind.

Excerpt:

The Man from Sweet Loaf

 A Novel By

 G. Franklin Prue

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 PART ONE: Earth, Wind, Fire           1

 PART TWO: The Lady from Haiti     143

 PART THREE: As the Gargoyle Sings to Thee          276

 PART FOUR: Crocker’s Landing      391

 

PART ONE

 Earth, Wind, Fire

 

1

The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to learn of the crow.

–Blake, Proverbs of Hell

Sunday, 22 August 1985. A kiss and a noble ending was not meant for them as they awake in each other’s arms. Mabel Friday, with brown rainbow sun hair, was just a child of jazz from the sixties. A cool chocolate popsicle. Sassy woman. With a high heel walk that would make you melt in five minutes. She rode out the sticky hot summer season with her boyfriend Sam, who drove a dented-up red truck. He carried carpets to new office buildings from a dusty-quiet city on the Eastern Maryland shores, Sweet Loaf. He made his runs through the I-95 Beltway: D.C., Maryland and Virginia. They met like other children in the past. On the street. Years after a war and the death of his soul in a Viet Cong raid. Sam came out in broken pieces of a no-nonsense selfish man. He even had the sailor nerve to paint on the side of his truck: EL, ZORRO.

Sam Murphy was a womanizer. A street gambler, common sense, drinking man. She would do almost anything for this man of many puzzling qualities. He was a hard man about living. Who wasn’t around most of the time, which made their screwing just a Sunday handshake. Now his other women didn’t make her mad and damn sure didn’t make her sad. Mabel knew she was a good woman for any man. But with Sam, she was on this road a long time. A long time. Cuddling, bouncing up in the back woods to the Sweet Loaf Carnival. They both drank up a lot of gin with the radio turned up to James Brown; begging for love on WKSL-AM Soul station. As they move behind the purple valley city and white corner moon.

Folks forgave Sweet Sam Murphy, you see; he had put it all in. He was one of the living dead who chain-smoked from a face of a dark storm wind coming to the shore’s edge. Most of the time he wore a greasy, pale blue golf cap on his head. Over wide brown, soft eyes that took in the yellow-green day and sometimes another man’s wife.

Mabel gave him that lullaby stare: Drugs, money or love over on the side of the road? Naw! She wanted something else as she rolled her moon-shaped butt on the black vinyl seats of the truck.

“Baby, what you want?” Sam pleads. “Tell me! But don’t just sit there like a fly on a elephant’s ass.”

“I need another cigarette,” Mabel said, scooting over closer to his ear. “Daddy.”

“Mabel, I just bought you some,” he said. “Darlin’, you got’s to be supportin’ your own habits!” Sam got real cruel. “Dey be cutting your tits off one of these days.”

“Sam, you don’t have to talk like that to me!” Mabel lights up, gives him the pack back. “You a thirty-two-year-old asshole!” She sucks in the smoke. Scoots away from him. “Shit, man! As much as I give you.” She gazes out to the sights of yellow, brown, burned summer alabaster leaves. Butchers in her dreams. “Maybe I’ll just die before they cut dem off! Butcher bastards! Son-of-a-bitches cut my momma up too! I ain’t never going to let them put the knife to my pretty tits!” She grabs, and cuddles them. “Sam, feel these! Feel these!” Rolls her eyes, drags hard on the cigarette. “Goddamn butcher men. . .  that’s all the fuck they are anyways!”

He knew it was the gin talking. She was a sweet screw a sad, kissable, chocolate milk woman from the Sweet Loaf woods. Sorry he put fear in her face. But people he cared about were sacred to him, their lives a part of his life. Secure in his web. Made her think about the knife her mother died under. Tender memories of a wife, a sister, a lover, mother. He noticed pieces of her brownish-black hair fly behind her right ear. Gold earrings flash. The ones he bought her for her birthday. He rubs a thumb across her cheek to take the pain from her lips. He searches for that blueberry-apple smile. He surrenders his love and forgiveness in the silence of a dusty shoo-fly road. A wand over her heart. Summer madness concocted under a hell-fire sun. A bead of sweat drips from her neck. Down her V-neck red dress. When the truck shakes, her breasts jump, jiggle, pow, boom, wow in the dress. He slows down over a dead squirrel. Dry red leaves crack under the tire wheels that take up the space between their lives and the rest of the red clay, chain gang road.

He squeezes up behind a Chevy station wagon. Scares the hell out of a family man with his long-neck wife, two kids and a standard size hound dog. Mabel laughs as the man’s horn curses Sam out.

Sweet Sam became childish, high with his Mabel. He put it all in; speeding sometimes. Crying, laughing and flying. Smoking good dope. Sam was all mixed up with dog shit on a county road: Route 87, to Bailey’s Cross. He sips his brown bag of gin from a paper cup. All he cared about was the fire from a pretty woman in the middle of a lost country road. Starve away the dream nightmares of a war. A wife, a son. He found Mabel after. After a country lost another son…who cares? He was alive. Alive to taste. Feel. Smell the sun, moon, stars from a woman’s panties. He had time to hear the silence in his heart. Play the sax in the night. Kiss up an angel’s tears that fell with the rain.

“We almost there, baby.”

“I know.” She puts his right hand on her left breast. “And they going to stay there too.” She draws closer to him. “I love you.”

“I’m sorry I scared you,” he said. “You know that.”

“Yeah I know.” She teases him. “Watch that pole.”

“I just love you . . . that’s all.” He sticks his golf cap on his right knee. “I can’t stand somebody else dying in my life, ’specially you.”

“You made that clear.”

Earth winds blow from east to west.

Gas and fumes drift in their noses. Sam looked over her eyes of blossoms and lips of red watermelon lipstick? Yes! Yes! He wouldn’t give a fuck if he did die with her. It was better than leaving in some war with dog-tags around your neck at nineteen. He puts more gas on the pedal. Shifts some gears before she gets sick in the cab of the truck. Hell! He knew she had to be tired. He didn’t look at her. He counts to ten over and over. Before the sleeveless, tight red dress almost makes him go right into a three hundred-year-old oak. Pleasant surroundings of her French-blood perfume mixed in with the sun and gin. He got up the nerve to see if she calmed down. Was she still looking for a fight? He throws an arm over her bare shoulders. He takes one eye off the road to keep from hitting the cows. Sneaks a passenger kiss on her cheek. He takes his arm from around her to concentrate on the road, jazz and her rich cream thighs.

Social Media and Buy Links:

https://www.georgeprue57.twitter.com

https://www.goodreads.com/G.FranklinPrue

https://www.facebook.com/G.FranklinPrue

https://www.linkedin.com/G.FranklinPrue

https://www.WritersDigest.com/G.FranklinPrue

 

https://www.createspace.com/G.FranklinPrue

https://www.amazon.com/G.FranklinPrue

BIO

When I was a little boy; I was sent to the library as a punishment. My daddy use to joke with me that I was born in a library. Now I am published author G. Franklin Prue. I was born in Washington, D.C. I am also ex-military Vietnam veteran. I am also teaching in Seattle as a special educational Instructor. I have also worked as a government Consultant for the Defense Department. I travel a lot to the Caribbean, Central & South Americas. I have a BA in Political Science & Masters degree in Education/Administration. My published novels are, A Year of Madness, Mammie Doll and The Man from Sweet Loaf , all by CreateSpace/Amazon.com.

 

This book blast was brought to you by Reach for the Stars Book Marketing.

The Story of Scraps of Paper by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Author Kathryn Meyer Griffith is with us today to share the backstory of her latest release, Scraps of Paper.

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I’ve been writing for over forty-one years and have gone through a lot of frustrating or downright infuriating situations with publishers and editors.  Since 1981 I’ve had eight of them. I’ve suffered 4% royalties, dreadful covers, bad editing and shoddy proof-reading, confusing statements, late royalty payments (or nonexistent ones) and other near-criminal acts committed against me by publishers and editors I’d so naively put my trust into over the years. Now days I like to look back at those occasions, write about them; smile or even laugh over them, though they weren’t so funny when they were happening. This is one of those smiling times…because the conception, writing, publishing and, finally, self-publishing of my murder mystery Scraps of Paper has had such a long vexing journey.

On January 15, 2013 I self-published it as an eBook, for the first time, on Amazon Kindle Direct, after waiting ten long years as it languished beneath a terribly unfair hardback contract with Avalon Books that had a sell-off limit of 3,500 hardcopies. Ten years where they claimed it barely sold (no joke…their asking price was ridiculously high at $26.00) and that it didn’t sell one copy in the last two years of its contract–though the book was on sale everywhere on the Internet. I never received one royalty statement and had to beg in yearly emails to be told how many copies had sold that year. Of course, since the totals never got near the 3,500, , they said, I would get no royalty statements. And I never did. Not one. Ever. Last month my book was finally mine again and I was free of that atrocious contract and now, after a revision and commissioning a new stunning cover from my cover artist Dawne Dominique, I’ve released it into the world without the publisher’s shackles to imprison it. Fly little bird, fly!

Originally I wrote it be the first of a series set in this quaint, quirky little town I tongue-in-cheek called Spookie. I mean, most of my books before were horror novels and I was basically considered a horror writer, so the town’s name was the tip-of-the-hat to my horror roots. It’d be my first venture into that genre, which I’d always loved. Sherlock Holmes. Murder She Wrote. Detective Frost. Miss Marple. I wrote it and then, quickly after, a second in the series All Things Slip Away for Avalon Books. I got a modest advance up front for each one.

It was 2002. I’d come out of a lengthy publishing dry spell. My seventh paperback novel, Zebra’s The Calling, a ghost story with an ancient Egyptian theme, had come out in 1994. Then they dumped a lot of us mid-list horror writers, me included, saying horror was dying; and for eight years I couldn’t sell another book. Well, living my life got in the way during some of that time. I’d lost my long-time good-paying graphic artist job in 1994 and had to find another one. The pay was a lot less. No good for my budget or my standard of living, which really fell. I went from one of five bad jobs to another over the next six years…each worse and lower paying than the one before.  Each more demanding. I needed to make money. No longer could I live with pie-in-the-sky literary dreams. I had to face reality. So I stopped writing for a while.

When I finally came up for breath and my head was back on straight again I decided to write something different…a mystery. I’d always loved mysteries.  I began writing Scraps of Paper. About a woman, an artist named Jenny, whose husband has been missing for two years, and who’s just learned he’s been dead all that time–a victim of a gone-wrong mugging. She begins a new life and moves to a small town full of fog, quirky townspeople and mysteries. And right away she’s drawn into one of her own when she buys, renovates, a fixer-upper house and uncovers hidden in it scraps of paper written by two young children who once lived there with their mother, and who supposedly drove away thirty years before and were never seen again. The town thought they simply went someone else; began a new life. But Jenny suspects they never left the house; suspects they’d been murdered. Then she finds three graves in the back.

Of course, with her history of a missing husband she develops the overpowering urge to find out what happened to them. The scraps of paper she continues to find makes the bond, the desire, stronger. She forms a friendship with an ex-homicide cop, Frank, and together they try to solve the mystery. Only thing is there’s someone still living in the town that just as desperately doesn’t want them to. Someone who’d kill to keep the murderer’s identity secret.

When done I was proud of it. Thought it was good. I sent it to Avalon Books in New York. They loved it and bought it. I signed the contract, though I didn’t like some of the things in it. But I was desperate. I hadn’t had a book published in so long and, as my mom always said, beggars can’t be choosers.  I sold them the second in the series, hoping it’d help sell the first. They got great reviews. But I came to regret signing both those contracts more as every year went by because I never received one penny more for either book for the next ten years. I know, it sounds impossible. But it happened to me. I’m sure it happened to a lot of their authors. Probably one of the reasons Avalon Books sold themselves lock-stock-and-barrel to Amazon Publishing in June of 2012 and, without their authors’ knowledge or permission, including mine, sold away their authors’ contracts from under them as well.  I guess you live and learn. I was just lucky Scraps of Paper’s contract had run out. I took the book back.

But, all that is in the past, and my revised Scraps of Paper-Revised Author’s Edition is now available, on sale for $3.99 (much better than $26.00), at Amazon Kindle here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1W4A2K   And I hope people will have the chance to read it this time around and like it.

***

About Kathryn Meyer Griffith...

Since childhood I’ve always been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. I began writing novels at 21, over forty years ago now, and have had seventeen (ten romantic horror, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance and two murder mysteries) previous novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published from Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Damnation Books/Eternal Press and Amazon Kindle Direct.

I’ve been married to Russell for almost thirty-five years; have a son, James, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Caitlyn, and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois called Columbia, which is right across the JB Bridge from St. Louis, Mo. We have three quirky cats, ghost cat Sasha, live cats Cleo and Sasha (Too), and the five of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.

All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s Books available at Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathryn+Meyer+Griffith

                                                                                    

Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:

Evil Stalks the Night (Leisure, 1984; Damnation Books, 2012)

The Heart of the Rose (Leisure, 1985; Eternal Press Author’s Revised Edition 2010)

Blood Forge (Leisure, 1989; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2012)

Vampire Blood (Zebra, 1991; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2011)

The Last Vampire (Zebra, 1992; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition 2010)

You Tube Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8

Witches (Zebra, 1993; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition 2011)

The Nameless One (short story in 1993 Zebra Anthology Dark Seductions; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2011)

The Calling (Zebra, 1994; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition, 2011)

All Things Slip Away (Avalon Books Murder Mystery, 2006…Amazon Kindle Direct ebook & paperback 2013)

Egyptian Heart (The Wild Rose Press, 2007; Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011) My self-made

You Tube Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogCNYKzPqc

Winter’s Journey (The Wild Rose Press, 2008; Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011)

You Tube Book Trailer address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZYCs2DVhHg

The Ice Bridge (The Wild Rose Press, 2008; Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011)

You Tube Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HZqu-my1g

Don’t Look Back, Agnes novella & bonus short story: In This House (2008; ghostly romantic short story out; Eternal Press 2012) You Tube Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3q9rZryFMo

BEFORE THE END: A Time of Demons (Damnation Books 2010) 

You Tube self-made Book trailer with original song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-U9c2Lwfo

The Woman in Crimson (Eternal Press 2010)

You Tube Book Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRBvDI5G4Y

The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Fiction: Volume 1 (I did the Introduction)

4 Spooky Short Stories (Amazon Kindle 2012)

Telling Tales of Terror (I did the chapter on Putting the Occult into your Fiction)

Dinosaur Lake (from Amazon Kindle Direct 2012)

Human No Longer (Amazon Kindle 2013)

Scraps of Paper –Revised Author’s Edition (Avalon Books Murder Mystery, 2003; Amazon Kindle 2013)

My Websites:

http://www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith (to see all my book trailers with original music by my singer/songwriter brother JS Meyer)

http://www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1019954486

http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith

http://www.goodreads.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith

http://www.jacketflap.com/K.griffith

http://www.shoutlife.com/kathrynmeyergriffith

http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/profile/KathrynMeyerGriffith 

http://www.romancebookjunction.ning.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith

Latest Cover Art by Novel Prevue

As promised, here the latest cover arts designed by Novel Prevue

The Man Who Built the World by Chris Ward

Killing Jenna Crane by Leynett Sofras

Sarah Jane by Suzanne De Board

Update on promotional videos by Novel Prevue

It's been a while since I updated the blog here with the promotional videos I create for author under the umbrella of Novel Prevue. Today I'm doing that. Shortly I will share the book covers I created.

Cinderella Series by Kae Elle Wheeler

Historical/FairyTale

Buy links:

* Book I: The Wronged Princess

• Amazon: http://amzn.to/RyYxub
• Nook: http://bit.ly/WjpVm0
• Smashwords: http://bit.ly/S1UQje

* Book II: The Unlikely Heroine

• Amazon: http://amzn.to/PAqPJ6
• Nook: http://bit.ly/U01kSn
• Smashwords: http://bit.ly/RQsOVX

* Book III: The Surprising Enchantress [Coming soon]

• Coming soon: http://klwheeler.com/id29.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Finding Lily by Lisa D. Ellis

Women's Fiction

*To be released by Soul Mate Publishing in January 2013*

• Author website: http://www.lisadellis.com
• Buy link: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/meet-lisa-d-ellis/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Prescott Series by B. J. McMinn

Western/Historical Romance

• Author website: http://bjmcminn.com
• Amazon buy link
• Barnes & Noble buy link

I hope you enjoyed watching these promotional videos.

Guest Blog: Women of Strength Series by Adelle Laudan

Fellow author, Adelle Laudan, is about to introduce us to her aptly titled series, Women of Strength. Please join me in welcoming her and don't forget to take part in the generous giveaway. 

You're on, Adelle!

A Woman of Strength is one who inspires others to face life's adversities with their heads held high. 

I have launched my series with three previously published stories; Juliana - Rosa - Shani

Today we will look into Rosa's story. Sometimes a Woman of Strength stems from dealing with a difference  she is born with. In the case of Rosa, she was born deaf. Her challenges come in many forms, one being the misconception that being deaf is synonymous with being mentally challenged. I am also deaf, but can interact with the hearing with two super duper hearing aids. Without them, I hear nothing, which is sometimes a blessing. My kids know if they see me reach up and turn off my hearing aids, I've had enough!  lol I have always wanted to tell a story from a deaf person's point of view, in this case, my own.

Blurb: Rosa is deaf. She was adopted by loving parents after her mother died in childbirth. Rosa teaches deaf children music. At her 21st birthday party she crosses paths with the band manager, Devon Barnes. The first encounter is not, pleasant when Devon mistakes her deafness for being rude. Is Devon simply another man who sees her being deaf as also being mentally challenged? Why is she attracted to such a man?  
Here is a short excerpt:

The song ended, and she kissed her father’s cheek before she wandered off down the garden path alone. He didn't remember making a conscious decision to follow her. She stood next to a bush laden with tiny pink roses and held one of the delicate blooms between her slender fingers, drinking in its scent. Her milky white breasts gently rose, and his manhood stirred at such a minuscule gesture.

“Your garden is most exquisite,” Devon heard himself say. Her enticing gestures did not falter as she continued down the path without so much as a hint of recognition. Perhaps she didn't hear me. He moved closer before he spoke again.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight.”

Once again she moved on, not even a glance back in his direction. He should have known the spoiled birthday girl wouldn't give him the time of day. When would he learn? He had half a mind to tell her exactly what he thought of her snobbish airs.

Devon’s temper, laced with far too much whiskey, got the best of him, and he held her arm, firmly spinning her around to face him. He bent down and crushed her delicate lips with his burning desire.

I’ll show her that I’m every bit a man as any of those rich guys back at the party.

The look on her face wasn't what he expected. He thought she might have slapped his face before whirling away. This heavenly vixen did neither of these things. She looked bewildered, her expression one of utter disbelief. Maybe she truly hadn't heard him. That’s not possible, is it?

He reached for her hand to try and explain. She recoiled from his touch as if he were on fire. The first drop of a rain of tears escaped her clouded green eyes before she held up her dress and ran towards the house.

Thank you Su, for having me here on the 3rd day of my Women of Strength Blog Tour. Each month I will add a new story of another Woman of Strength. 

I hope you will enjoy this ongoing series.

Please leave a comment and I will randomly pick one winner to receive  this calendar magnet for 2013 and this lovely steampunk pewter symbol for woman charm. All names will go in a draw to win your choice of one of these three stories.

Please feel free to visit me on the next stop of my blog tour. You will find the schedule HERE

Website

Woman of Strength - Links to purchase as wells as Info on Contest

Blog

Facebook

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Thank you, Adelle for the visit and giveaway. The excerpt is intriguing, I must buy a copy of this book :-)

One Writer's Journey: Su Halfwerk, Tips to Make Writing Easier

One Writer's Journey: Su Halfwerk, Tips to Make Writing Easier: Today's guest is multi-published author Su Halfwerk.  Su is going to share some of her tips to "make writing easier." ....

Please join us today to find out what these formatting tips are.
See you there.
Su

Latest Trailer: Ask No Tomorrows by Rita Hestand

 

Ask No Tomorrows is a sweet historical romance by author Rita Hestand

Book summary:
Book 3 of the Dreamcatcher series.
When Sam Tanner met Riley Morgan he had no idea what he was about to get into. She seemed nothing more than a little misfit that needed protection. But Sam always was a sucker for a hard luck story. What could he do, the girl mesmerized him?

Author website: http://www.ritaphestand.com

Buy links:

• Smashwords (e-book):  www.smashwords.com/books/view/205562
• Amazon (Paperback): www.amazon.com/Tomorrows-Dreamcatcher-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B008M0U7SK/ref=sr_1_21?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1342885622&sr=1-21&keywords=Rita+Hestand+books

Guest post: Read a spooky ghost story & help sponsor a Leader Dog!

          I have a very special guest today; author J.T. Baroni, who's visiting us today with the story behind his book, The Legend of Rachel Petersen. I have purchased the book upon its release because...well...how can I resist such a title and cover! Knowing how J.T. got his inspiration, the book has moved higher on my reading list. Read on to be intrigued :-)

Welcome, J.T.!

 ****

 

            Hello! And a big thanks to Su for having me as a guest on her blog!

            I am pleased to announce that my book, The Legend of Rachel Petersen, has been released through Damnation Books, and I plan on donating a portion of my book’s proceeds to The Leader Dogs for the Blind, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. This organization has been training Leader Dogs and placing them with blind people, free of charge, since 1939, and they have achieved this amazing feat all from donations.

            I know all too well, both their generosity and the impact of their invaluable services. Furthering that statement, I also understand first handedly how strongly the visually impaired faithfully depend, trust, and rely on their dogs, whereas my older brother, Gene, has been blind since birth, and is on his third canine companion. As kids, my brother and I were constantly hand in hand. We went everywhere together. I was, in fact, Gene’s first Leader Dog!

            We don’t get to visit each other as often as we would like since Gene resides three hundred miles away in Philadelphia. However, the times I have visited my brother, I was impressed on how well Gene’s dog guided his blind master through the streets of The City of Brotherly Love. It’s absolutely amazing how smart these animals are. The people in Michigan do a fantastic job in training these Leader Dogs. Valor, Gene’s latest dog, is a beautiful Black Labrador Retriever, and when my brother puts the harness on Valor, that dog knows it is time to work. He even seems to enjoy riding the subway.

            I live in a rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and being the avid outdoorsman that I am, I spend a great deal of time in the woods, mostly within walking distance of my home. Last year, I came upon a lone grave in the woods, which inspired my paranormal tale. From years of weathering, the inscription was barely legible, it read, “Rachel Peterson, 1801 to 1899”. I changed the spelling of the last name and made my ghost character a young girl, which I feel gives the story a more realistic touch, while making the tale that much spookier.

            But what is really ironic, and eerily enough, my story revolves around 39-year-old sports writer Christian Kane, who becomes outraged when The Pittsburgh Post Gazette overlooks him for a well-deserved promotion. Kane quits the Paper and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods, with the headstone having the dates 1851 to 1853, which means the girl died during the Civil War. He is then compelled to pen The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating and horrific story based on the dead twelve-year-old girl laid to rest beneath the weathered tombstone. His book quickly climbs the best seller lists; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous only to have Rachel rise from the grave, seeking revenge on him for slandering her name! Or does she?

The Legend of Rachel Petersen is available both as an e-book at Damnation Books, http://www.damnationbooks.com/people.php?author=135, or in paperback at your favorite online bookstore such as Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Rachel-Petersen-J-T-Baroni/dp/1615725431, or visit my website, www.jtbaroni.com and check out my movie trailer on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVOmw2vH4gg. However, I forewarn any potential readers, I wrote this story with a mature audience in mind; it does contain adult content, and one scene in particular may be disturbing for young readers. Two specific stories majorly influenced my plot structure, The Devil’s Advocate and The Sixth Sense; both of which are my all time favorite movies. Therefore, two unforeseen twists come out of nowhere at the end of the story and smack you upside the head.    

            I would like to graciously thank everyone who helps support my cause; raising a puppy to Leader Dog status is extremely expensive, averaging forty five thousand dollars per sponsored dog.

            In conclusion, thanks again for having me, Su, and I hope everybody enjoys my novel!

Author Bio:

Living in Western Pennsylvania all his life, J. T. Baroni has been an avid Whitetail hunter since he was old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as he’s had a fondness for word games and literature. While hunting last year, Jim actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods. Waiting patiently for any deer to cross his path gave him plenty of time to think about that lone grave’s inhabitant and ponder her story, which he was then driven to write. Eerie enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, his first published novel. Jim has also composed several songs that are currently signed with a music publisher. His home is Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Pittsburgh. Jim and his wife Becky are both proud members of the Lions International. They share their house with their son, Skyler, and two boxers.

Taking over The Dreams of the Damned

Lee Mather has lost his Dreams of the Damned to me and my lunatic crew.
http://leemather.livejournal.com/3325.html#cutid1
Join us, find out how this dark collection of insanity took hold, took form, and finally took over.

 

Guest blogging - Are you a chess player or a chess piece ?

Today, I'm over at fellow Damnation Books author, Yolanda Sfetsos' Otherworldly blog, where I discuss the different parts we play in our lives.
So, are you a chess player or a chess piece?
Come on over, let us know what you think...

http://ysfetsos.blogspot.com/2011/03/guest-blogger-su-halfwerk.html

Fiona Dodwell Interviewed me

Fellow author, and close friend, Fiona Dodwell interviewed me here:
http://fionasfiction.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/interview-with-author-su-halfwerk
Come on over, visit with us, we won't bite...that much.

Why Write About THEM?

As part of Intricate Entanglement's release craze, I'm blogging today over at the Darkscrybe with Greg Chapman, about:
Why Write About Them?

Visit a spell, find out who I'm talking about and why I'm discussing them.

http://darkscrybe.blogspot.com/2011/03/guest-blog-author-su-halfwerk.html

Author Interview - Fiona Dodwell

Today, I'm interviewing a dear friend and fellow Damnation Books author, Fiona Dodwell. I've read The Banishing, and loved every moment of it. Don't miss out on this treat.

• Welcome, Fiona. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm 29 years old and I have been passionate about horror since I was a child. I have studied psychology, drama and theology. I currently work in a psychiatric unit. I am married to my husband Matthew who works for a local charity, and I am an avid animal lover.

• As a child, what did you want to do when you grow up?

A writer. All I wanted to do was write. I remember when I was about twelve years old and the class teacher asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I looked up, eyes wide with excitement and opportunity and announced I wanted to write books. My teacher replied: “Yes, but what real job do you want to do?” That to me wasn't helpful – I needed encouragement, inspiration. Thankfully it didn't deter me from dreaming and I went on to write short stories and poems through my childhood and early teens, winning competitions and learning the craft.

• When and why did you begin writing?

Probably around the age of ten. I wrote my first book called Caged Demon – so you can see, even back then I was a dark minded person! Very heavy for a child's mind.

• What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book, written about four years ago- The Dead Lie – was inspired by my husband. He read through some of my writing - short stories, sample chapters, poems,  and thought I had potential. He knew how much I wanted to write a great book, and he kept encouraging me to throw myself into it. His support has been amazing. 

• What books have influenced your life the most?

Susan Hill's The Woman In Black, Stephen King's Pet Sematary and The Dark Sacrament.

• If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Probably Stephen King; he has mastered the genre that I adore.

• Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Sometimes there is a brick wall. I'm sure most writers will know what I am talking about. Most writers at one time or another will hit a block – and sometimes it's tempting to do something other than your best – or to even stop trying at all. I have learned to drive on, strive, work at it. Even when the going is tough! Writing can sometimes flow with inspiration; other times that well of inspiration can dry and you really need to tap into it with focus and hard work.

• How long does it take you to write a book?

Anything from six months to over a year. I have written three books, none took longer than a year.

• What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I am not somebody who works to a timetable. I work when my heart is in the place. Some days I might write for three hours straight – other days might only produce a single page. I write regularly, but  it isn't something rigid and scheduled.

• What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I guess something I love exploring in my writing is the dark side of the human mind. The lengths some will go to. I don't usually create characters that are perfect – I like to explore flaws, faults, issues. My central characters often take me by surprise.

• What do you like to do when you're not writing?

A lot of reading. Honestly, when I am not reading I am unhappy. I read for hours a day when I can. I also love spending time with my husband and family, and I enjoy leisure time online.

• What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That the words on pages come to life – a life of their own. The amount of times I will find a character do something unexpected, or an event come out of nowhere! It's quite an amazing feeling to see character you create suddenly jump out of the page and take matters into their own hands.

• What do you think makes a good story?

It's hard to answer that. Good writing, interesting characters, unexpected twists. For me, as an avid horror fan, I have to say the darker and creepier and  more disturbing the better the story!

• What genre are you most comfortable writing?

Horror, horror, horror!

• How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

I tend not to stick to set formulas or plans. I like my writing to be raw, unformed, free. I know some writers tend to plan, but I go with instinct. Of course I have a basic outline of a story and the major events in that story, but I let the rest fall onto the page naturally. It's a magic feeling to create something that can surprise even me, when I'm the one writing it.

• What is your favorite horror movie?

I have many favourites... I would have to say The Ring, Case 29, The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby.

• Do you ever come up with anything so wild that you scare yourself, that leaves you wondering where that came from?

There are many scenes in my novel, The Banishing, that I found disturbing to write. I let the story flow in the direction it needed to go – there is no use in writing horror if you are frightened of unveiling those dark elements of life.

• What is your favorite book outside of the horror genre?

The Secret Life of Bee's. That is beautiful. I also love How To Kill A Mockingbird.

• What draws people to horror novels? Why do we, as readers, like to be scared?

I think it's fun to be scared – when we know we're safe. It's that feeling you get on a rollercoaster: we love to be thrown about in the dark, face the unexpected, but to know we'll step off that ride safe and sound. There is something in us, as humans – we are shaped and formed by the dark side as well as the light, and I think by enjoying horror books and films we get to touch that side without burning ourselves, so to speak.

• Why should fans of horror movies read horror books?

Books can do so much more. Your imagination is a powerful tool. It can take you places no actor or special effect can take you.

• What are your current projects?

I am currently submitting my second novel which is being considered for publication, and I am writing a dark, twisted ghost story called The Governess.

• Can you share a little of your current work with us?

My novel The Banishing is a dark story about one woman's struggle to survive – and to save her marriage in the process. It explores elements of demonic possession, spirit  hauntings and the dark side of the human psyche. My central character, Melissa, begins to notice some dark changes overcoming her husband. Is he losing his mind – or is there more to it?

• How did you come up with the title for your book?

The Banishing is a ritual (a fictional one I created!) which involves making a pact with a demon. The title was formed on that basis  - which I describe in my novel.

• Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

This book is about surviving. The line on the cover of my book says “How far would you go to save your marriage?” The Banishing is one woman's answer to that question – and the results are disturbing. I like to think that the reader will follow my central character and feel her pain, her plight. And hopefully understand the lengths she goes to in order to survive. I hope it will inspire women: my character, Melissa, is a fighter, a very strong woman.

• Are there parts of the book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

None at all – and when you read it, you'll be glad!

• What was the hardest part of writing your book?

There are scenes of domestic abuse in the story which were difficult to put down on paper. I had times where I felt like removing certain graphic scenes or certain words. But in the end they stayed: I had to stay faithful to the story. I didn't write anything to glorify abuse – but only what was essential to the story.

• Where can we find you online?

Please check out my website: www.fionasfiction.wordpress.com or the publisher's website:

www.damnationbooks.com

 

Fiona, thank you for stopping by, and good luck with your new release. :-)

About Fiona Dodwell:

Fiona Dodwell lives in Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom. She works in health-care but is fascinated by the paranormal deep enough that she studied it (in her own time) since she was a teenager. She is currently on the staff team at Talk Paranormal – an online paranormal discussion group.

She grew up loving dark fiction, devouring books like Stephen King's Pet Sematary and Susan Hill's The Woman In Black at a young age, and thus began a life-long love of horror.

She began writing poetry and short stories as a child, and entered many writing competitions as a teenager – some resulted in winning entries.

She has written three novels – The Dead Lie, The Obsession, and The Banishing.