Excerpt 5 from The Gamblers

Here is another excerpt from my new novel THE GAMBLERS

coming to you June 1st – available for preorder now

Blurb:

It is the story of Ben Andrews a shy accountant who becomes obsessed with numbers and luck.

When he wins the Lottery and becomes rich over night his life changes, but not necessarily in the ways he had thought.

Who can he trust, now that he’s rich? How should Ben build his new life?
Still frugal and determined not to waste his money unnecessarily he unexpectedly falls under the spell of a charismatic and seductive Russian poker player, named Mirco. They share a passion for gambling but this fascination remains ambiguous for Ben.

What follows for Ben becomes a gamble with trust, corruption and ‘betting on the right horse’.  

Excerpt:

“Don’t waste any time,” Ben said. “The sooner you pull, the sooner I get to go home,” he stated loudly, although he wasn’t so keen on going home any more.
Mirco looked at him with disappointment. “You have a lot to learn, my friend. This can be a game, too, and a very enjoyable one at that. You mustn’t pick the first girl and be done with it. What would be the fun in that? It’s like Poker, where you don’t know who holds the better cards. Get her to want to win you, see her raising the stakes, and then see who won whom over or who pulls out at the last minute. Like I said, I could have a girl sent to my room any day. This is much more exciting.”
He took Ben by the arm and pulled him into a large drawing room where the beautiful Indian girl had gone. Mirco looked around the room. 
“She’s gone somewhere else,” he said. “And so the game begins.”
Ben shook his head in disapproval. Part of him was intrigued, though. It would be interesting to see how Mirco would be ‘playing’ this. He scanned the room. Could Wendy be in a place like this? Could she be here?
The two men walked from room to room, the kitchen, a music room and finally they went down into the basement, which was dimly lit with neon lights and minimal furnishings, like a Nineties’ dance club. Jazzy lounge music had some people moving to the rhythm. The Indian girl was amongst them, dancing with her eyes closed half of the time.
Mirco got drinks from the bar and spoke at length with the pretty black bar girl. Ben saw from his seat how the Indian girl had briefly noticed the flirtation at the bar, yet, maintained her uncommitted air and kept dancing.
Mirco brought the drinks over to where Ben had been waiting and then led him back upstairs into a sitting room where two men played chess with a set of artfully carved pieces on a polished ivory board. 
“Now there is a game of skill,” he said and nudged Ben. Mirco studied the two players without looking at the board itself, whereas Ben did the opposite. To him, it was clear who would win.
“I bet you my winnings from the casino that the guy on the right will win this,” Mirco whispered in Ben’s ear. “I can sense it.”
“I’d take that bet,” Ben said. The man on the left was maybe four moves away from checkmate, as far as Ben could tell. Everything about that player oozed calm and an analytical mind. “What do you want from me if I lose?” he asked.
“If I win this bet you need to pick a girl here and bring her back to your room,” Mirco said and laughed.
“I’m not doing that,” Ben said indignant. “That’s in infantile dare!”
“What’s infantile is to wait for that stewardess,” Mirco said and nudged him again. “You’re not married to her yet, so don’t be such a boring goody two shoes. I promise, if you ever date her I will never tell what you’ve been up to tonight,” he added in a half-hearted whisper behind the back of his hand.
“I’m not like that,” Ben said, annoyed.
“Well, I thought you were so sure of the bet?” Mirco said with a smirk. “You’ve got nothing to lose, then. Try to be more confident, that’s what gambling is all about.”
Ben pondered for a while. It was true. He only hesitated because Mirco was willing to bet against him. That was undermining his confidence. There really was no way the game could take a turn now. 
“I’ve never been good at ‘pulling’ girls,” Ben said. “It wouldn’t be any different here. I doubt that if I lost the bet I could keep my end of the bargain.”
“Fine,” Mirco said. “As long as you give me your word of honour that you’ll really try, that should do.”
“That I can promise,” Ben said, getting into the playfulness of his friend’s mood at last. “It’d be a miracle if this game turned around, though.”

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

THE GAMBLERS

Ben is an insecure accountant obsessed with statistics, gambling and beating the odds. When he wins sixty-four million in the lottery he finds himself challenged by the possibilities that his new wealth brings.

He soon falls under the influence of charismatic Russian gambler Mirco, whom he meets on a holiday in New York. He also falls in love with a stewardess, Wendy, but now that Ben’s rich he finds it hard to trust anyone. As both relationships become more dubious, Ben needs to make some difficult decisions and figure out who’s really his friend and who’s just in it for the money.

Praise for Fischer’s thriller “THE HEALER” on Amazon:

“Very Unforgettable Read” – “One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre”

– “Touching thriller that raises many profound questions.”

– “Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller”

Praise for “IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION” on Amazon:

“Excellent read. Cracking pace.” – “Christoph Fischer is a skilled and accomplished story teller”

“Fischer does an excellent job in distilling the macro into the micro. This talent could be compared to Kazuo Ishiguro’s gift of ‘writing in the miniature’ ”

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his latest historical novel “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

 

Wendy, a character from my novel THE GAMBLERS

 

Time to continue the introductions to the cast of THE GAMBLERS with Wendy

(The book is already available for pre-order now )

THE GAMBLERS is the story of Ben Andrews a shy accountant who becomes obsessed with numbers and luck.

When he wins the Lottery and becomes rich overnight his life changes, but not necessarily in the ways he had thought. Who can he trust, now that he’s rich? How should Ben build his new life?

 

Wendy is a very attractive stewardess who Ben meets on an airplane. During their conversation over Duty Free sales he treats her with respect and generosity and uses his status as First Class passenger to shield her from her bossy superior.

She seems the stereotype of an overspending and materialistic girlie girl but she turns out to be more steady and conscientious than Ben would have thought.

I always pictured her a bit like Scarlett Johansen, who in many of her roles shows that physical attractiveness doesn’t protect you from getting hurt or being vulnerable. With shy Ben she is forced to take the initiative.

Ben  is a shy guy, not good at reading people but good at maths and statistics.

He is polite and pleasant and at a dinner party you’d probably like to chat with him but longer conversations could turn into a dry and demanding chore. Not without his charms and good sides, Ben is an acquired taste.

Find the book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

Praise for Fischer’s thriller “THE HEALER” on Amazon:

“Very Unforgettable Read” – “One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre”

– “Touching thriller that raises many profound questions.”

– “Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller”

Praise for “IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION” on Amazon:

“Excellent read. Cracking pace.” – “Christoph Fischer is a skilled and accomplished story teller”

“Fischer does an excellent job in distilling the macro into the micro. This talent could be compared to Kazuo Ishiguro’s gift of ‘writing in the miniature’ ”

CHRISTOPH FISCHER

Short Biography:  

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his latest historical novel “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

New Release: “Proximity” by Amber Lea Aston – Excerpt and Interview

Today I have the pleasure to announce a new release by a very talented romance writer and an amazing person:

PROXIMITY
by Amber Lea Aston. 

This post includes an excerpt and an interview with Amber.

Blurb:

Love sometimes hides in plain sight.

Savannah is one of the boys—fun loving, adventurous, a general contractor, and dive master extraordinaire. There isn’t much she takes seriously about herself, or at least that’s the impression she likes to give off. Women often misjudge her based on her looks so she’s gravitated toward a group of men who accept her ‘as is’—her Scuba diving club.

Bill has known Savannah’s wild side for years and has been comfortable playing the role of best friend. As part of the Dallas Divers, he’s shared many adventures with the group from diving the Blue Hole in Belize to exploring the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. When the team heads out to Costa Rica for a series of cave dives, he knows something is off but can’t justify his nerves.

Catastrophe happens shortly after their immersion in the cave. With the entrance blocked from an earthquake and separated from the rest of their team, Savannah and Bill are forced to find another way out while battling aftershocks, rising tides, and an undeniable attraction that they’ve ignored for too long. The question becomes, what’s more dangerous…the earthquake or love?

**The Wanderlust Series consists of stand-alone adventure romance novels. Occasionally, characters from previous novels may make a cameo, but each story truly does stand on its own merits.

Purchase Links:

Barnes and Noble: http://goo.gl/x4qmGC

Amazon: http://myBook.to/Proximity

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-proximity-1795070-153.html

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/539624

About Amber: 

Amber Lea Easton is a multi-published author of both nonfiction and fiction. Smart is sexy, according to Easton, which is why she writes strong female heroines who encounter their fair share of challenges but ultimately persevere. In addition to being an author, Easton is also an editor, speaker, and mother of two exceptional young adults. Find out more about her books by visiting http://www.amberleaeaston.com

Interview 

Q: Can you tell us a little about the Wanderlust Series as a whole?

A: I originally started writing this series for my own entertainment as an author. Anonymity, the first in the series, came about after I had written a serious nonfiction book and needed to cleanse my mind and have some fun. I loosely based it on a trip my late husband and I took to Belize—adventure tended to follow us wherever we went! After that, people who read Anonymity loved the secondary characters, Bill and Savannah. I decided at that point to create a series of adventure oriented romance novels that take place all over the world to share my both my love of travel and my love of human relationships. I hope to transport readers to these places where they can experience the world without ever leaving their homes. It’s my intention to give them a fun read with captivating characters in fascinating places.

Q: What’s the best part of traveling, from your perspective?

A: To me, the best part of traveling is truly immersing myself in the culture of the place I’m visiting. I always start out with a sense of wonder and curiosity—no matter if I’m traveling to the Caribbean or Iowa. I want to leave with a sense of the people who live there and with knowledge of the place I’ve been. What’s the food like? How is it different than where I call home? What makes the people there happy? I always leave on a trip expecting to learn something and am never disappointed.

Q: When thinking of these stories, what comes first? Setting or characters?

A: Characters come first for me. It doesn’t matter if I’m writing romance adventure or romantic suspense, it is always the characters that I envision first. They tell me the story from that point forward.

Q: Do you have any writing habits that get you in the creative mood?

A: Yes, I love to write with music and candles. I get into my zone when I’m at my desk, a particular soundtrack going that suits my mood at the moment, and either candles or incense burning. Oh, and my dogs. I always have at least one nearby.

Q: Speaking of adventure, what’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

A: I swam with sharks—intentionally. I thought they were magnificent creatures and I came away with a deep appreciation of their beauty and grace. There have been many more experiences that some might call adventurous, but I ultimately believe the best is yet to come.

Excerpt

She’d had a bad feeling about this trip before agreeing to go and should have gone with her gut. Instead, here she sat thousands of miles from home with friends who normally elevated her mood rather than sunk it.

She had just opened the door to her private balcony facing the canopy of the jungle when a hammering of knocks fell against the front door. Sighing, she ignored them, needing time to regroup.

Focus on the dive. That’s why you’re here. Look at that monkey staring at you. She squinted at the howler monkey perched in an adjacent tree. Gee, I hope he doesn’t throw shit at me.

“You didn’t lock the door. That’s probably not safe.” Bill stood behind her.

“You’re certainly brining the drama on this trip.” She sipped her Mai Tai and waited while he adjusted his long frame into the chair next to hers. “Emily told me that Lexi had an issue with our lunches and talks. I know you said that you didn’t care what people said—and you know I don’t—but it must be eating you up to leave the group. I’ll quit, if that’s what this is. You stay with them. Pretty soon the other guys will have similar issues with me, I’m sure. You’re all too damn polite to say anything.”

“Savannah—”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“Don’t be a martyr.”

She twisted in her chair to look him in the face. “We’ve been through snake bites, hurricanes, wicked currents, and years of shared secrets. Do. Not. Lie. To. Me.”

He gritted his jaw but didn’t look away. “Fine. I won’t. Yes, I’m leaving the group because of you.”

Well, damn, that hurts.

She felt like he’d slapped her. She’d been holding out hope that her insecurities were getting the best of her. She ripped her gaze from his and stared into her drink, absently poking the pineapple stalk into the alcohol before taking a big bite from it.

“I can’t do this anymore. It’s killing me,” he said.

“What is?” She couldn’t look at him. Sudden tears had blurred her vision.

“Choosing and never being chosen in return.”

“What are you choosing? We’re not playing a game of pick-up basketball. That’s what you sound like—a child who isn’t being picked for the right team.” She rubbed a stray tear with the back of her hand. “What does that mean—choosing and not being chosen?”

“Nothing, Savannah. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Now you’re patronizing me.” Goddamn it, he was pushing her buttons like never before.

“I’d watch that monkey if I were you…he’s eyeballing your drink.”

“I can handle the monkey.” She slid him a gaze that she hoped melted him in place.

“You’re overreacting to my announcement.”

“Announcement? Stewart was right when he said you’re treating us like your employees. What happened between my house and here? What aren’t you telling me? Be straight, don’t give me some bullshit story you’ve obviously made up on the fly. What is killing you? Your word…killing. Me? How? We’re—”

“Stop it, Savannah. You’re making everything worse.” He stood and squeezed her shoulder. “Come back out with the guys. They’re all pissed at me for driving you away. Let’s hit restart on this adventure of ours and have a good night.”

She’d rally because that’s what she did—what she was known for, rallying and never breaking. Even after her fiancé had killed himself, she’d gone on with life and succeeded. She rallied. But right now she didn’t want to laugh this off and be one of the guys. She wanted to drink her Mai Tai, order room service, and spend the rest of her night staring at the jungle surrounding them. Alone.

“Go do that then. I’m not coming.”

“Savannah…this isn’t about hurting you. You and I—”

“—Are such good buddies that you can’t confide in me?” She met his gaze then, eyes devoid of tears, a skill she’d mastered over the years. “We talk every night. I thought we told each other everything, and here you have this resentment toward me—”

“—I don’t resent you at all, couldn’t, that’s not—”

“Then tell me the truth because I know you’re lying.”

He shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and stared at her as if weighing the pros and cons of confession.

“So it’s true? You’re still lying?” She stood then and poked him in the chest with the remainder of the pineapple stalk. “We are dive partners! I trust you with my life and you trust me with yours every damn time we go down. What could you possibly want to hide from me?”

“If I tell you, I’ll lose you.” He clenched his jaw but didn’t break eye contact. “That’s what you do, Savannah. Yes, we know each other really well, which means I know what I can and can’t tell you.”

“What do you mean that’s what I do? Do what? You showed up at my house with Chinese take-out, all smiles and wanting to make plans to go to Denver for Alyssa and Luke’s wedding—then wham you’re suddenly moving to California.” She gestured wide with her hands, more confused than she’d ever been about anything in her life. “Did you get bit by some Costa Rican bug and it’s causing you to lose your fucking mind?”

Without hesitating, he grabbed the back of her head and ground his mouth against hers until they stumbled back against the chair and onto the railing of the balcony. The ferocity of his kiss weakened her knees and shocked her to the core.

She clenched at his shoulders for balance, conscious of leaning precariously against a bamboo railing thirty feet above the ground. Every inch of her trembled at the unexpected passion rolling from his lips and against hers.

But she liked the way he felt against her, enjoyed the way his fists pulled as he wrapped them tightly into her hair, liked the way he ground his mouth against hers until she kissed him back, thrilled at being thrown off balance and needing to cling to his strong shoulders to remain upright.

When she opened her mouth to deepen the kiss, he moaned his appreciation. The sound electrified her blood with a million tiny pinpricks of awareness that pulsated beneath her skin.

As suddenly as he’d kissed her, he let her go.

She sagged against the railing, hands searching for something to hold onto as she watched him walk away. Anger replaced desire in the blink of an eye.

She strode after him and caught him as he was stepping out the front door. “What the hell was that?”

He looked at her, his slow grin adding fuel to the fire burning in her gut. “If I need to tell you, then I guess I didn’t do it right.”

“Bill, I swear to God you’ve lost all sense,” she whispered.

“Maybe it’s the opposite.”

She frowned. “I don’t know what that means.”

“There’s the problem. Right there.” He grabbed her by the shoulders, kicked the door closed and ground his mouth against hers again. Reckless desire communicated itself through the ferocity of his kiss.

She pressed against him, overcome with need and confusion. She matched his passion with her own, no longer thinking about what was right or wrong. Every inch of her skin quivered with awareness.

They fell against the wall, tripped over a low table, and collapsed against the floor in a tangle of limbs. Body heat ignited from the inside out, making the short dress she wore feel constricting even as it rode up her thighs. She writhed against him, peeled his shirt up his back and sunk her fingernails into his skin.

He moved his mouth from hers and trailed kisses down her neck. The weight of him pressing her against the wooden floor combined with the heat of their bodies and the feel of his mouth on her skin while surrounded by wild sounds of the jungle overloaded her senses.

“Savannah, I’ve wanted this for so long,” he muttered against her shoulder.

His voice snapped her back to reality. She dropped her head back against the wood and closed her eyes. The pleasure of the moment conflicting with common sense.

“We can’t do this,” she said with a catch in her voice. “You’re Bill.”

“Glad you know who I am.” He rose up on the palm of his hands and stared into her eyes. “Why not? You’re the only woman I’ve ever thought of as a soul mate—look at how we are together. Friends, confidantes…why not lovers? Why not have it all?”

“Stop it. Soul mate? Where is this coming from?” She wiggled from beneath him and straightened her dress. Breaths came like tortured streaks of air ripping through up her throat. “This is because of your fight with Lexi, isn’t it? She said something about me, about us, and it has you all stirred up. I am not going to risk our friendship for a good fuck.”

“You want me as badly as I want you.” He jumped to his feet.

She couldn’t look at him with his hair a mess from her hands, handsome face dark with desire, and shirt half-up his hard chest without thinking of how good it had felt to have his body on top of hers. Her mind raced for an excuse that wouldn’t damage their relationship.

She needed his friendship more than she needed a lover.

“You’re Bill.”

“We’ve got that covered! Why the hell do you keep saying that? What does my name signify to you? Is it that I’m your lap dog and nothing more? Have I been segregated into some weird place in your life where I am permanently in the friend-zone?”

Words failed her. She faced him and shrugged. The hurt in his eyes stabbed her in her heart.

“Bill, wait,” she said when he opened the door again. She grabbed his arm, not knowing what to say but terrified that a crack had formed in their relationship that would never heal. “I need to understand.”

“If I need to spell it out to you at this point, then maybe I’ve been wrong about us for a very long time.” He met her gaze. “That’s why I need to go. You confuse me. I want a life with a wife and kids and big family barbecues and all of that and I’m starting to think this…friendship we have…is standing in the way of the rest of my life. It’s you, always you in my head when I’m with anyone else.”

“You’re my best friend,” she whispered, fear making her voice quake. “That’s always been enough.”

“That’s what I thought, too.”

“Then what changed? We’re Savannah and Bill, we have fun, we’re each other’s go-to person…Why complicate it? Why can’t you have a wife and kids and everything you want with me as your best friend?”

“Is that what you want? Really?” He leaned close enough where the gold flecks in his hazel eyes were only an eyelash away. “Do you want to watch me marry someone else one day? Because I can honestly stand here and say that the idea of you being some other man’s bride tears my heart out.”

She cringed at the idea of being anyone’s bride. “Why are you doing this? Now? Here? Before a dangerous dive?”

“It came up, that’s all.”

“Like hell it did. You’re my partner and now you threw this—”

“Let it go, Savannah. Pretend I never came to your room.”  He twisted free of her grip and walked onto the suspended bridge.

Talk about a serious mind fuck.

Deciding to let him have his nervous breakdown on his own, she slammed the door closed and stomped toward the bed. Her dive buddies were her safe haven from the nutty men in the world—or at least they had been before Bill decided to go bonkers. She fell back onto the bed and blinked at the thatched ceiling. Absently, she touched her lips that still throbbed from his kiss.

Okay, so maybe she’d fantasized about him now and then. Perhaps she’d been guilty of comparing other men to Bill and finding them lacking. But crossing that line had never been an option for her. Couldn’t be.

Mae West had once said that a man’s kiss was his signature.

Savannah grinned against her fingertips. Now she knew what Ms. West had meant by that and had to agree. Damn, no man’s kiss had ever curled her toes and boiled her blood like that.

Too bad it could never happen again.

Excerpt 4 from The Gamblers

Here is another excerpt from my new novel THE GAMBLERS

coming to you June 1st – available for preorder now

Blurb:

It is the story of Ben Andrews a shy accountant who becomes obsessed with numbers and luck.

When he wins the Lottery and becomes rich over night his life changes, but not necessarily in the ways he had thought.

Who can he trust, now that he’s rich? How should Ben build his new life?
Still frugal and determined not to waste his money unnecessarily he unexpectedly falls under the spell of a charismatic and seductive Russian poker player, named Mirco. They share a passion for gambling but this fascination remains ambiguous for Ben.

What follows for Ben becomes a gamble with trust, corruption and ‘betting on the right horse’.  

Excerpt:

Five minutes later Wendy came running excitedly out of the lift. She was wearing tight jeans and a woolly black top that seemed very expensive and stylish. She looked as if she had just come back from a night out, her hair immaculate, full makeup and her movements slightly impaired by alcohol, if he read her right.
“Mr Andrews,” she greeted him formally but warmly. “I had hoped I would see you in the pub.”
“Call me Ben,” he said. “I had hoped to see you, too. I went to Anoushka’s as you had suggested. A weird place…” 
“I’ve never heard ofthat place,” she said and shook her head. “You must have understoodme wrong. I mentioned Mamoushka, the deli. The pub I went to was The Pitcher and the Piano. Well, never mind now. Let’s go to the hotel bar and make up for lost time,” she suggested dragging him there.
It was only the two of them and another couple in the far corner of the room. There was a drizzle of jazz music but the quiet atmosphere had something of customers who had outstayed their welcome rather than of people conspiring to stay up late and get drunk together. Ben felt very self-conscious and was glad he’d had a few drinks for Dutch courage.
“So funny,” he said. “You wouldn’t believe the night I had.” He told her what Anoushka’s was like and about Mirco. “I only went there because of you.”
“Sounds like you had a good time all the same,” Wendy said. “Those guys probably aren’t as dangerous as you seem to think. TV is making us believe all sorts of things about New York and the mafia and gangs. This is a cool city and I’m sure there is nothing dramatic about any of this. I wish I had been there.” 
“I wish that, too,” Ben said. The shots of tequila that Wendy defiantly ordered from the reluctant bar woman had loosened his tongue further and he asked her lots of questions about her flying life, the destinations she went to and New York. Wendy had a lot of stories to share. Ben was enjoying himself enormously. Mirco and his spell had transformed him and somehow Ben began to believe that maybe, just maybe, it was true what the Russian had said about luck. Maybe Ben did have it on his side tonight. He certainly had done well recently. Was there a lucky star shining upon him of late? He laughed again at the thought.
Wendy was giving him all the right signals, touching his hand and leg in seemingly innocent movements that left him wondering if he could be at all mistaken about her intent. It was uncanny. She was by far the loveliest girl that had ever come on to him – if she really was doing that. She would know from the passenger list on the plane that he had been upgraded into First Class. She had to assume him to be a ‘regular’ guy, his ticket probably paid by a company and so her interest in him couldn’t be that of a gold digger. She didn’t have a reason to be. She didn’t know anything. She couldn’t.
He was still contemplating his next step, wondering whether to ask her out on a date back in London, or kiss her now, when she leaned into him and decided the question for him.
“Do you want to come upstairs?” she whispered in his ear.
“Are you sure you want me to?” he asked, giving his doubts one last opportunity.
“Oh, I am sure,” she said and then she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the elevator.

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

THE GAMBLERS

Ben is an insecure accountant obsessed with statistics, gambling and beating the odds. When he wins sixty-four million in the lottery he finds himself challenged by the possibilities that his new wealth brings.

He soon falls under the influence of charismatic Russian gambler Mirco, whom he meets on a holiday in New York. He also falls in love with a stewardess, Wendy, but now that Ben’s rich he finds it hard to trust anyone. As both relationships become more dubious, Ben needs to make some difficult decisions and figure out who’s really his friend and who’s just in it for the money.

Praise for Fischer’s thriller “THE HEALER” on Amazon:

“Very Unforgettable Read” – “One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre”

– “Touching thriller that raises many profound questions.”

– “Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller”

Praise for “IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION” on Amazon:

“Excellent read. Cracking pace.” – “Christoph Fischer is a skilled and accomplished story teller”

“Fischer does an excellent job in distilling the macro into the micro. This talent could be compared to Kazuo Ishiguro’s gift of ‘writing in the miniature’ ”

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his latest historical novel “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Interview with Author D. Avraham, contributor to charitable anthology “You’re Not Alone”

Today I’m welcoming Author D. Avraham whom I’ve met through our work for “You’re Not Alone”, an anthology in aid of MacMillan Cancer Care.

Twenty-seven writers from around the world, including myself have entered an assortment of short stories for your pleasure, show your support by liking the new page on Facebook and expressing an interest in buying the book.

You’ll find the book on your Amazon for per-order via these links:
http://smarturl.it/YoureNotAloneAnth
http://bookshow.me/B00Y5RCOOE

You’ll find the Facebook page here: 

https://www.facebook.com/yourenotalone2015

And here is the fund, in loving memory of Pamela Mary Winton

https://macmillan.tributefunds.com/pamela-mary-winton

Welcome to my blog. Tell us, how did you come to writing?

The first time I decided to write, I was six or seven.  I wrote and illustrated a children’s book (obviously) called “Zero and the Case of the Missing Vase.”  I still have it.  My Mom saved everything.   I’ve been writing since.

That said, I took a break from trying to sell my stuff for about fifteen years.  After I served in the army, I wrote my first novel, Off Wire.  That was in the age when you wrote on a typewriter, remember those days?  Anyway, I actually travelled to New York and went to every publishing house I could find, but there weren’t any takers.  That was also at the time of the first big publishing crunch, and no one gave me the time of day.  There was no such thing as Indie publishing, only what was called Vanity publishing, and that was way out of my price range.  So, I put the manuscript away.  I kept writing, and sold the occasional short story or poem, but I never really went into it full force, until I wrote Foundation Stone.  That’s when I started relearning about the industry, and started putting more of an effort in to get published.

Did anyone influence you / encourage you to become a writer?

Yes.  I’ve already mentioned my Mom.  She was always a big supporter.  As far as influence, I’ve been influenced by everything I’ve read – good and bad.  I always loved the way stories could effect me,  and there was also a counter-need to express what was effecting me.

When did you decide to write in your chosen genre(s)?

I didn’t.  And still don’t.  The stories and the genre’s choose me

Tell us about the concept behind your books. How did you get the idea?

Well, the Shepherd King Series grew out of stories I would tell my kids.  I would take the Biblical stories about King David, and try and make them accessible to them.  At some point I decided to try and do that on a wider scale.  Other stories come from some “Other Source,” 

You have created great characters. Which one is your favourite?

I love all my characters – even the bad guys.  They all have something redeeming about them.  Right now, my current favourite is Queen, the detective from the Dystopia.  In part, because he’s in my head the most now.  But, he’s this hard boiled cynic that wants to not care, but you know he really does.  Those are the type of characters I like the most.  Uriyah in the Foundation Stone is a lot like him, as is the hooker in “A Special Evening,” the story for the Charity Anthology.

Are you like any of the characters (and how so)?

the characters all have pieces of me, or more accurately they reflect some aspect of who I am, even if I’m not so aware of it.  It’s the same thing with reading other people’s works.  The good stories are the ones where you discover some dimension about yourself that you didn’t know was there.

What is your main reason for writing?

Because I have to. 

What are the best and the worst aspects of writing?

The best is the first writing, the discovery of the story.  Even rewriting and drafting can be exciting and fun.  The worst aspect is the business end.  I have to push myself to do all the marketing and promoting, and selling and social media stuff.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

Balance?  Hahahaha.  Who said I was balanced?

What do you do when you don’t write?

Actually, I’m writing even when I’m not writing.  I even have a notepad by my bed if I get an idea or something.  I have a lot of note pads around the house.  My life is very full.  I home school my kids, so a lot of my time is spent with them.  We have a small farm, nothing special, but it takes some work.    We raise sheep and chickens.    I teach, read, learn.

What makes you laugh? 

Life … Well, I suppose it depends what you mean.  I find the world a little ridiculous sometimes, but as far as laughing from share joy – my kids.  I’m really blessed with a lot of good in my life.

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

Everyone.  You’re all invited.  Seriously,  we actually have a pretty open door policy at my house.  We get a lot of guest.  Once, we even had a guy recovering from a nasty divorce stay with us for a few months.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

It would have to be an original score.

What are you working on now? 

About a dozen things.   I’m just finishing up a Science Fiction short story for an anthology about a physicist that tries to find the parallel universe where the girl said “yes,” and warp that into his reality; trying to finish the sequel to Foundation Stone; I’m finishing up a Fantasy novel called Blight Crossing, and a few companion short stories that fit into that world; trying to sell my satirical novella, All About Me.  I started another Sci-Fi Dystopia where the main character, a eighty-four year old detective  seems to be the last thinking human alive;  oh and about a half a dozen other short stories and dozens of poems.

Who are your editors and how do you quality control your books?

I belong to several critiquing circles that help get the rough stuff up to snuff.

How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?

It’s a lot of work, but then so is trying to get your work published the traditional way.  The best part is  that you know your work will get out there.  The hard part is making sure that it’s edited and polished to a professional quality.

What is your advice to new writers?

Write.  That’s it.  Write – and read, and then write some more.  And then find people that will tear your work apart, so that you can make it better.  Throw out your ego, unless you only wantto show your work to your mom.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I just finished American Gods by Neil Gaiman.  It was a fantastic book.  I read it on Scribd.  I also reread Slaughterhouse Five, and Cat’s Craddle by Kurt Vonnegut.  I haven’t decided what I’m readin next yet.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I love it.  They’re usually right

Bio: 

Avraham writes fiction and poetry, from children stories and adult humor; from spy thrillers to science fiction and fantasy.

He started his writing career as a freelance writer for the Daily News Herald,  The Cleveland Jewish News, and several other local publications.   He was also a weekly columnist for New York’s Jewish Press.

Avraham is the author of the fantasy novel, The Shepherd King Chronicles: Foundation Stone (Beith David Publishing, 2010). The second novel in the series is due out soon.  He is also the author of the spy thriller, Off-Wire (Lulu 2014), and the author/illustrator of the children book, Squared (beith David Publishing 2013).   D. has written numerous short stories and poems.   Some of his work can be found on his blog at davraham.com.

Avraham currently lives with his family in the Hebron Hills of Israel, where, aside from writing, he teaches at the Jerusalem College of Technology, raises sheep and chickens, home schools his own kids, and tries to stay out of trouble. Sometimes he’s successful.

Links:

www.davraham.com

https://www.facebook.com/Author.D.Avraham

https://twitter.com/DAvraham818

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/DAvraham

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00RNY8E04

“At Odds with Destiny” Ten Novels in one bargain box set

This Memorial Day weekend, start something new
Something that everyone here, our entire crew
Wants to put in your hands, in your mind and heart
A story to read, something really smart!

Ten amazing novels in one boxed set

Open it and be swept away to a different time, a different place

 

“This wonderfully diverse collection of novels will certainly please the reader in you. What better way to discover the great new writing styles and popular writing genres of the Indie literary world?”

AT ODDS WITH DESTINY

http://BookShow.me/B00SHYGG7C/

https://read.rifflebooks.com/books/416435

These are the buy links: ★ Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords ★ 

Rise to Power by Uvi Poznansky

Notorious for his contradictions, David is seen by others as a gifted court entertainer or a traitor leading a gang of felons. How does he see himself? Can he control his destiny and strike a balance between ambition and longing for purity?

Double Forté by Aaron Paul Lazar

In the deep cold of winter, threats erupt from the dark woods, spinning events out of hand—and Gus, tormented by the unexplained death of his wife, braces for the fight of his life.

The Luck of the Weissensteiners by Christoph Fischer

In WW2 Eastern Europe, two families—one Jewish, one Catholic—fight for survival amidst deception, fear, distrust and betrayal. In the entangled web of political, religious and familial loyalties, can love endure?

Outview by Brandt Legg

Nate embarks on a breathless quest to save his brother and unravel the mystery of their father’s death. His desperate flight takes a stunning turn when mystics reveal an extraordinary destiny to him.

Among the Shrouded by Amalie Jahn

An ancient prophesy foretells the birth of seven psychics destine to change the world… Among the Shrouded follows Mia, Thomas and Kate, three unsuspecting strangers whose lives intertwine to reveal the significance of their gifts and the greater purpose of their collective lives.

Pam of Babylon by Suzanne Jenkins

After Jack dies, his wife Pam discovers secrets and lies. Is she destined to succumb to vengefulness against his two lovers, or will she find a different way forward?

Broken Angel by S.W. Vaughn

To rescue his kidnapped sister, Gabriel is forced to join a crime syndicate, where he discovers a dark underside to the city that few have ever seen. Yet the game can’t be won by their rules. He’ll have to make his own.

Tempus by Janet Morris

Woe betide the soul who dares too much! Ride with Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons cavalry into myth, legend, and adventure like no other.

Native Lands by P.C. Zick

When their environment is torn apart by a battle for power and control of the last of the Florida frontier, a tribe of native Floridians thought to be extinct rise up to halt the destruction of the natural world they treasure.

Dream Student by James DiBenedetto

Everything was going according to plan, until the night when college junior Sara Barnes started seeing other people’s dreams. Is she the only one witnessing the secrets of a serial killer?

Excerpt 3 from The Gamblers

Here is another excerpt from my new novel THE GAMBLERS

coming to you June 1st – available for preorder now

Blurb:

It is the story of Ben Andrews a shy accountant who becomes obsessed with numbers and luck.

When he wins the Lottery and becomes rich over night his life changes, but not necessarily in the ways he had thought.

Who can he trust, now that he’s rich? How should Ben build his new life?
Still frugal and determined not to waste his money unnecessarily he unexpectedly falls under the spell of a charismatic and seductive Russian poker player, named Mirco. They share a passion for gambling but this fascination remains ambiguous for Ben.

What follows for Ben becomes a gamble with trust, corruption and ‘betting on the right horse’.  

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

Excerpt:

He stopped at a very modern warehouse conversion in the meat-packing district and parked on the road. Finding a spot so easily was yet another token of luck, Ben thought. Mirco rang an unmarked doorbell and got buzzed into the building straight away. He walked with familiarity through a set of doors and around the corner towards a lift. The thing was made of bleak metal and didn’t signal anything like ‘way to a reputable designer or stylist’. Ben started to have doubts about this adventure until the elevator opened directly into a penthouse with massive windows and a French door out to a roof. He walked to the window to admire the stunning view over the river. The air was crisp, the sky clear; one could see for miles. There was something incredibly beautiful about this and empowering. 
“You like?” Mirco said, amused, and laughed at his friend for being so easily impressed. “I keep forgetting you’re a tourist here.”
Ben almost didn’t notice, he was so taken in by the view.
“Bella,” Mirco called out loudly and clicked his fingers. “Your clients are here. Let’s have some champagne, shall we, and an espresso for me, too.”
Ben turned around to have a look at the inside. Standing with his back to the window he saw the elevator and a reception desk beside it. All of the space this side of the elevator was a large walkway with a few seats and a sofa. Behind the reception desk and along the wall were several closed doors.
A stunning, dark-haired woman in a tight black leather dress and high heels came from behind the desk with a tray of filled champagne flutes, obviously prepared for this request.
“Oliver will be out in a second,” she said as she handed Ben and Mirco each a glass. She kissed the Russian on the cheek. “Good to see you. It’s been a while.”
She looked dismissively at Mirco’s suit. It was bland in comparison to what the Russian had worn a day before but it surely didn’t call for such contempt. Ben could tell that it wasn’t cheap. 
“You’ve been cheating on us and been going to the shops,” she said and looked at him with assumed disgust. “Shame on you! Wait what happens when Oliver sees it.”
Mirco pulled a scared face and winked at her.
Seconds later a tall but plump man of about fifty entered the room. He wore heavy-rimmed glasses on a string around his neck, a green plaid jacket and yellow trousers in a similar check design. Balding and wearing a scarf, he looked incredibly camp, but when he spoke he sounded rather butch and serious.
“Is this the guy?” he asked, pointing at Ben.
“Yes, Oliver” Mirco replied. “We need a full new wardrobe and to refine his look.”
“Oh yes,” Oliver said to Mirco as if Ben wasn’t even there. With no introduction or formality Oliver ruffled through Ben’s hair and shook his head. “First, we need to get his hair sorted. Bella, ring Jean and tell her it’s a Mirco-emergency. Tell her to bring her entire team. We’re going the full shebang.”
Then he took out a tape measure. “Eve, bring your notebook,” he ordered and an equally stunning blonde girl in a short leather skirt and a silk blouse came running, ready to take notes.
Oliver took measurements of Ben’s body. Fast, rough and focused on the task, he shouted out numbers to Eve.
“I’ll be one sec,” he said and disappeared into the rooms behind the elevator. When he came back he brought a couple of clothes stands with suits, shirts and coats.
Ben stood there like a lemon, puzzled and uncomfortable.
“Get him a refill,” Mirco said to Bella. “The accountant is starting to feel nervous at the sight of your glamour,” and laughed heartily. He turned to Ben. “Don’t worry, it’s my treat. I want to show you what the good life is like. I know you’re happy with your own boring style, but get a taste of mine and see how much fun it is. You’ll never go back, trust me.”
Ben shook his head but didn’t argue. The pretty girls made the ordeal of modelling rather bearable. As he looked at himself in the mirror from time to time he did like the improvements. It was rather skilled what the team did to him, he had to admit it; money well spent, he reckoned.

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

THE GAMBLERS

Ben is an insecure accountant obsessed with statistics, gambling and beating the odds. When he wins sixty-four million in the lottery he finds himself challenged by the possibilities that his new wealth brings.

He soon falls under the influence of charismatic Russian gambler Mirco, whom he meets on a holiday in New York. He also falls in love with a stewardess, Wendy, but now that Ben’s rich he finds it hard to trust anyone. As both relationships become more dubious, Ben needs to make some difficult decisions and figure out who’s really his friend and who’s just in it for the money.

Praise for Fischer’s thriller “THE HEALER” on Amazon:

“Very Unforgettable Read” – “One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre”

– “Touching thriller that raises many profound questions.”

– “Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller”

Praise for “IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION” on Amazon:

“Excellent read. Cracking pace.” – “Christoph Fischer is a skilled and accomplished story teller”

“Fischer does an excellent job in distilling the macro into the micro. This talent could be compared to Kazuo Ishiguro’s gift of ‘writing in the miniature’ ”

The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

The book on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

The book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his latest historical novel “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

 

Interview with historical novelist Helen Hollick

Today I have the pleasure to introduce a gifted writer and a tireless promoter of indie authors: Helen Hollick.
I found her book “The Sea Witch” a real treat. I picked up the book for its historical content, which is as immaculately researched as I was told. The story, however, is much more entertaining than I had anticipated: adventure, romance, action and some mythical element made this hugely enjoyable.
Set in the early 1700s this is a gripping pirate story for adults with fascinating historical and nautical background details. The characters are well developed, the plot moves along fast and the suspense never lets up. A rich and rewarding read.

Welcome Helen. Tell us, how did you come to writing?

I’ve always been immersed in the world of ‘story’. One of my earliest memories is coming out of the library clutching one of my favourite books. I was four! At the age of nine or ten I discovered pony stories, and desperately wanting a pony, I wrote stories about owning one. It was the next best thing… didn’t everyone do that? At about thirteen I discovered that no, they didn’t.

But then I never have been a very conventional person.

How did you come up with your stories?

They come to me. I became interested in the ‘reality’ of King Arthur (Arthur as a Dark Age Warlord in post-Roman Britain as opposed to the Medieval tales of Knights in Armour) and dissatisfied with the fiction available wrote my own version (The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy.) http://www.helenhollick.net/bookshelf_banner.html

The idea for Harold the King (titled I Am The Chosen King in the US, both are exactly the same book) came to me in a dream. Sorry, I know it sounds clichéd, but it is true – the very detailed dream ended up as Chapter Two. http://www.helenhollick.net/bookshelf_saxon.html

From there A Hollow Crown (titled The Forever Queen in the US – the better version if I am honest) was a natural follow-on. It is the story of Queen Emma of Normandy – who featured in Harold the King. I became fascinated by her and decided she needed her own novel.

And the Sea Witch Voyages, well, my pirate appeared to me on a Dorset Beach, touched his hat and nodded.

‘Hello Jesamiah Acorne’ I said.

For that story click here: (only read this article through first – or don’t forget to come back!) http://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.co.uk/p/how-i-met-jesamiah-acorne.html

You have created great characters. Which one is your favourite?

My (ex) pirate – Captain Jesamiah Acorne. I adore him!

Me, too. Who would you cast to play him in a movie?

I would prefer an unknown actor to play my Jesamiah. Someone who will be mainly known as ‘That’s the guy who played Jesamiah!’

Jesamiah is a blend of Jack Sparrow, Richard Sharpe, Hornblower, Ross Poldark, Indiana Jones and a touch of James Bond  – oh and I would prefer a TV Drama Series not a movie please.

Are you like any of the characters (and how so)?

No. Complete opposite in fact!

Were the plot and subplots completely planned from the start or did they change during the process, and if so, how?

The plots for my ‘serious’ historical fiction were all pre-set in history, the facts forming the skeleton framework. Sea Witch, almost in its entirety came to me while walking on that drizzly-day beach in Dorset. The follow-up Voyages have not been so easy though – I’ve had a good bit of thinking to do! http://www.helenhollick.net/bookshelf_seawitch.html
What is your main reason for writing? 

Escapism. I have only realised that though, since moving from London to Devon in 2013. Now that I have – literally – escaped, the desperation to ‘get away’ has faded. Now I write because I want to know what happens next to my rogue of an ex-pirate.

I‘ve only read one of the books so far. What is the idea behind your series?

Escapism and fun – good old-fashioned enjoyable adventure, with a touch of fantasy and a sexy hero. As with my Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy I wrote Sea Witch because it is the book I wanted to read. Having enjoyed the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie I searched for novels of the same sort of genre – nautical adventure with believable fantasy. There were several for young adults, but nothing with ‘grown up’ content for us older folk. So I gave up and wrote it myself.

What are the best and the worst aspects of writing?

The best is creating a believable world which comes alive, along with its inhabitants as you write. The worst is the hard slog of marketing which comes after publication. It can be fun – but it is hard work.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

Both are an ongoing process. To ‘market’ efficiently you need to maintain a presence on Social Media – probably daily. It is subtle ‘back-door’ marketing: being chatty and friendly, smile all the time, present yourself as an interesting person; all of which, actually, is fun and enjoyable (but time-consuming). I have met and made some super friends via Facebook and Twitter. Social Media is not the place to moan, groan, whinge or wring your hands though – look at it this way, who would you rather talk to at a party? The glum person in the corner with the half empty glass, or the smiley, chatty person in the centre of the room with the glass half full?

As for writing… well the hardest part for that is putting your bum on the chair and turning the internet off! 

What do you do when you don’t write?
*laugh* I think the above question answered that!
Tell us one odd thing about you and one really mundane thing.

One mundane: I love my bed. It is cosy, comfortable and from it I have a beautiful view south to my front garden, and north across the North Devon countryside. I can be in bed at night and look out at the stars.

Odd: I talk to myself a lot. That isn’t the oddity. The odd bit is I answer back. (Sometimes it is the only way to get a sensible response.)

What else would you like us to know about yourself and your books? 

I am passionate about my characters (especially Jesamiah – although I reckon you have already guessed that.) To me, my characters are real people, best friends. They also give me confidence when I need that extra boost. I mean, who is going to argue with me when I have a pirate in full regalia, including cutlass and pistol, standing behind my right shoulder? OK so they cannot see him, but I know he’s there!

Who are your editors and how do you quality control your books?

Quality control for indie writers is essential. It is astounding how many writers spend all that while creating their novel, then self-publish it in less than acceptable presentation. Readers want Cinderella in her finest ball-gown, not her kitchen rags. Send your book to the Ball not the scullery! Editing, from the initial technical one to final proof-read is crucial. Covers, yes I know it is nice to use a close friend or relative who is good at art – but they are not professional designers. Bottom line, if you want to be seen as a professional author be a professional author.

Jo Field is my main editor, but I also use Beta Readers and another set of eyes for a final proof-read. It is amazing how those typos slip through the net!

How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?

Lows – there have been plenty of those! When I started out (having been simultaneously dropped by my agent and publisher) after sobbing for two weeks, at the depth of despair, I went to a self-publishing company which on the surface seemed an answer to my disappointment. Various staff through the few years I was there were lovely. The Owner/Manager turned out to be not far short of a crook, with money being taken but books not being published, royalties never being paid and promises never kept, The company went bankrupt – but thankfully some of those nice members of staff managed to get my files back to me before the bailiffs came in. Having learned lessons the hard way I took my books to a reliable and efficient company, SilverWood Books Ltd. So that bit is the High!

What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favourite thing? 

Best: Meeting such a variety of lovely people world wide 

Least: Worrying about not having enough time to do everything I want to do. Where does a day/week/month/year go?

What is your advice to new writers?

Get on with it.

Who are your favourite authors?

Rosemary Sutcliff, Elizabeth Chadwick.

What is your favourite book?

Frontier Wolf and Mark of the Hose Lord by Rosemary Sutcliff. Sorry, I know that’s two books but they are both No. 1’s for me.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I’m going through the Poldark series on Kindle. Next up is the Game of Thrones series

What makes you laugh?

My two dogs – Baz a Labrador/Collie, and the Collie puppy, Eddie (5 months old at the time of writing this, May 2015) Dogs, when they are content, just love life don’t they? They are always ‘smiling’. I came across a saying not long ago: ‘Be the person your dog thinks you are.’ A good motto I think.

What (not who) would you like to take to a lonely island?

My teddy bear (or am I allowed my two bears?) Cobb and Blee Bear. They are warmer than an electric blanket or hot water bottle – and stay warm all night. They make an excellent pillow for an aching neck. I chat to them, dance with them, give them a shake when I’m cross – and they never, ever, answer back or get grumpy. Indeed they wear a permanent smile! 

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

Winston Churchill. The Queen. Neil Diamond. Mike Oldfield.

Hot or cold?

Hot-ish (a nice warm day, although I don’t mind gentle spring rain!)

Salty or sweet?

Sweet

What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?

I’m as supportive as I can be to new writers – I love helping them ‘make it’. My oddest quality? Maybe I get too over-enthusiastic sometimes, which can lead to misunderstandings?

What would you chose as those qualities?

Well both really – but I must remember to support or advise in moderation and not over-egg the pudding!

What song would you pick to go with your book?

I did an article on my ‘Muse Music’ for Sea Witch… you can read (and listen to) it here: http://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.co.uk/p/muse-music_13.html (I’ve been listening to the tracks as I write this article. I heard Tubular Bells when it first came out – many years ago now. Oldfield writes (and plays) awesome music, although I prefer the instrumental tracks, not the songs.

For the Pirates of the Caribbean … there are several places where you can sing ‘Jesamiah, Jesamiah, Jesamiah…’

How do you handle criticism of your work? 

Constructive criticism is always helpful. I don’t expect 5 star reviews – 4 will do, but it is the senseless 1 stars on Amazon that annoy me. Complaints like ‘I thought this book was badly written because it had a comma in the wrong place’ are just silly. If I don’t like a book I don’t review it – why do these people waste time writing utterly senseless nastiness?

What is next?

I am at the finishing stages of writing the Fifth Sea Witch Voyage – On The Account, and I have recently signed a contract for the entire series to be translated into Italian – although that will not involve much work for me.

The most exciting project, though, I was approached by a UK Mainstream non-fiction historical publisher, Amberley Press, who have commissioned me to write a book about pirates for them. We do not have a title yet, but it will be something like Pirates in Fiction and Fact, the idea being to explore the truth about pirates balanced against the fiction of books and movies. I’m looking forward to this one, it should be fun! Expect it sometime in late 2016.

Short Biog. Helen Hollick 

Helen Hollick lives on a thirteen-acre farm in North Devon, England. Born in North-East London, Helen started writing pony stories as a teenager, moved onto science-fiction and fantasy, and then discovered historical fiction. Published for over twenty years in the UK with her Arthurian Trilogy, and the era of 1066, she was selected for publication by Sourcebooks Inc in the US, and became a USA Today best seller with Forever Queen. She also writes the Sea Witch Voyages, nautical pirate-based fantasy adventures.

As a supporter of Independent Authors she is Managing Editor for the Historical Novel Society Indie Reviews, and inaugurated the HNS Indie Award.

Mirco a character from The Gamblers

Time to continue the introductions to the cast of THE GAMBLERS –

my new thriller to be released June 1st. The book is available for pre-order now 

THE GAMBLERS is the story of Ben Andrews a shy accountant who becomes obsessed with numbers and luck.

When he wins the Lottery and becomes rich overnight his life changes, but not necessarily in the ways he had thought.

Who can he trust, now that he’s rich? How should Ben build his new life?

Mirco is unconventional but not without morals, a bad guy who is also good, and someone who will be your friend for life if you let him. He doesn’t do things halfway and enjoys living life to the full: He wears Armani suits, drives a Porsche, has a personal trainer and access to exclusive clubs.

A breath of fresh air and a whirlwind, he is the life and soul of every party, if you’re prepared to go wherever he will take you and can take a bit of his narcissistic streak. People fall for his charm and persuasion.

He is a joker and a wild card. I picture him a bit like Alexander Skarsgard.

When Ben meets the Russian gambler in New York he gets a first glimpse of the life he could lead, only he doesn’t have the imagination how to do this without his new friend.

Ben finds himself torn between an urge to austerity and the sudden excitement that Mirco’s lifestyle promises.

Ben is a shy guy, not good at reading people but good at maths and statistics. He has a promising academic career ahead of him but decides to ‘sell out’ for a steady income as accountant that will enable him to save money for his gambling schemes.

He is polite and pleasant and at a dinner party you’d probably like to chat with him but longer conversations could turn into a dry and demanding chore. Not without his charms and good sides, Ben is an acquired taste.

 

Find the book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheGamblers

on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25541467-the-gamblers

and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gamblers/1483080171982117

 

Praise for Fischer’s thriller “THE HEALER” on Amazon:

“Very Unforgettable Read” – “One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre”

– “Touching thriller that raises many profound questions.”

– “Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller”

Praise for “IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION” on Amazon:

“Excellent read. Cracking pace.” – “Christoph Fischer is a skilled and accomplished story teller”

“Fischer does an excellent job in distilling the macro into the micro. This talent could be compared to Kazuo Ishiguro’s gift of ‘writing in the miniature’ ”

CHRISTOPH FISCHER

Short Biography:  

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his latest historical novel “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

 

 

New Release: WEAPONS OF MASS DECEPTION by David Bruns and JR Olson

I posted an interview with David earlier today, now I found this great review by a very reliable source: SciFi writer Ceri London

Ceri London's Blog, Science Fiction Author

A military thriller by two US Navy veterans that could be ripped from today’s headlines

AVAILABLE IN PRINT & EBOOK

 Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Patriot Games meets The Fourth Protocol in this riveting story of modern-day nuclear terrorism.

In 2003, the world watched as coalition forces toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, then searched—unsuccessfully—for the weapons of mass destruction they were certain existed.

None were ever found, but they do exist. On the eve of the invasion, a handful of nuclear weapons was smuggled out of Iraq and hidden in the most unlikely of places—Iran.

Now, as the threat of WMDs fades into a late-night punch line, a shadowy Iranian faction waits for the perfect moment to unleash Saddam Hussein’s nuclear legacy on the West.

Brendan McHugh, a Navy SEAL, meets a mysterious Iranian diplomat on a raid in Iraq. His former girlfriend and FBI linguist discovers a link to Iran…

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