FROM THE DESK OF
DONA PENZA TATTLE,
ESQ.
AND
ASSOCIATE WRYE
BALDERDASH
Greetings,
“Hot…hot…hot!” exclaimed
Tattle, fanning herself.
“Well, it is the dog days of
summer, some say, woof, woof, but I find summer to be perfect when the birds
are chirping, the fishing rod is hooked, the sun is shining and….” He stared out the window and frowned at the
overgrown lawn. “The lawn mower is
broken.”
“Wasn’t talking about the heat,
but about one of Champagne Book’s hottest authors, RITA BAY. Remember we read FINDING EVE, part of her Lyons’ Tales series?”
“Shapeshifters, right? The one about a feral cat lost in a world of
exotic animal hunters? ”
“That is the one, one among
many other books. She also has an
upcoming erotic mythological CONQUERING
CUPID coming out in December?” Tattle followed Wrye’s gaze and handed him a
flyer for a lawn service.
“Ah, yes, not only is she
prolific, but she promotes her fellow authors as well. And, now that I have no lawn duties, should
we invade…errr, I mean, visit with the dear lady?”
“You are so astute m’partner in
blather. Time for our Love of Literature
Leap!”
The two appeared right next to
Rita Bay as she furiously tapped away at her computer. The author jumped up, a bit startled.
Wrye waved his hands like a
magician and a round, stylish table appeared with chairs and a summery repast of fruit, small cakes, and lemonade in tall iced glasses.
“Ready for your interview and the promised
Host Review of THE TRAVELERS by
KEITH MCCOY?”
Rita doesn’t respond, still
looking startled.
“She forgot,” whispered Tattle
to Wrye.
“I doubt it.” He pulled out a chair for Rita. “I believe she really didn’t expect us to
just appear out of nowhere.”
R: No, I certainly didn’t expect guests
appearing out of nowhere. Like most of my feisty female characters involved in
fight or flight situations, I’m hard-wired to fight. The antique 12-Gauge
shotgun in the corner is way too messy in a confined space which I would have
to clean. My trusty 9mm pistol concealed beneath the desk would leave holes in
my wall which I would have to repair. Then I spy my sharpened letter opener
with the purple crystal handle sitting innocently in my pencil holder. Perfect.
Weapons at the ready, I cautiously greet the two interlopers. “Tattle and Wrye,
I presume. Welcome.”
T/W: Both approved of her welcome, along with her
precautions. They like a gal with
spunk! The two took their seats, after
Rita settled in hers, with Tattle immediately indulging in an iced chocolate
sweet.
T: “So, Rita, tell us how you do it all? I mean, really, like are you an immortal? An insomniac?
A sorceress? Give us the truth,
it’s just between the three of us….”
Then muttered ever so softly.
“And everyone who reads the newsletter.”
W: Wrye looked at Tattle. “Really?
Rita, you don’t have to answer that.
But you do have to let us know if you were a shapeshifter what creature
would you be and why?”
R: “Well, Tattle (and everyone
who reads the newsletter), you were right about sleep. Five hours is my norm;
six, if I’ve worked in the yard which I love to do. As for being a
shapeshifter, Wrye, I like the big cats like the Lyons’ Tales series. Noble,
clean, top of the heap – no mouse or bird, for me.”
W: Excellent choice. Personally, I might choose to be a wolf, but
I know Penza Tattle would adore being anything of a feline nature.
T: “I do so like to alternately roar and
pure.” Dipped a strawberry into melted
chocolate and made strange moaning sounds before asking, “Tell us about your
favorite character that you have created and which Champagne Book can we find
him/her?
R: “Marie, the event planner extraordinaire with
amnesia from Into the Lyons’ Den (the
first story in the Lyons’ Tales series), is a favorite. Life was tough when she
was lost to the Clan as a child. When her promised lifemate Anthony - the
Clan’s leader – finds her years later, he doesn’t know quite how to deal with
the independent twenty-something he’s contracted to plan a wedding at Lyons’
Den.”
W: Handed Tattle a napkin to wipe the chocolate
off her chin. “Rita, please tell us if
you belong to the tribe of weird like….”
Nodded his head toward Tattle.
“Or are you a sensible, logical person like… well…moi, for instance?”
T: Mouthed the words, sensible, logical? Yeah, right.
R: Y’all are
asking me about weird? Wrye, I saw
you spill that chocolate on the carpet and cover it with your foot, then toss
your half-eaten strawberry toward the trashcan – and miss. Really! My Mama
raised me better, that’s why I love to write my risqué, occasionally erotic,
paranormal stories.”
W: Wrye ducked his head shamefully, garbling,
“Sorry.”
T: “Thank you so much for answering some of our
questions, and since we are hosting one of your reviews, please share.”
R: KEITH WAYNE MCCOY owes me big-time on this
one. I thought this was going to be a review about a book I really enjoyed.
I’ve never played hostess to such peculiar guests in my office – and a Southern
girl must always be gracious, regardless. Oh well, suck it up and move on. THE TRAVELERS, McCoy’s debut novel with
Champagne, is a sci/fi tale that begins aboard the Queen Mary …
In 1947, the luxury liner Queen Mary
transmits a routine message which is intercepted by an extraterrestrial
intelligence. A dying alien world uses the beacon to transport a mother and her
two young children to the ship amid flashing electrical lights and a raging
storm. James and Jess Bennett, a GI and his British war bride returning to New
York are astounded by the apparition of a woman with her two children who
gradually assumes corporeal shapes. Jess is drawn to the pathetic woman and
accepts her silent entreaty to take her children. As the woman retreats into
fog and disappears, the Bennett’s return to their cabin with their children.
Despite the biological math being off a bit, the Bennett’s claim the children
as their own and raise them on the family farm.
Flash forward to the present. Guy Turner, a
melancholy black film maker, is tasked with filming a history of the Queen
Mary. While the film will be a boost to his career, his personal life has recently
fallen into shambles. His girlfriend of many years gave him “the ultimatum.”
While he was fine with marriage, the idea of bringing children into the world
was intimidating – so much that he allowed the love of his life to leave.
When Guy interviews James and Jess for his
film, he never imagined he would be drawn into their lives and another
extraterrestrial visit. When the flashing lights and storms appear and
decades-old messages are received signaling another visit, his friend, a
government employee he’d shared the couple’s strange story with, demands that
he become involved in the new visitation.
The Travelers goes beyond fantasy to portray
the life journeys of the characters to the limits of anxiety, despair, grief,
and joy. A great read that not only entertains but challenges the reader to put
him or herself in the shoes of the characters and perhaps examine his/her own
priorities in life.
W: Again, thank you so much for taking the time
to share a part of you and Keith’s writing with us. We are looking forward to reading more of
your work and his.
And just like that they
disappeared.
Readers, it has been a delight to share our
Love of Literature Leap with all of you.
Until next time, keep reading Champagne Books!
Dona
Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash
of
Blather City, Wannachat
Created
and written by
Angelica Hart and Zi
Books by
Angelica Hart and Zi
KILLER
DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~
CHASING
YESTERDAY ~ CHRISTMAS EVE...VIL
Books by
Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
STEEL
EMBRACE
BOOK
NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM
angelicahartandzi.com
