FROM THE DESK OF

DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.

AND

ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings,

Tattle sweeps into the office dressed as a ghoul.  "Five hundred count sheet!"

"And you put two holes in it?"

"I needed to see, y'know.  Besides, they are just about as old as I am, but they held up well."

"Just like you."

Tattle crinkles up her nose, not knowing if she had been complimented or not.  "Well... errr..."  Decides to let it go, and instead says, "What do ghosts eat for breakfast?  Scream of wheat!"

"Ha-ha, not giving me a chance to answer, eh?"

"Nope.  What do ghosts eat for dinner?" 

"I give."

"Spook-ghetti!  And what is a ghost's favorite dessert?

Wrye does his own iconic eye roll, round and round and off to the right. "Ice scream!  You know I've heard them all when I was about eight."

"Me too, but thought it a good way to introduce our spooktastic review."

"You are strange."

Ignores.  "You may be right, m'literary Love of Literature leaper.  Ready?"

"Let's go!"

"While reading LINDA RETTSTATT's paranormal, woman's contemporary THE SPIRIT we experienced goose bumps, chuckling, speculating, and breath catching in a continuous sequence of enjoyment."

"A grand story indeed.  Jessica Windsor is a prolific romance author and single mom who just got dumped as in kicked to the curb, unloaded, ditched, abandoned, deserted, plain ole forsaken, and not once but twice, her son's father took a hike as well." Offers a woebegone expression.  "Poor lass."

"Life isn't fair, and unfortunately, the dumping has produced that most dreaded of all afflictions ... for a writer that is... writers block!  Da da da daaaaa!"  Tattle offers a two-step to prove her point.

"And she has a deadline to finish a book, she can't seem to write.  Her agent is dogging her like an old hound gnawing on a bone."  Wrye picks up Bodie's doggie rag and pretends to chew.  "In desperation, she leaves her teenage son at her parent's farm for the summer, to milk cows, her son's words, and rents a cabin in the hills of Pennsylvania."

Flings her ghostly attire aside and with dramatic flair booms, "A haunted cabin!  Da da da daaaa!" 

"Enough with the sound effects."

Tattle pouts but continues.  "Haunted by Andrew McCabe, a famous mystery writer that the world thinks just disappeared.  However, Andrew had been murdered and now wants the truth to be known, his lost love Laura to be found, and the murderer brought to justice.  Since Jessica is the very first person who has been able to see him, in a not quite solid sort of way, he wants her to be his hands, ears, and spy to bring it all to light."

"Meanwhile, there is Ben, a hunky, yummy artist and handyman with his own bear-load of troubles, not the least of being an ex-con.  Jessica is the first woman he had been attracted to since his unjust incarceration and his wife's desertion.  Simultaneously, Jessica finds her broken heart being tugged and wrenched by the kind, caring man."

"But...."  About to implement another sound effect, she restrains herself.  "Jessica, having struck a bargain with Andrew to uncover all, has been asking one too many questions about his disappearance, putting herself in all sorts of danger."

"Da da da daaaaa!" Wrye exclaims.

"Hey!"

"Is for horses, but this book is a wild ride that keeps pages turning and anticipation churning.  You never know if you are in for a laugh or a bump in the night, and not all the bumps are the ghostly kind.  The characters interact well, and keep you cheering them onward to their resolutions.  Ben and Jessica have that meant-to-be aura, but there is also that fear they may be doomed or star-crossed."

"Secondary characters are three dimensional and you find yourself either liking them immensely or hating them totally.  All are well-drawn and real.  Then there is Andrew, the very charismatic specter with a tragic love-lost back story that has one bemoaning his demise."  Tattle pulls out a hanky and dabs at her eyes.

"Linda has created her own romantic mystery genre with this story.  It has just the right mixture of romantic tension, mystery, and humor.  Everything in life was ignored until I read the last page, and then I was off looking for more books by the author."

"Her style is fast paced and clean.  It is a book to be enjoyed and savored.  Would love to see more like this."

"Thumbs up, Linda!  Keep them coming."

Readers, it has been a delight to share our Love of Literature Leap with all of you.  Until next time, keep reading!

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

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Books by Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane

STEEL EMBRACE

BOOK NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM

http://www.carnalpassions.com/

angelicahartandzi.com

Michael W. Davis, Featured Interview

For Mike Davis, retirement was the perfect opportunity to follow his passion – becoming an author.     

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photo by David Hungate

 

Since 18 years of age, Mike Davis knew he wanted to be a writer. But it wasn’t until retirement that he began to fulfill his dream.

 

“With crises at work or emergencies at home, I just never got the time,” he says.

Davis worked various jobs in the intelligence sector before officially retiring five years ago. He remained active – hunting, taking care of his farm and lake home and babysitting his granddaughter – but also wanted to try his hand at the passion he had been putting off. The journey to where he is now certainly had its share of ups and downs.

“The success rate (for getting published) is very slim,” he says. “I gave myself two years; 22 months in, I finally got ‘the call.’”

His first book, “Tainted Heroes” was published in 2007, receiving great reviews. And his second, “Forgotten Children,” earned second place for Best Romantic Thriller of 2008 from Predators & Editors. Now, Davis has 20 books under his belt, ranging in genres from political thrillers and sci-fi to mystery and romantic suspense, and has won numerous awards for his work.

If he’s sitting at home, he’s most likely writing. His favorite spot to write?

“My man cave while listening to new age or light jazz music,” he says.Davis’ storylines most often come to him in dreams. Others stem from things he sees or hears on the news. For him, understanding the human condition is key to being a good writer.

“I think you have to have life under your belt and to have seen things like pain, suffering, sorrow,” he says.

To start a book, he doesn’t begin with creating characters. Instead, he comes up with a theme, then molds the characters around that idea. Thanks to his career, Davis has a knack for patterns and connecting dots, which he is able to do in his books.

If he could only write one genre for the rest of his life, Davis says he would choose romantic suspense. This may sound strange coming from a man, he says, but he’s a sucker for the bond between a man and woman, and isn’t afraid to share his feelings.

“I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to write,” he says. “I’m not one that makes $8 million a year on my books; it’s become clear that I write for the writing, not the money.”

He enjoys reading reviews and meeting fans as well.“I put a lot of heart and soul into my stories, so it’s nice to see people excited about reading my books,” he says.

Davis says that after a while, he goes back and reads his own books. Why?

“The characters, they aren’t just creations in my head; they become my friends,” he says. “And that’s my way to go back and revisit my friends.”For more information on Davis’ books and where to purchase them, visit davisstories.com.

Read more: http://theroanoker.com/retire-va/people/the-write-time/#ixzz3Bbg39Zju

Review from LASR

A Torrid Tango by Jude Johnson

August 12, 2014 by completedreviews Leave a Comment

A Torrid Tango by Jude JohnsonSave the Last Dance 3
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (60 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

For two lovers, simply getting to a ballroom competition mimics a Spartan obstacle course.

Maggie Pearce and John Harrison are finally free to become a couple–except for the ocean between their homes and the careers that seem to conspire to keep them apart. Maggie’s first ballroom competition in Las Vegas seems the perfect place to rendezvous, but an arrogant dance instructor and a lascivious producer create obstacles at every turn.

Maggie and John just want some time alone.

I definitely feel sorry for Maggie and John. They are trying hard to make their long distance relationship work, but nothing ever seems to go according to plan for the couple. I won’t spill the details, but they can’t even have something as simple as a phone conversation without some sort of mishap. Many of the obstacles Maggie and John overcome on their way to their happy ending are certainly entertaining and had me laughing often.

Maggie and John are likable characters, but I must admit it was a little hard for me to gauge the chemistry between them because they don’t actually spend much time together in this short romance. Most of the plot is about them trying to reach each other. After I read this story, I learned that there are two other previous short stories that feature these characters. I believe reading those stories will help readers better understand Maggie and John and their situation.

There is never a dull moment in Maggie and John’s world. All of the plot complications surrounding Maggie and John’s quest to be together are resolved in quick, yet satisfying ways. I was a little surprised at how things turned out at the ballroom competition. To say it was chaotic is a massive understatement. However, Maggie and Johns reunion is very passionate and certainly well deserved.

I enjoyed reading A Torrid Tango. It is a fun, fast paced story that can easily be enjoyed in one sitting. Readers who enjoy over-the-top plot complications and romantic endings should certainly give A Torrid Tango a try.

Review from LASR

The Travelers by Keith Wayne McCoy

August 13, 2014 by completedreviews Leave a Comment

The Travelers by Keith Wayne McCoy
Publisher: Burst Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Short Story (138 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Two time lines. One mystery. Sometimes the most intense journeys are not geographical.

In 1947, the Queen Mary transmits a message which is intercepted by extraterrestrial intelligence. This errant radio signal serves as a beacon for a North Atlantic encounter between James and Jess Bennett, a GI and his war bride, and an otherworldly, desperate mother and her two small children.

In the present day, Guy Turner, a melancholy, black filmmaker, finds himself at the center of a supernatural mystery after a haunting prelude with the now elderly mother in a corridor aboard the retired liner in Long Beach, California. Standing at the edge of eternity, the old woman and the Bennetts have the complex task of setting certain aspects of the past in order as the doors to their lives are closing.

Guy is thrust into an unexpected and unwanted voyage of self-discovery as he is solely enjoined to bring the three together one last time.

Many things are dulled by the passage of time. Love isn’t one of them.

The character development in this tale was strong, especially when it came to Guy’s personality and backstory. He has a complicated and sometimes contradictory set of motives that made me wish there will one day be at least one sequel dedicated to his personal evolution. Guy felt so real to me that I scrolled back up to the beginning to make sure this was a work of fiction. It was just that hard to believe that he wasn’t based on an actual human being.

The cast of characters is a little larger than I would have expected for something length. Had it been a little longer I don’t think I would have ever noticed this, but so many important people are introduced in the first chapter or two that I had a little trouble remembering who was who at first. This is a minor criticism, though, and as soon as I sorted everyone out I was quickly lured back into the enthralling plot.

Mr. McCoy wrote such detailed descriptions that I felt as though I was experiencing everything alongside the characters. From a sun-baked alien world to a retired transport ship, every single scene was so compelling that I ended up reading this story in one sitting. This was my first introduction to his work. Based on how impressed I was by his writing ability, I’m eagerly anticipating his next project.

The Travelers is an excellent choice for anyone who loves time travel in their science fiction. Be prepared to read it more than once though. I know I will!

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

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Books by Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane

STEEL EMBRACE

BOOK NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM

http://www.carnalpassions.com/

angelicahartandzi.com

FROM THE DESK OF

DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.

AND

ASSOCIATE WRYE BALDERDASH

Greetings,

Wrye arrived in the office waving two American flags and wearing a red, white and blue top hat, matching cane and handkerchief puffed out of his t-shirt pocket.  “What did one flag say to the other flag?”  He didn’t wait for a response.  “Nothing. It just waved!”

“Funny, ha-ha,” Tattle returned, adjusting the patriotic star dangling from the curtain rod.  “Did you hear the one about the Liberty Bell?”

“Yup, it cracked me up!”

“No fair, that was my punch line.”

He did a little tap dance, ignoring her pout.  “What dance was very popular in 1776?  Indepen-dance!”

“You’re a hoot.”  She did the perfect eye roll as a disclaimer.  “Enough with the jokes, we’re off on a new Love of Literature Leap.”

“After you,” he said, stepping aside in a gentlemanly way to allow Tattle to jump first. 

“Oh me, oh my, oh my gosh!” Tattle smacked her palms against her cheeks as she surveyed her surroundings.  Her lips, at first, formed the perfect O, and then changed into a grin.  “Now, it is a celebration.”

“Yup, we are celebrating the sci-fi book AN ALIEN’S GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION by LIZ FOUNTAIN.  You can’t go wrong with a heroine whose dog is from Mars.” 

Tip-toeing through the pages with a chuckle here and there at some of the humorous lines, Tattle agreed.  “However, m’partner in snooping, you digress.  We start off with a young brother and sister, one of them witnessed an horrific event, and then they were tossed off an overcrowded world in a pod.  You see, the rulers of the world decided orphans and the elderly should be sent to another planet.”

“Not so nice rulers.”  Wrye settled into a chapter.  “And this one particular set of children are sent away with their “Aunt” and “Uncle” who really aren’t their relatives.   Unfortunately, they land in a blast and are thrown to separate areas of the country.”

Tattle sniffled.  “The brother continually looks for his sister into adulthood, but simply can’t find her.  And now,” she did a short tap dance and added, “Ta Da!  We get to Louise Armstrong Holliday and her alien dog, a blind mini-Schnauzer, Buddy.”

Wrye interjected while juggling his hat, handkerchief, and cane.  “She discovers her boss is an alien, the color of lime jelly, zipped up in a human cover-up, and is bent on turning the human race into….  Well, we’ll let that be a surprise.  However, Louie, short for Louise, decides she should save the human race.  With manipulative skills she was unaware she possessed and a desire to be the heroine yet not quite certain why, she sets off for Eastern Europe.”

“There, with her friend, Jack, who at times she isn’t certain is her friend or in league with the enemy, she unravels the plot while facing various attacks from books, bat-crow thingies with sharp teeth, and other various monstrosities, including human ones.  Buddy remains at home with Aunt Emma, but is still pivotal to the story.”  Tattle entered the story to pet the dog for a bit.  The dog didn’t notice.

“And that is all we are going to tell you.”

“Except, that Liz Fountain’s AN ALIEN’S GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION is a refreshing twist on sci-fi.  Humor tuned to the beat of a different accordion player, catches you off guard and you find yourself chuckling at mundane incidences that reflects everyday normalcy gone berserk.”

Wrye bobbed his head up and down in agreement.  “The characters are likeable, even the villains are those you love to hate.  You keep telling yourself you’re going to bookmark and go to bed at the end of the next chapter, but find yourself reading away.  It just draws you in and doesn’t want to spit you out.”

Tattle looked at Wrye, nose wrinkled at his choice of words.  “Overall, if you are prepared to take a trip down sci-fi lane on a lopsided roller coaster with a laugh here and there, you will certainly enjoy this book.  If we were the sort to give a rating, which we don’t, it would be five blind alien dogs.”

“To sum up, it is one fun read!”

 

Happy summer and to those in the States, Happy Fourth of July!

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

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Books by Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane

STEEL EMBRACE

BOOK NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM

http://www.carnalpassions.com/

angelicahartandzi.com

Michael Davis

August - Mike is the subject of the August issue of Roanoker's magazine (Virginia)

September 13  - Join Mike on Saturday from 10-5 for a book signing with two other authors at the Salem Virginia Festival that gets over 10K visitors in one day with 400 booths.  http://www.oldesalemdays.org/