"Said the Spider" by Earle E. Van Gilder - Author Interview & Book Review.

I am very pleased to be able to host Earle E. Van Gilder today!! He is the author of "Said the Spider" - a brilliantly written thriller that should make your "must read" list for this year!! I found myself captivated from the beginning and devoured the book within a matter of hours. I couldn't put it down because I HAD to know what happened next. Then ending is memorable (I LOVED IT!!) and the characters and storyline a very realistic. I'm very excited that Mr. Van Gilder is making this a series. He has completed two more books in the series that I MUST get my hands on!
To find out more about the book and where to purchase it, please see below.

Author Interview:

Describe your book in five words or less.
Mystery, intrigue, investigative thriller.

How did the ideas for your books come to you?
Friends had asked me to write and share my life stories.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?
Sitting down and taking time away from so many other things is the discipline I need to improve on in writing. The easiest is dreaming up the characters and story.

What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?
I’ve completed two (2) more book in series with Said The Spider. They are Gumshoe Diary-The Month of May, and Point of Connection. They involved many of the same characters but with new and different adventures.

Why did you choose to write for specific genre?
I didn’t choose a genre or a specific targeted reader. I’ve written about what I know, lived and experienced.

What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?
Knowing that another person wants to read something that I’ve written is a very pleasant experience.

What is your writing space like? Do you have a designated space? What does it look like? On the couch, laptop, desk? Music? Lighting? Typing? Handwriting?
I have my own room called “the bunkhouse” which gives the impression of an individual museum made up of things gathered and achieved over many years of life. My drum set is directly behind me, the walls are covered with plaques, spurs, swords, western pictures, cowboy hats and my paintings. And, oh yes, the computer

How do your juggle a writing schedule with real-life work, or are you a full time writer?
I retired in 1998 from my work as President of the company I founded, Corporate Information LTD, an investigative agency that specialized in white collar and undercover investigations. My freedom to write is much improved and my writing continues as the pace of my life allows it.

What's the best/worst part of being a writer?
The writing is the easy part. The worst part is my anticipation and frustration with this part of the process. I am impatient!

What/who do you draw inspiration from?
My inspiration is my wife.

What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Who was your hero growing up? And my answer would be my Grandmother, for no other reason than she loved me unconditionally. I was always safe with her, and she was then and is now my idol. My newest idol and right up there with Grandma is my wife Annie. How could a guy ask for anything more?


About the Book:

Said the Spider
Author: Earle E. Van Gilder
ISBN: 9781432754334
Genre: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, General
Please visit the Author's Book Page for purchasing information.

Synopsis:

Sophisticated crime syndicate parasites invade the normally solid foundation of Midwestern banking and generations of established manufacturing. Executives and management usually in control suddenly find they are masterfully manipulated into a web of irreconcilable personal and financial seduction.

From the traumatic discovery at the river’s edge to the eventual confrontational conclusion Said The Spider seduces greedy, gullible and unsuspecting prey into a deadly and graphic whirlwind of corporate disaster leading to murder, suicide and revenge.

The early exploits of the juvenile crime spree by a youthful mastermind who cleverly manipulates his prey leads the reader to the ruthless genius manipulating the city. This drama of cause and effect with no escape from the temptations of lust, greed, and ignorance has been cleverly baited.

The corporate investigative agency and police sources enter almost too late to stop this whirlpool of turbulence as the bank Vice President’s realize their own failure and the investors and corporation officers panic and retreat from the coming Armageddon.

As murder, suicide and monumental financial losses are exposed, the crime syndicate learns of an investigation which might interrupt their lucrative operation. Crime bosses will stop at nothing to successfully complete their artistic looting of a major bank and manufacturing complex.

Time is running out. Investigators are pulling pieces of the puzzle together. Corrupt and greedy bank executives are running for their lives. The syndicate is charging ahead in their goal of complete domination and eventual departure culminating in a surprise and conclusive end to fraud and murder.

About Earle E. Van Gilder:

More than 40 years Earle (Doc) Van Gilder was involved in the investigation of white-collar crime. The last 20 years he ran his own Investigative Corporation partnering with major firms, local and state government agencies and law enforcement to solve a wide range of criminal activities from internal theft and white collar crime to insurance fraud, criminal investigations and undercover operations.

Earle is also a certified Kyokushinkai Karate Branch Chief and martial arts instructor and well versed in the handling of weaponry. These experiences combined with his Marine Corp and equestrian experiences have resulted in a number of short stories which in turn led to his first novel, Said The Spider. He recently completed a second novel, Gumshoe Diary, The Month of May.

This book was supplied by Outskirts Press for me to honestly review.

"The Cross and the Psychiatrist" by Terry L. Dorn Tour & Book Review

The Cross and the Psychiatrist
Author: Terry L. Dorn
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432739744
Genre: Nonfiction, Self-Help
For more information on how to purchase a copy in either paperback or e-book, please go here.

About the Book:

A story about a life that fell apart and is mended by faith. When a person experiences a mental breakdown he is treated like he's not even two years old.

Terry Dorn has experienced torture as a child, lived on the streets in Minneapolis, Minnesota at age ten. He Slept in box cars and vacant houses at first. Was hospitalized several times for observation as a teenager. He had to fight to not receive shock treatments at age fifteen.

Terry is a bounce back person and has become a hero to many who have experienced a major psychiatric challenge.





My Thoughts:

"The Cross and the Phychiatrist" is only 83 pages long, but it certainly packs one powerful message! This book follows the life of author Terry Dorn, focusing on his struggle to find and receive help to not just medicate, but recover from his mental illness.

In this book, Mr. Dorn tells how he was treated and how he fought to become treated as a "person" instead of a mental patient. He tells his struggles with the mental health system, people's views of his diagnosis, and even how the church treated him. This book will tug on your heart as he continues with his road to recovery and how it happened.

If you know anyone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, you will know that Mr. Dorn speaks the truth throughout these pages. His prose is honest and to the point and will make you more aware of the struggles that a mental patient deals with.

Make sure to add this book to your must-reads for 2011. It is an amazing story of faith and hope that shouldn't be missed. I highly recommend it!!

About the Author

Terry Dorn left home at the age of ten due to torture and abuse. Many teachers told Terry he could not be a writer because of his education. He has published a book for Washington State Mental Health system and has been the editor of a newspaper. "You must learn to turn your problems into lessons". The real power in this life is (FAITH) and beleiving in ones dreams! Terry's ability to see the good in people has helped many individuals to return to a productive life.

Book was supplied by Outskirts Press for me to honestly review.

"The Target" by Bill Bowen - Author Interview - Book Review

I am very pleased to host Bill Bowen, author of "The Target" today with both an interview and a look at his book. Bill's book was an excellent read that I enjoyed immensely. I jumped at the chance to read this book, as it was written by a Veteran that has a background in intelligence. What better way to give realism to a book than to get it from someone who has experience in the genre he is writing?

The Target is a story about a Veteran who loses his wife in a terrorist bombing and what he does to rectify his loss. At the same time, it also follows the sister of one of those involved in the bombing. It is a moving and powerful story that will appeal to both men and women. The characters are real and the scenario is something that I believe can really happen.

This is a book to put on your must read list as well as an author to watch!

The Target
Author: Bill Bowen
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432734824
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Please visit here to find "The Target" in either paperback or e-book.

Author Interview:

What is your book about?

The story line begins with the explosion of a dirty bomb at Union Station in Chicago and leads to a plot by a group of “average” American to detonate a bomb in the Middle East to demonstrate that the combination of terrorism and nuclear weapons is a threat to all society, not just the West.

More broadly, The Target provides multiple points of view – a jihadist, a moderate Muslim woman, a liberal blogger, military veterans, a Catholic priest – about revenge, the killing of civilians, and terrorism in the nuclear age.

Why did you decide to write it?

During the Cold War we and the Russians had enough warheads to destroy each other; deterrence worked. In today’s world the perspective is one-sided and we are waiting for a bomb in a container in New York. I would like the decision makers in Pakistan, Iran, and elsewhere to recognize that they are also threatened by proliferation of nuclear weapons to other countries and terrorist groups.

Do you have a favourite character? Why is s/he your favourite?

I particularly like Aisha al-Rashid, the moderate sister of one of the Union Station bombers. I have a university professor daughter with a Harvard PhD in Islam who helped me shape the character by living with me in Cairo, introducing me to many of her friends, and guiding my reading. Some of the more interesting discussions at book signings have been about Aisha and the moderate Muslim perspective.

The main characters of your stories - do you find that you put a little of yourself into each of them or do you create them to be completely different from you?

The protagonist, Mike Curran, is quite a bit like me but a greater commonality is the most characters are composites of people that I have known. One of the joys of writing is the ability to think back to old friendships or acquaintences and use those as a basis for interesting, complex characters. Some of my friends died young; many led ordinary but interesting lives; some experienced little glimpses of glory. I knew Karl Luedtke and his roots in Ripon, Wisconsin; I know Barbara Ryken, the liberal blogger; and I particularly knew several of the people who influenced Mike Curran’s development.

When I began writing I had too many characters. One important piece of wisdom from my editor, Ed Robertson, was to combine them. They then contain complexities and contradictions, just like real people.

What types of readers will be interested in your book?

The readers skew toward male between the ages of 35 and 70, particularly veterans. However, many women readers like the characters and their wrestling with moral issues. Those who like nonstop action are less interested than those who like to mix education with entertainment.


What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category?

From a plot perspective, the tables are turned in that average Americans become the terrorists. The Target is also unusual in that it presents multiple perspectives on political and moral issues rather than only that of the traditional hero. Most readers will find the perspective and actions of a moderate Muslim woman to be particularly enlightening.

Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?

I do publish a weekly blog at www.RightinSanFrancisco.com, but The Target is my first novel. I am currently working on a second which also features “average” Americans, a unique twist on a major issue of the day, and multiple perspectives. At least a couple of the characters will carry over.

What are you working on now that you can talk about?

The premise is that a group of Texans decide to exercise the option to seceed which the Lone Star State was given when it joined the Union. The story will present a range of perspectives about the state of politics and an undercurrent of conspiracy for and against. I plan to publish early in 2012.

And now, for a little fun:

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

Food; water; my wife.

What is one book everyone should read?

Other than The Target, the Bible.


If you were a superhero what would your name be?

Obi Wan Kenobi

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Mindreading, but I would have to be able to turn it off.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Pistachio


One food you would never eat?

Monkey brains, an Indiana Jones staple.

Pet Peeves?

People who feel superior.

Thank you, Bill for sharing this with us and for a great book. I look forward to your new book next year.

About Bill Bowen

Bill Bowen holds degrees in foreign affairs from the United States Air Force Academy and Georgetown University. He has served in military intelligence and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs … at the intersection of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the President’s National Security Advisor.

Bowen lives in San Francisco with his wife, Sue, where he enjoys the political theater of local and state government and shares his thoughts at www.RightinSanFrancisco.com.

Book was supplied by Outskirts Press for me to honestly review.

"A Chronicle of Endylmyr" by Charles Hall

When I sit down to read, I want a book to escape and get lost in. I want something that will take me away from a long day and the mundane trivialities of life. That is probably why I love fantasy so much. It can take me to some of the most amazing places created in the mind of the author and shared only with those that dare to open the cover and read. Lately, I haven't found much in the fantasy genre that has excited me - until now.

I'm very excited to be able to introduce you to Charles Hall. Charles has published his first novel, an epic fantasy that is not only very well written, but I would say it is exactly what I've been craving in a fantasy. His prose is brilliant and his storyline is engaging and well developed. I adore his characters, especially Gylfalin, who, to me, is as perfect of a character as Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings. They are well developed and with the multiple points of view, one can become quite intimate with them.

I'm thrilled that I have finally found a fantasy that has left me not only feeling satisfied, but that I read something of quality. I'm very excited about this series and I cannot wait until the next installment is in print!! Mr. Hall is a brilliant author who has made it on my favorite author list.

With that being said, you can imagine how exciting it is to be able to post an interview with him here today. I hope you enjoy reading his interview as much as I did!

A Chronicle Of Endylmyr: The Witches of Endylmyr
Author: Charles Hall
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432750282
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic
To purchase A Chronicle of Endylmyr in paperback or e-book, please click here

Author Interview:

Tell us briefly about your book.

It is a literary epic fantasy involving the attempts of an ambitious and power hungry Eastern despot to seize and control all magical items in the world of the novel. In an attempt to seize a magical falcon he besieges the Western city of Endylmyr, only to be temporarily defeated in the end by three women who use a combination of the magical devices to harness the power of an electrical storm to destroy his armies.


Do you have a favourite character? Why is s/he your favourite?

My favorite character is my protagonist, a retired mercenary, and the most experienced fighter in all of Endylmyr. I think he’s my favorite because I have projected much of my own experience on him.

What inspired you to write this book?

As a former creative writing instructor, one of my sons sent me a story to edit. A character and a magical device in his story caught my imagination. With his permission I used them as the seeds of the novel. His story now forms the prologue, as noted on the cover page.


What message would you like readers to take away from your book?

That love and loyalty can triumph over ambition and greed, and that we must take whatever fate brings and make the best of it, relying on the loyalty of friends and our own skills and strengths to get through.

What/who do you draw inspiration from?

Ancient and contemporary native cultures, Western literature (starting with Homer, through Beowulf, Chaucer, Shakespeare, and J.R.R. Tolkien) my personal experience of having lived and delivered a son at home on the Flathead Indian Reservation, among other things.

Is there anyone who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your writing?

Yes, my now deceased wife, once a student of mine, and our two sons, both college teachers and aspiring writers.

What's the best/worst part of being a writer?

The best part is entertaining readers, the worst is wondering if my work is worthy.

When growing up, did you have a favorite author, book series, or book?

As a young boy I was entranced by the Hardy Boy Mysteries (Franklin W. Dixon), Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn (which I remember reading seven times.)

What about now: who is your favorite author and what is your favorite genre to read?

My favorite author is probably J.R.R. Tolkien, on the basis of his excellent prose and sheer imaginative genius. I like Fantasy, but I read a wide variety of new and old writers, including C.S. Forrester, John LeCarre, John Steinbeck, Ellis Peters, and Robert E. Howard, to name a few.

And now for a little fun...


If you were stranded on a deserted island what 3 things would you want with you?
A library, my girlfriend and a cat.

What is one book everyone should read?
“The Lord of the Rings”

If you were a superhero what would your name be?
The Wizard

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
“To sleep, perchance to dream…”

Write a haiku about your book.
“Of birds and orbs and magic gear,
And archers without fear”

A HUGE thank you to Mr. Hall for allowing me to participate in hosting him.!!!

About the Author

Charles has been fascinated by book reading and writing since a very early age. Because of traumatic experiences in his home and family life, he often found himself lost in mystery and adventure stories. He had such a deep love for language arts that he began his college career as a French major. However, he soon realized where his passions lied and graduated with B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature.

During that time, he also began to experiment with writing poetry. Some of his work was published in small campus magazines, and keeps most of the pieces he wrote stashed away in his bookcase. His love for poetry also led him into a co-editor role with a popular poetry magazine at the University of Wyoming. His love for writing soon had an added benefit as Charles went on to marry the best writer in the advanced composition course he taught there.

Inspired by authors such as James Lee Burke and James Crumley, Charles wrote his first novel, titled Indian Summer. He wrote two other novels, Crude Surgery and Green Reaper, before the pressure of family demands pushed his professional life into another direction.

Other circumstances kept Charles from writing for several years after that. It was not until his son sent him a short fantasy asking for his opinion that his passion arose again. From there, the idea of his most recent literary epic fantasy, A Chronicle of Endylmyr was born and the rest is history...

 Book was supplied through Outskirts Press for me to honestly review.