Harkness by Author Michael Bigham

In this thrilling debut novel, by Michael Bigham, Sheriff Matt Harkness faces a perilous challenge. He isn’t your typical Western sheriff. Cowboy boots make his arches ache, he’s phobic of horses, he drives an old battered pickup and his faithful companion is a wiener dog named Addison. Set on the Oregon High Desert in 1952, life in the small town of Barnesville has been easy-going for Matthew until a star-crossed teen-age couple disappears. Harkness is the keeper of secrets in his little town and to solve the crime, he must decide which secrets to expose. One secret involves Judge Barnes, the county’s most powerful man. But Harkness has a secret of his own: he’s in love with the Judge’s wife. How much is Harkness willing to risk to catch a murderer?

Excerpt:

Three dozen young men, most of them towheaded, in football pads and cutoffs grunted as they pushed blocking sleds in the late afternoon sun. It must have been ninety-five degrees out, but thank God, not a hundred. It got so unbearable here ‘bout when it cracked a hundred, the snakes and coyotes hid in their holes until the sun went down.

“Pick it up, Rob,” Coach Conroy yelled in a high-pitched voice. “What are you? Some kind of pussy?”

I said my hellos to Conroy, an ugly man wearing a jarhead haircut, a permanent smile, and an Alabama sweatshirt—takes a special man to wear a sweatshirt in this heat. He asked me if I found Joey yet.

“We’re still working on it,” I said. “I understand that he disappeared after practice. Anything unusual happen yesterday? Anything that might relate to the boy’s disappearance?”

“Like what?”

“Like anything.” I felt a bit aggrieved. Smart folks playing dumb made my scalp itch. Good old boy drawl or not, Conroy was no dummy.

“Ordinary practice. Joey did break loose for a sixty-three yarder in scrimmage.” Conroy tooted his whistle twice and, without further prompting, the kids broke into groups for specialized drills. How could a man smile so much?

“Joey especially close with anyone here?” I asked.

“Ronnie, over there.” Conroy pointed at the quarterback, a lanky kid with fire-red hair.

“The Gearhart kid?”

“Good quarterback, nice kid,” Conroy said.

I thought of his old man sitting in my lockup. “Maybe being a drunk asshole skips a generation.”

Conroy looked at me quizzically for a moment. His masculine smell was overwhelming, like he was some great beast king. He opened his arms as if to embrace his team. “We’re going to State this year, mark my words. We’ll win State. Barnestown, State Triple A Champs, 1952.” I didn’t doubt him. He was a firecracker, but I found myself not caring. Ronnie Gearhart sprinted out on an option and tossed a clothesline pass down the field to a waiting receiver who muffed the catch. Linebackers and defensive tackles panted like Chihuahua’s chasing a greyhound.

“We’ll wrap up in half an hour.” Conway was already moving toward his team and seeming to forget me. “Okay, ladies,” he yelled. “Pick it up!”

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Muskrat Press (October 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615721974
• ISBN-13: 978-0615721972

Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Harkness-A-High-Desert-Mystery/dp/0615721974/

Raised in the mill town of Prineville in Central Oregon beneath blue skies and rimrocks, Michael Bigham attended the University of Oregon and during his collegiate summers, fought range fires on the Oregon high desert for the Bureau of Land Management. He worked as a police officer with the Port of Portland and after leaving police work, obtained an MFA degree in Creative Writing from Vermont College. Michael lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and daughter. Harkness is his first novel.

Visit Michael online at http://michaelbigham.com/.

Meet Brandon Ellis, author of The PureLights of Ohm Totem

Brandon Ellis grew up on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon in a little town known as Gladstone, where he graduated high school and moved on to college and has two great loves in his life – writing and sports.

After being declared an All State Baseball and All League Basketball player, he obtained his Therapeutic Massage License and became one of the most successful Sports Massage Therapists and teachers in the City of Portland. He’s now creating imaginative worlds of inspiration and art through his books.

Website: www.thepurelights.com

FB: www.facebook.com/BrandonEllis1212

Twitter: @thepurelights

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xbVDZAzts

Purchase the book on Amazon.

Q: Congratulations on the release of your latest book, The PureLights of Ohm Totem. What was your inspiration for it? 

A: That’s a long story, but I’ll make is short. My inspiration was an image in my mind that turned into an entire book series in a matter of seconds. I saw it all play out in my mind. I know, I know. That probably doesn’t make sense, so here goes my short version of how this book started.

It had been a long 10 hour work day. I’d just gotten home from work, dropped my keys off on the counter, then walked down the hallway toward my room. I was just entering my room, carrying my laptop, when I abruptly stopped. There, in my mind, came a single image—a tree in the darkness with snow all around. However, the snow wasn’t from clouds dropping flakes from above. It was from the tree itself, sprinkling snow from its branches and onto the ground. Then, like a movie, an entire story took place in my mind. I saw characters, action scenes, dialogue, and many other things. I quickly wrote down a synopsis of what I could remember, telling myself I’d get to it as soon as possible. When two years went by and I barely had anything, that’s when I started dreaming of the book. I saw ancient and sacred scrolls, more characters, more scenes, etc. I then wrote and wrote and wrote.

As I wrote, I had the help from a friend, one that didn’t know she was helping me. This friend of mine—a very dear and close friend—had a Near Death Experience (an NDE). That’s when someone dies, goes up a tunnel, meets angels/guides, has a conversation, then comes back down into their body. Well, she had one of the longest and most detailed accounts of an NDE ever recorded. So, with all the years I’ve known and been around her, she planted seeds in my mind full of wisdom and insights—things she learned from her NDE. I, in turn, planted those seeds in the books as well, hoping to give those same words of wisdom to the rest of the world, just as she has done throughout her life.

Q: Tell us something interesting about your protagonist. 

A: The central figure of my book is a 12 year old girl. When she discovers a portal leading into a new world, she also finds that entering that new world changes her life entirely. Not only changing it mentally and emotionally, but physically as well. All Beings who arrive there—to the world of Ohm Totem—change into their spirit animal, which is something birthed in us the moment were born. Her spirit animal is a skylark, which is one of the most beautiful song birds out there. Figuring out how to fly, why she has strange magic that helps defend her and the tribe that adopts her, and why she is able to sing extraordinary things, start happening to her and everyone around her.

Q: How was your creative process like during the writing of this book and how long did it take you to complete it? Did you face any bumps along the way?

A: My creative process was interesting. As you read above, I had many dreams that helped me complete this book. I felt my dreams were prodding me on, telling me that what I was writing wasn’t something silly, but something rather important that the world needs to read. At least, that’s how I interpreted it. I simply wrote down what I saw in my dreams and did my best to make an incredible book out of it. I hope I did a good enough job.

The biggest bump in my way was myself. I didn’t know if what I was writing was something absolutely absurd. From the reviews I’ve read from professional reviewers, my book is far from absurd. In fact, one professional reviewer said it was one of the best books she’d ever read.

Q: How do you keep your narrative exciting throughout the creation of a novel?

A: Action, action, action, coupled with twists and turns. My book starts out a little slow, but by chapter 6, you’re on a fantastic ride in a world of beauty, magic, wisdom, love, and imagination.

Q: Do you experience anxiety before sitting down to write? If yes, how do you handle it?

A: I’ve heard many authors do experience this. I didn’t know I did until I was asked this question in another interview. They way I handle it? I simply write, then the jitters go away.

Q: What is your writing schedule like and how do you balance it with your other work and family time?

A: My writing schedule is “when I can.” It’s usually after the kids go to bed and when my awesome partner does her late night job, answering questions about essential oils. She’s a consultant for DoTerra Essential Oil line. Her name is Lotus Hartley, look her up and get healthy real fast! There’s a plug. Oops!

Q: How do you define success?

A: Doing what you love and in the process, lifting people up with you.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers whose spouses or partners don’t support their dreams of becoming an author?

A: Look at deep withing yourself, because usually a partner is a mirror of you. Are you not supporting him/her in something they love? If so, then watch how things shift when you start supporting them. If that doesn’t work, then simply explain to them about your passion and ask for their support. If they still don’t give it to you, ask them why they don’t support you? Do so in a non-aggressive way. If you do that, then you’ll get a non-aggressive answer. If, still, you don’t find support with your partner, then get the book, “The Four Agreements,” by Don Ruiz. Read it. Absorb it. Use it. If you do, then you’ll learn not to ever take anything personally ever again.

Q: George Orwell once wrote: “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” Do you agree?

A: Geeze! Not a bit. I love George Orwell, though I never knew he said that quote. For him, this was a truth. For me, it’s not. I find writing a great stress reliever and a wonderful experience.

Q:  Anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

A: Yes, I’ll send a free e-book in kindle (mobi), epub, or pdf to the first fifty people who agree to read my book and post a review on Amazon before July 27th, 2013. Just go to www.thepurelights.com, click on CONTACT, and send me an email if you’re interested.

Interview with Jordan Ekeroth, author of ‘The Fulton Incident’

Jordan Ekeroth is a young man with a clear voice, wisdom beyond his years, and always a story to tell. From a young age, you could find him either buried in books or bearing the adventure of his imagination into the great outdoors. He’s met some people and seen some things that have given him a radical desire to impact the world in a positive way. A person of deep faith, his dream in writing is to take people along on the adventure of a lifetime, while simultaneously creating a space for them to learn about themselves and the world around them.

His latest book is the adventure/suspense, The Fulton Incident.

You can visit Jordan Ekeroth’s website at www.jordanekeroth.com.

Would you call yourself a born writer?

I think it’s something that I was born better-equipped for than many are, but it was never a sure thing. It took a lot of determination and the decision to pursue writing over other hobbies and interests.

What was your inspiration for The Fulton Incident?

I was volunteering in Uganda and one afternoon, as I stood on the balcony of the guest house I was staying in, I wondered, what would I do if I went back into my room and discovered that my passport and my things had been stolen? My imagination started racing with intrigue and possibilities, and the plot was born.

What themes do you like to explore in your writing?

I like to bring my characters to a place where they are forced to confront something they would rather avoid. People crave comfort, and none of us like to deal with our own issues. Even people that we describe as confrontational are actually those that are far more interested in other people’s problems than their own.

How long did it take you to complete the novel?

About 10 months.

Are you disciplined? Describe a typical writing day.

I wasn’t writing full-time while working on this project, I just found time whenever I could to continue writing and editing. I didn’t have the luxury of a typical writing day.

What did you find most challenging about writing this book?

I would have thought that sticking with it until it was done would have been the biggest problem, but it was actually resisting the impulse to call it done when it was still in an early phase of editing. I was so excited to have finished my first couple drafts, I just wanted everyone to read them!

What do you love most about being an author?

I’d be lying if I said some of the benefits weren’t egotistical. But before and after anyone ever praises the book, I just love that I was able to create something that I’m proud of.

Did you go with a traditional publisher, small press, or did you self publish? What was the process like and are you happy with your decision?

I self published because I wanted this to be a personal project from start to finish. Amazon made it incredibly easy, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out.

Where can we find you on the web?

www.jordanekeroth.com

www.twitter.com/jordanekeroth

www.gamechurch.com

Book Review: Mysterious Albion, by Paul Leone

The Catholic Church fights the Legions of Hell in Mysterious Albion, Book I in Leone’s Vatican Vampire Hunter series.

American college student Lucy Manning is visiting the London nightclub scene when she loses her best friend to a vampire. Traumatized by her friend’s death as well as by the fact that she herself was almost killed, Lucy flights back to the States.

But soon after, she is visited by two members of the Church — Father Gelasius and Sister Anne — who make her an offer she can’t resist.

Against her family’s wishes, Lucy heads back to London and joins a secret society of vampire hunters. Together with Father Gelasius, Sister Anne, and two other young members like herself, Lucy begins to fight the vampires who haunt the streets of night-time London — of course, not without going through a tough training first.

As more innocent victims disappear, it becomes obvious that the situation is getting worse…for an ancient, powerful vampire has risen from her slumber, and she’ll stop at nothing to shed rivers of blood upon the earth.

Mysterious Albion is an entertaining, thoroughly enjoyable read. I used to be a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and this story, though different in many aspects, has a similar tone that will be relished by fans of the genre.

Lucy is a very real, sympathetic character, and Leone did an excellent job in bringing London and the English countryside to life.

I also especially enjoyed the traditional vampire lore where vampires are depicted as evil monsters and not sexy creatures — quite refreshing!

This is Catholic urban fantasy, so there’s also a lot of religious references. However, I didn’t find these detrimental to the plot.

Witty dialogue isn’t lacking and there’s a fair share of fun battle scenes.

Recommended!

More on the author’s website. Purchase on Amazon and B&N.

Originally published in Blogcritics Magazine.

Book Review: Lakota Honor, by Kat Flannery

Lakota Honor is an exciting read filled with romance, drama, action, and elements of the paranormal.

It’s the late 1800s, and Otakatay is a bounty hunter, a slayer of men and women. Embittered by the past, he’s ruthless and unforgiving. Now his conscience haunts him day and night, and he believes himself to be evil, to be death itself.

Black-haired, blue-eyed beauty Nora Rushton is a healer, a gift that her father considers a curse and tries to keep secret from everyone around them. To protect her from those who would accuse her of witchcraft as they did her mother, he keeps her locked up in the house all day. But Nora feels like a bird in a cage and she wants to be free.

Then one day, in a twist of fate, she meets Otakatay, and she’s instantly mesmerized by his looks and aura of danger, need, and hunger. Though he won’t admit it at first, he’s also taken by Nora’s kind blue eyes – – but he warns her that she better stay away from him if she knows what’s good for her. Also on the scene is Elwood Calhoun, a rich miner who will stop at nothing to possess Nora.

But then, the man who has been paying money to Otakatay to kill people has one last job for him, and this time he has put a price on Nora’s head…

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this historical western romance. Nora is a very sympathetic heroine with a warm heart yet willful, feisty personality. Otakatay is the ultimate tortured soul, a man sunk in darkness and trying to find the light.

At first his past crimes put me off, but the author did a good job in revealing his feelings and showing his deep remorse, which eventually redeem him. It was interesting to watch his character arc evolve and change throughout the story.

There are quite a number of exciting action segments and the sensual scenes are written in good taste. I also enjoyed the ending, which revealed some unexpected story twists.

Recommended for fans of historical and western romances.

Purchase on Amazon US /  Amazon CA / Amazon UK 

Review originally published in Blogcritics. 

Book Review: The Adventures of the Lone Jack Kid, by Joe Corso

Reviewed by Susan Keefe 

 

With the Civil War raging around and death a normal occurrence, knowing whom you can trust can mean the difference between life and death. When a stranger stands beside Charles Longstreet in Lone Jack, Missouri during a gunfight, neither man could possibly realise how the events that day will shape both their futures.

 

The story which follows, is a brilliant Wild West adventure, with a strong storyline, which quickly immerses the reader into what life was like at that time. A time when cowboys and Indians ruled the Wild West, gunslingers and sheriffs are in every town, love is to be taken when it can, lawlessness is at a peak and life is cheap.

 

Even if you are not a Wild West fan already, you will be when you’ve you read this book, which contains many of the names of legend along with a new one the Lone Jack Kid. 

 

Available at Amazon in Paperback here http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Lone-Jack-Kid/dp/1484839005/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369653674&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Adventures+of+the+Lone+Jack+Kid+by+Joe+Corso

 

at Amazon on Kindle here http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Lone-Jack-Kid-ebook/dp/B00CKA6TL2/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369653674&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Adventures+of+the+Lone+Jack+Kid+by+Joe+Corso

and at Barnes & Noble as a Nook Book here http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-adventures-of-the-lone-jack-kid-joe-corso/1115276042?ean=2940044502413

Book Review: The Woodcutter, by Steven Bartholomew

The Woodcutter is a Western  Historical novel that is intriguing and interesting, and will keep the reader wondering what will happen next until the end. 

The novel is set in Virginia in the winter of 1888.  A reporter, Dana Reynolds gets fired from as a reporter in San Francisco and is forced to relocate in Virginia.  It is a very different place from San Francisco.  It is much smaller and the people are very different. The author’s portrayal of the characters that Dana met along the way is fascinating and quite intriguing.  The reader will be transported to the place and setting. 

Dana Reynolds gets a job in Virginia as a reporter.  He has a difficult time finding stories to write about until he gets to know quite a bit about the place and how the US government tries to take care of their Native American population.  Dana tries to avoid controversy while writing stories which will be intriguing to all the readers.  This can be a very hard combination, and one in which facts are balanced with interesting anecdotes. At the same time, while Dana was writing these stories he was trying very hard not to get himself into the same trouble as he did in San Francisco when he lost his job. 

As Dana writes his stories, he meets a man named Wovoka.  He is known as the medicine man.  But as Dana gets to know him, he is so much more. He is also known as the Woodcutter because he is a strong and powerful man. It doesn’t take very long for Dana to develop a hunch that the Indian agent in charge of giving U.S. goods to the Indians is taking a generous cut of both goods and money prior to sending it on to the tribe. The Native Americans also suspect this too.

The reader will see first hand what comprises the life of a writer. It is a lonely endeavour, one that can very quickly be speckled with controversy.  The reader will almost be able to picture Dana sitting all alone in his hotel room, eating, and writing stories that will help readers realize how hard the lives of Native Americans really is. This is a GREAT story idea, but will it get Dana into trouble again?

The story is spell-binding and captivating.  Bartholomew develops some very intriguing characters. The reader begins to understand the ways the characters think and feel.  The reader will feel transported right into the story and cheering on Dana as he tries to make things better for the Paiute Indians.

Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth

This book review initially appeared in Blogcritics.