Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Author Guest Post: Bill Walker, Author of Titanic 2012

In association with Partners in Crime Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Bill Walker, author of Titanic 2012!




Five Things You Didn't Know about Bill Walker ...


I talk to myself when I'm alone. It helps me brainstorm ideas, so it's a useful toll with regard to writing. However, the habit stems from my childhood. I was a shy boy and it was a way to keep myself company and pass the time when I was alone. Fortunately, in this day of cell phones, I no longer look crazy when someone sees me carrying on a conversation in my car. 

I like singing the blues. As much as I love playing rock and roll on my guitar, my voice is more suited to the old style crooning or something bluesy. One of my vocal idols is Al Jolson. This was a guy who was naturally gifted, but nevertheless trained his voice singing in theatres in the days before there was any amplification. I don't have that kind of range, but I can get down low where the money is, as Bing Crosby used to say.

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I had very long hair. With the beard I also sported, people thought I looked like Duane Allman. Now, I wish I had some of it back.

I went to my first rock concert the day before my 13th birthday on August 2, 1969 (I know, I'm dating myself). My parents took me to the legendary Fillmore East in New York City where we saw Santana (only two weeks before their classic performance at Woodstock), Canned Heat, also of Woodstock fame, and Three Dog Night. It was a night I've never forgotten.

When I was about six years old, I visited my grandparents in Detroit. One afternoon my grandfather took me to the railroad yard where he used to work many years before. There are all kinds of trains in the yard and he convinced one of his buddies to let me drive one of the engines and hook up a couple of cars. It was a great experience for a boy who was totally into trains at the time. 


About The Author:

A graduate of Emerson College's prestigious film school, Bill wrote and directed his first feature film, Pawn, while still a student. After graduation, he co-founded Newbury Filmworks, Inc., an award-winning production company renowned for making high-quality corporate films and commercials.

In 1990, Bill relocated to Los Angeles, and began a freelance story analysis career for various studios and independent production companies, while devoting his spare time to the writing of novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is also a highly-respected graphic designer, specializing in book and dust cover jacket design. He has worked on books by such luminaries as: Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. In addition, Bill is a member of the Authors Guild.

Ha has won awards for his screenwriting, his two short story collections for Mid-Graders, Five-Minute Frights and Five-Minute Chillers, are perennial Halloween favorites, and his first novel, Titanic 2012 was enthusiastically received by readers. His second novel, Camp Stalag was released in 2001. Bill lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Debbie, and their sons, Jeffrey and Brian.





BUY THE BOOK: Titanic 2012


Bill Walker's Interview About Titanic 2012 On Blog Talk Radio



Book Description: Titanic 2012


Best-selling mystery novelist Trevor Hughes has no idea that attending his twentieth reunion at Harvard will forever change his life.

Persuaded to go by his on-again-off-again girlfriend, D. Julia Magnusson, he meets up with three old friends: Solly Rubens, a self-made Wall Street millionaire; Ken Faust, a successful software entrepreneur; and Harlan Astor, New York real estate tycoon and the glue that holds their circle together.

That afternoon, over drinks at the Harvard Club, Harlan drops his bombshell: He is doing what James Cameron did not - he is rebuilding the Titanic, and sailing the ship on the hundredth anniversary to honor those who died, including his great-grandfather, John Jacob Astor IV. Only Trevor is intrigued by Harlan's audacity. Touched by his friend's interest and concern, Harlan invites him on the maiden voyage to serve as the official chronicler. 

On April 10, 2012, Trevor journeys to Southampton and, along with the hundreds of handpicked passengers, boards the Titanic. He is awed by the immensity of the ship and the feelings that well up in him. His friend has made his grand dream a reality.

During the journey, armed with his iPod Touch and a miniature wireless camera hidden in his glasses, Trevor interviews both passengers and crew, eager to learn the reasons why they chose to sail on the reborn ship.

Nearly every one of them claims to have been profoundly affected by Cameron's film, wanting to recapture the magic for themselves. And some of them are dying - their last wish to be on the maiden voyage of the new Titanic.

Trevor is touched that his friend has allowed these people to come aboard, and is unprepared when he meets Madeleine Regehr, a beautiful, free-spirited woman who resists his entreaties to be interviewed, intriguing Trevor all the more. Slowly, and inexorably, Maddy draws him out of his shell, allowing him to love deeply and completely, for the very first time in his life.

But Trevor soon discovers a darker purpose for the voyage, a purpose that threatens to destroy him and the woman he loves. In a race against time that pits friend against friend, Trevor must stop the unstoppable or risk a horrific replay of history ...


Book Excerpt: Titanic 2012 - Chapter 1


Chapter One
The furor in the media had just died down when Solly’s call came that rainy midweek day. I’d been hiding from the wolves of the fourth estate for nearly three weeks, holed up in my book-filled condo/prison in Charlestown, unable even to slip outside for a breath of fresh air without some cookie-cutter reporter, with a paint-by-numbers smile, sticking a microphone in my face and asking me the same tired question: "What was it like?"
As if the whole of my experience could be quantified in a sound bite.
Truth was I was avoiding everyone, even Julia and her earnest attempts to help me sort through the miasma of doubt and pain.
Sweet Julia.
We’ve been on-and-off again for the last five years. And I hadn’t seen her for the better part of a year. I guess she thought now was as good a time as any to mend fences. Christ, if she only knew....
And what was worse, the book I’d promised my publisher, the one that was supposed to chronicle all I’d been through, lay like a beached whale on the shore of my imagination. I was standing at the bay window overlooking the harbor, watching the rain sluice down the glass, wondering if I would ever have the courage to write again, when my gaze shifted to the pile of DVDs lying in a scattered heap on the teakwood coffee table.
My eyes filled with tears yet again.
"I’m so sorry, Maddy," I groaned, knocking my forehead against the cool glass. "I’m so goddamned sorry."
"You have a call," the computer intoned in a quiet contralto, making me wince. Even the goddamned computer’s voice reminded me of Madeleine.
"Who is it?" I asked, expecting to hear it was yet another call from the Globe. Hometown reporters were the worst, the most ravenous.
And then I remembered I’d instructed the computer to screen all calls, allowing access to only a select few.
"The caller has an Identity Block in place. Shall I take a message?"
I sighed.
To hell with it. I had to rejoin the human race at some point, even if I felt as if I no longer belonged in it.
"Put it through," I said, making my way over to the sleek MacBook Pro sitting atop my writing desk. The screen came to life and Solly Rubens’ round face filled the screen. His saturnine looks were etched with concern, an expression that somehow looked ominous on him.
"Hey, Hughes, you okay? How are you holding up?"
The tiny "picture-in-picture" in the upper left-hand corner of the screen showed me what Solly was seeing, rendering his question moot.
I looked as if I’d taken the cook’s tour of Hell: blue eyes - red-rimmed and puffy--surrounded by dark circles, sandy hair greasy and disheveled, three-day growth of a patchy red-flecked beard, and the same clothes I’d worn since Monday. I looked sixty-two, instead of forty-two. All in all, I presented a picture about as far as one could get from what Boston magazine had called: "The World’s Most Eligible Author."
"How the hell do you think I’m holding up?" I said, staring back at Solly. His eyes blinked rapidly and I debated whether or not to instruct the MAC to disconnect, when he spoke again.
"Aw, man, I’m sorry. I really put my foot in it, didn’t I?" he said, trying to appear contrite. "Listen, I know we’ve never been the best of pals, but we had some good times back in school, didn’t we? I mean, Christ, we’ve been through a hell of a lot since Harvard. You a hotshot writer. Me hittin’ the big time. I still can’t believe it’s been a year--"
"What do you want, Solly?"
His porcine eyes darted somewhere off-screen, then riveted onto mine.
"Ken and I thought you should get out of the house, maybe meet us at the Harvard Club. What do you say?"
"I don’t want to talk about it."
"You gotta talk about it sometime," he said, his Brooklyn tenor rising in pitch. "You’ve been avoiding us for weeks, you look like crap, and everybody--and I mean everybody’s--been trying to find out what the hell happened out there. And what about Julia? You shutting her out? You treatin’ her like dirt, too?"
I resented him bringing her name up, only because I knew he was using her as leverage, and not out of any real concern for her feelings.
Not that I was any better. "She’s none of your business, Solly. Leave her out of this."
"All right, I’m sorry. But you know I’m right. You gotta get on with your life, for Christ’s sake. If you’re not gonna do it for yourself, do it for Harlan."
I leaned forward, my nose practically touching the screen. "Where were you when Harlan needed the three of us? Huh? Where the hell were you when the chips were down? Taking Karen to another Broadway show?"
Solly’s lips compressed into a thin angry line. "Okay, I deserved that. But Ken and I have a right to know what happened."
So, that was it. Like everyone else, they wanted to know the truth about Harlan’s death--wanted to know all the gory details. Christ, they were no better than the goddamned muckrakers slinking around my front door. And why was it so important to Ken and Solly, anyway?
Would it bring Harlan back? Would it bring any of them back? Why the hell couldn’t they just leave me alone?
And then, all at once, the anger passed, as if someone had thrown a switch inside me. Suddenly, I wanted very badly to tell someone--anyone. And perhaps it was more than fitting to do it where it all began.
"All right," I said. "I’ll meet you guys at the club, Friday night at six."
Solly cracked a grin, revealing crooked yellow teeth. "It’ll do you good, Hughes, you’ll see."
"Maybe.... But drinks and dinner are on you."
He chuckled.
"My pleasure. See you there."
The screen went dark, and I sat there for a long moment, wondering if I shouldn’t blow them off. And then I realized Harlan would want me to go. I doubted very much, however, once they heard the whole story, it would be any pleasure for any of us....





Titanic 2012 by Bill Walker


Titanic 2012 by Bill Walker
Published By: Cemetery Dance Publications (eBook)
                      Bill Walker Designs (POD - Print On Demand)
Release Date: eBook - January 11, 2012
                      Paperback - January 31, 2012
                      Hardcover - November 15, 1998
Format: Hardcover - 232 pages / Paperback - 288 pages / Kindle - 584 KB / Nook - 454 KB
ISBN: 0615592392
ASIN: B006WQ6Q36
Genre: Mystery / Romance / Fiction


About The Author:






A graduate of Emerson College's prestigious film school, Bill wrote and directed his first feature film, Pawn, while still a student. After graduation, he co-founded Newbury Filmworks, Inc., an award-winning production company renowned for making high-quality corporate films and commercials.

In 1990, Bill relocated to Los Angeles, and began a freelance story analysis career for various studios and independent production companies, while devoting his spare time to the writing of novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is also a highly-respected graphic designer, specializing in book and dust cover jacket design. He has worked on books by such luminaries as: Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. In addition, Bill is a member of the Authors Guild.

Ha has won awards for his screenwriting, his two short story collections for Mid-Graders, Five-Minute Frights and Five-Minute Chillers, are perennial Halloween favorites, and his first novel, Titanic 2012 was enthusiastically received by readers. His second novel, Camp Stalag was released in 2001. Bill lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Debbie, and their sons, Jeffrey and Brian.




BUY THE BOOK: Titanic 2012




Disclaimer: I received a paperback edition of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in the Partners In Crime Tours virtual book tour event.


Virtual Book Tour Event: On Monday, April 30, 2012, in association with Partners In Crime Tours, author Bill Walker participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews. http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/author-guest-post-bill-walker-author-of.html


Book Description:

Best-selling mystery novelist Trevor Hughes has no idea that attending his twentieth reunion at Harvard will forever change his life.

Persuaded to go by his on-again-off-again girlfriend, D. Julia Magnusson, he meets up with three old friends: Solly Rubens, a self-made Wall Street millionaire; Ken Faust, a successful software entrepreneur; and Harlan Astor, New York real estate tycoon and the glue that holds their circle together.

That afternoon, over drinks at the Harvard Club, Harlan drops his bombshell: He is doing what James Cameron did not - he is rebuilding the Titanic, and sailing the ship on the hundredth anniversary to honor those who died, including his great-grandfather, John Jacob Astor IV. Only Trevor is intrigued by Harlan's audacity. Touched by his friend's interest and concern, Harlan invites him on the maiden voyage to serve as the official chronicler. 

On April 10, 2012, Trevor journeys to Southampton and, along with the hundreds of handpicked passengers, boards the Titanic. He is awed by the immensity of the ship and the feelings that well up in him. His friend has made his grand dream a reality.

During the journey, armed with his iPod Touch and a miniature wireless camera hidden in his glasses, Trevor interviews both passengers and crew, eager to learn the reasons why they chose to sail on the reborn ship.

Nearly every one of them claims to have been profoundly affected by Cameron's film, wanting to recapture the magic for themselves. And some of them are dying - their last wish to be on the maiden voyage of the new Titanic.

Trevor is touched that his friend has allowed these people to come aboard, and is unprepared when he meets Madeleine Regehr, a beautiful, free-spirited woman who resists his entreaties to be interviewed, intriguing Trevor all the more. Slowly, and inexorably, Maddy draws him out of his shell, allowing him to love deeply and completely, for the very first time in his life.

But Trevor soon discovers a darker purpose for the voyage, a purpose that threatens to destroy him and the woman he loves. In a race against time that pits friend against friend, Trevor must stop the unstoppable or risk a horrific replay of history ...


Book Excerpt: Chapter 1

                     
Chapter One
The furor in the media had just died down when Solly’s call came that rainy midweek day. I’d been hiding from the wolves of the fourth estate for nearly three weeks, holed up in my book-filled condo/prison in Charlestown, unable even to slip outside for a breath of fresh air without some cookie-cutter reporter, with a paint-by-numbers smile, sticking a microphone in my face and asking me the same tired question: "What was it like?"
As if the whole of my experience could be quantified in a sound bite.
Truth was I was avoiding everyone, even Julia and her earnest attempts to help me sort through the miasma of doubt and pain.
Sweet Julia.
We’ve been on-and-off again for the last five years. And I hadn’t seen her for the better part of a year. I guess she thought now was as good a time as any to mend fences. Christ, if she only knew....
And what was worse, the book I’d promised my publisher, the one that was supposed to chronicle all I’d been through, lay like a beached whale on the shore of my imagination. I was standing at the bay window overlooking the harbor, watching the rain sluice down the glass, wondering if I would ever have the courage to write again, when my gaze shifted to the pile of DVDs lying in a scattered heap on the teakwood coffee table.
My eyes filled with tears yet again.
"I’m so sorry, Maddy," I groaned, knocking my forehead against the cool glass. "I’m so goddamned sorry."
"You have a call," the computer intoned in a quiet contralto, making me wince. Even the goddamned computer’s voice reminded me of Madeleine.
"Who is it?" I asked, expecting to hear it was yet another call from the Globe. Hometown reporters were the worst, the most ravenous.
And then I remembered I’d instructed the computer to screen all calls, allowing access to only a select few.
"The caller has an Identity Block in place. Shall I take a message?"
I sighed.
To hell with it. I had to rejoin the human race at some point, even if I felt as if I no longer belonged in it.
"Put it through," I said, making my way over to the sleek MacBook Pro sitting atop my writing desk. The screen came to life and Solly Rubens’ round face filled the screen. His saturnine looks were etched with concern, an expression that somehow looked ominous on him.
"Hey, Hughes, you okay? How are you holding up?"
The tiny "picture-in-picture" in the upper left-hand corner of the screen showed me what Solly was seeing, rendering his question moot.
I looked as if I’d taken the cook’s tour of Hell: blue eyes-red-rimmed and puffy--surrounded by dark circles, sandy hair greasy and disheveled, three-day growth of a patchy red-flecked beard, and the same clothes I’d worn since Monday. I looked sixty-two, instead of forty-two. All in all, I presented a picture about as far as one could get from what Boston magazine had called: "The World’s Most Eligible Author."
"How the hell do you think I’m holding up?" I said, staring back at Solly. His eyes blinked rapidly and I debated whether or not to instruct the MAC to disconnect, when he spoke again.
"Aw, man, I’m sorry. I really put my foot in it, didn’t I?" he said, trying to appear contrite. "Listen, I know we’ve never been the best of pals, but we had some good times back in school, didn’t we? I mean, Christ, we’ve been through a hell of a lot since Harvard. You a hotshot writer. Me hittin’ the big time. I still can’t believe it’s been a year--"
"What do you want, Solly?"
His porcine eyes darted somewhere off-screen, then riveted onto mine.
"Ken and I thought you should get out of the house, maybe meet us at the Harvard Club. What do you say?"
"I don’t want to talk about it."
"You gotta talk about it sometime," he said, his Brooklyn tenor rising in pitch. "You’ve been avoiding us for weeks, you look like crap, and everybody--and I mean everybody’s--been trying to find out what the hell happened out there. And what about Julia? You shutting her out? You treatin’ her like dirt, too?"
I resented him bringing her name up, only because I knew he was using her as leverage, and not out of any real concern for her feelings.
Not that I was any better.
"She’s none of your business, Solly. Leave her out of this."
"All right, I’m sorry. But you know I’m right. You gotta get on with your life, for Christ’s sake. If you’re not gonna do it for yourself, do it for Harlan."
I leaned forward, my nose practically touching the screen. "Where were you when Harlan needed the three of us? Huh? Where the hell were you when the chips were down? Taking Karen to another Broadway show?"
Solly’s lips compressed into a thin angry line. "Okay, I deserved that. But Ken and I have a right to know what happened."
So, that was it. Like everyone else, they wanted to know the truth about Harlan’s death--wanted to know all the gory details. Christ, they were no better than the goddamned muckrakers slinking around my front door. And why was it so important to Ken and Solly, anyway?
Would it bring Harlan back? Would it bring any of them back? Why the hell couldn’t they just leave me alone?
And then, all at once, the anger passed, as if someone had thrown a switch inside me. Suddenly, I wanted very badly to tell someone--anyone. And perhaps it was more than fitting to do it where it all began.
"All right," I said. "I’ll meet you guys at the club, Friday night at six."
Solly cracked a grin, revealing crooked yellow teeth. "It’ll do you good, Hughes, you’ll see."
"Maybe.... But drinks and dinner are on you."
He chuckled.
"My pleasure. See you there."
The screen went dark, and I sat there for a long moment, wondering if I shouldn’t blow them off. And then I realized Harlan would want me to go. I doubted very much, however, once they heard the whole story, it would be any pleasure for any of us....


My Book Review:


Why would someone want to revisit the tragedy of the sinking of the RMS Titanic by rebuilding the ship and recreating the maiden voyage on the centennial anniversary of it's sinking? Come aboard the new Titanic and journey along with the specially selected passengers on this historical maiden voyage, as they pay homage to the original passengers that lost their lives ... or are they really trying to create their own historical voyage?

Titanic 2012 is a hauntingly beautiful novel filled with so many exquisite details, it is simply stunning. The storyline is masterfully written, it is told in a timeline alternating between the present time (May 2012) and the days of the voyage (April 10-14, 2012). The story of the new Titanic's voyage is told by the main character, Trevor Hughes, as requested by his long time pal, Harlan Astor, whose great-grandfather, John Jacob Astor IV perished with 1500 other passengers on that fateful voyage 100 years ago. The characters are strong and complex, their larger than life personalities and individual stories give the story more depth, and make it that much more powerful and compelling. The attention to detail and description is first rate, the author weaves a fascinating tale that transports the reader back to 1912 with the recreation of the ship's intricate details, the time period fashions and mannerisms, and the recreation of the maiden voyage; while at the same time bringing the reader back to the present time. The reader can't help but become engrossed with Harlan Astor's vision and dream come true, particularly how he selected the passengers that would accompany him on the maiden voyage of the reborn "ship of dreams."

This is an incredible suspense/romantic story that has many layers to it, the reader is taken along on the journey with the Titanic's passengers, and with every twist and turn, you will be able to peel back the layers to arrive at the real reason for the historical voyage. The author pays homage to James Cameron and the movie Titanic through many references of the movie throughout the book. There is a common thread that ties this movie to the passengers that embarked on the 2012 voyage, it was intriguing to read how the author intertwined the movie within his character's individual stories. From the very beginning I was captivated by this story, and by the end I was left emotionally spent but very satisfied. Be prepared to ride the emotional roller coaster, and have plenty of tissues nearby! There are so many details to the story that I would love to share, but it would be considered spoilers, and this story is just too good to spoil it for anyone, trust me when I say read this novel, you won't be disappointed.

Titanic 2012 is a novel that does a wonderful job of commemorating the tragic centennial sinking of the Titanic. I could easily see this novel becoming a movie, I would definitely go see it on the big screen. Titanic fans, this hauntingly profound yet beautiful novel is a must read and should be on your TBR list!


RATING: 5 STARS *****











Friday, April 27, 2012

Virtual Book Tour Events: Week of 4/29-5/5/12



Virtual Book Tour Events: Week of 4/29-5/5/12



In association with Partners In Crime Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:


Titanic 2012 by Bill Walker


Monday, April 30, 2012 ~ Author Guest Post and Book Review

Book Description: Titanic 2012


Best-selling mystery novelist Trevor Hughes has no idea that attending his twentieth reunion at Harvard will forever change his life.

Persuaded to go by his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Dr. Julia Magnusson, he meets up with three old friends: Solly Rubens, a self-made Wall Street millionaire; Ken Faust, a successful software entrepreneur; and Harlan Astor, New York real estate tycoon and the glue that holds their circle together.

That afternoon, over drinks at the Harvard Club, Harlan drops his bombshell: He is doing what James Cameron did not - he is rebuilding the Titanic, and sailing the ship on the hundredth anniversary to honor those who died including his great-grandfather, John Jacob Astor IV. Only Trevor is intrigued by Harlan's audacity. Touched  by his friend's interest and concern, Harlan invites him on the maiden voyage to serve as the official chronicler.

On April 10, 2012, Trevor journeys to Southampton and, along with the hundreds of handpicked passengers, boards the Titanic. He is awed by the immensity of the ship and the feelings that well up in him. His friend has made his grand dream a reality.

During the journey, armed with his iPod Touch and a miniature wireless camera hidden in his glasses, Trevor interviews both passengers and crew, eager to learn the reasons why they chose to sail on the reborn ship.

Nearly everyone of them claims to have been profoundly affected by Cameron's film, wanting to recapture the magic for themselves. And some of them are dying - their last wish to be on the maiden voyage of the new Titanic.

Trevor is touched that his friend has allowed these people to come aboard, and is unprepared when he meets Madeleine Regehr, a beautiful, free-spirited woman who resists his entreaties to be interviewed, intriguing Trevor all the more. Slowly, and inexorably, Maddy draws him out of his shell, allowing him to love deeply and completely, for the very first time in his life.

But Trevor soon discovers a darker purpose for the voyage, a purpose that threatens to destroy him and the the woman he loves. In a race against time that pits friend against friend, Trevor must stop the unstoppable or risk a horrific replay of history ...






In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:


Unconquered by J.D. Davis



Tuesday, May 1, 2012 ~ Publicity Book Blitz and Kindle Giveaway Contest

Book Description: Unconquered


The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley ...

In 1935 and early 1936, three cousins were born into tight-knit families in Ferriday, Louisiana. Rare piano talent, strong parental relationships, the Pentecostal church, family struggle, and a variety of musical influences worked together to produce men who changed twentieth-century music and culture. The individual stories of these three cousins illustrate their varied paths from small-town America to a world stage. Woven together, the collective story becomes even more compelling and amazing.

Unconquered is a story so unlikely that it would not be believable if written as fiction. It tells of rock 'n' roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, and country music star Mickey Gilley. These very different men, raised in the same time and place, with similar talents, were fated for entirely different destinies even as their lives would always be profoundly intertwined. Born into poverty, each man, in his own way, would become an iconic figure blessed with the ability to thrill and inspire.

The story's touchstones of music, perseverance, and faith could wield such force only in the American South. There, in the Louisiana lowlands' Concordia Parish, their story began in the midst of the Great Depression.






In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:


Daddy's Home by A.K. Alexander



Tuesday-Wednesday, May 1-2, 2012 ~ Author Guest Post and Book Review

Book Description: Daddy's Home


A Killer Stalks His Prey ...

A calculating and deadly killer is in search for what he terms as his perfect family. Preying upon single mothers and their innocent children, the police have dubbed him "The Family Man."

He Watches Them ... He Takes Them ...

He plays out his role as the perfect father. When things don't go so perfect in his insane fantasy world, the family man kills.

Holly Jennings Is On The Case ...

Crime Scene Investigator Holly Jennings of the San Diego Police Department is determined to track him down and see that justice is served. With Holly being a single mother herself, this man's crimes are deeply personal to her, and turn more so when a friend and her daughter become the latest victims of "The Family Man."

Along with tracking an evil killer, Holly is dealing with her own internal demons. She is raising her daughter Chloe alone after the death of her husband - a death she feels guilty for.

To complicate her life further, Holly is doing her best to avoid possibly falling in love again with charming veterinarian Brendan O'Neil. As Holly delves deeper into solving the murders, she finds herself being sucked into a game of cat and mouse by "The Family Man," that may lead her down a dark path too horrible to bear. One that may cost her gravely - her family, her new found love, and even her life.






In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the following virtual book tour event:


Waking Up Happy by Jill Muehrcke




Thursday-Friday, May 3-4, 2012 ~ Author Guest Post and Book Review


Book Description: Waking Up Happy


Waking Up Happy: A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope ...

There are many reasons why you may want to change your life. If you're in a relationship that's diminishing rather than enhancing your best self, or if you're eating the wrong foods, hurting your body, or doing other self-destructive things, you know, deep inside, that you can't continue on that path. And as you pass through different phases in your life - as you become a parent, for example, or an empty-nester or a retiree - radical adjustments are necessary. 

Changing your life isn't easy . It means learning to know yourself. It means creating yourself anew. Because you're both the sculptor and the stone, it's a wrenching task.

And yet every sculptor knows that the piece of art that's meant to be already exists: It's a matter of carving its essence from material that's already there. When asked how the granite bear came to be, the sculptor says, "I just cut away everything that wasn't a bear."

Everyone's life cries out for transformation. If you don't change and grow, you die: Bit by bit, day by day, your innermost soul dwindles and perishes. The cost of not continuing to grow is ultimately feeling half-dead.

You're the artist of your own life. All you need to do is pick up the tools for change and begin to use them. Each false start is a carving crucial to the final piece of art, paving the way for you to sculpt your greatest creation: the beautiful self that lies within the stone.







Jersey Girl Book Reviews Virtual Book Tour Event is pleases to host the following virtual book event:


Hope Road by John Barlow



Saturday, May 5, 2012 ~ Author Interview and Book Review

Book Description: Hope Road


Hope Road: a psychological mystery - You can't change your past. But what about your future?

John Ray, son of crime boss Antonio "Tony" Ray, is the straight one of the family. With a successful business and a lifestyle to match, he wants nothing to do with his father's criminal world. But what does that world want with him?

A young prostitute is found dead in John's car, and Freddy Metcalfe, his best friend and employee, is framed for her death. Freddy denies everything but it's an open and shut case: he's going down for murder. John sets out to find the real killer.

But things get complicated. A stash of counterfeit money was also found in John's car, and the police seem more interested in that than in the dead girl. Then Lanny Bride turns up; one of the north's most ruthless criminals (and an old friend of the Ray family), Lanny is desperate to know who killed the girl. But why? Meanwhile, Freddy is too scared to talk to anyone, even his lawyer.

John's police detective girlfriend, Denise Danson, has been warned off the case by her boss. But she doesn't believe Freddy is guilty, and secretly helps John look for the murderer. The problem, though, is that uncovering the shocking truth about the girl's death will force John to confront his own criminal past and risk destroying his future, as well as losing the only woman he's ever loved.

A novel set in the English city of Leeds, this is the first crime-mystery in the LS9 series.



Author Guest Post: Julia Madeleine, Author of The Truth About Scarlet Rose

Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Julia Madeleine, author of The Truth About Scarlet Rose!




Why I Love The Bad Guy


I've had some criticism over loving "the bad guy" in my writing a little too much. It's true that I enjoy the role of the antagonist, maybe even slightly more than the hero or heroine. As a result the bad guy usually ends up having a bigger role in my stories than the protagonist. Apparently, you're not supposed to do this. You need to give the reader a likeable "good guy" to connect with so they can back him. There should be some very black and white distinctions between the good guy and the bad guy, not just shades of grey. I understand this. But ... I like shades of grey. When Phillip Phillips was told on American Idol to get rid of the guitar and not wear grey, he came out with his guitar wearing grey on grey. I was proud.

Someone told me that in my last novel, No One To Hear You Scream, my characters were all losers and scumbags, even my heroine. I'd probably have to agree on that, for the most part. They really are losers in one way or another. And I loved my bad guy loser in that book more than all of them. 

Two books in particular that I've read, both have main characters that could be considered losers and remained that way throughout the story. The Delivery Man by Joe McGinniss Jr. and A Kind of Intimacy by Jenn Ashworth. I loved both of these books. And what about James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice? There isn't even a hero in that story, just two villains conspiring to kill someone. I suppose that's the difference between noir and thriller. The stories I write have elements of both, I think. In my reading I generally prefer noir, where you don't know if the villain will die or get away in the end or if justice will prevail or not, or if the ending will be a happy one. 

While I would agree that most readers expect justice to prevail in a story and want a strong protagonist who's basically a good person but with some flaws and inner turmoil, and also have a good sense of humor and be charismatic, cracking funny one-liners (yawn), to me it's all such a boring formula. Sometimes it's just way more fun to give all those traits to the bad guy and let the reader twist a bit. 

Maybe it's because I want to understand the villain, dig deep into their psyche and discover what makes them so bad, what makes them do the things they do. I also like that bad guys aren't confined by boundaries. They can do what they want, be as bad as they want and get away with it. Nobody expects them to behave a certain way. The hero of a story has so much more responsibility. They have to behave themselves, they have to save the day, triumph over evil forces, and ensure the reader leaves the experience feeling that justice prevailed, all the while being likeable. That's a lot of pressure on a character. The bad guy on the other hand, doesn't have any responsibility other than breaking all the rules, and giving the good guy as much trouble as she can. To me, that's where the fun is. And it's why I love to write the bad guy.

Every time I hear in the news about someone who's charged with a horrible crime that makes the world hate them, I wonder what happened in their lives to make them do the things they did. While I feel for the victims naturally, I also see the person behind the monster and wonder about what goes on inside of them. Yeah, I probably should have been a psychiatrist. 


About The Author:

Julia Madeleine is a thriller writer and tattoo artist living in the Toronto area with her husband and teenaged (future tattooist) daughter. For a year she lived in the country on a 30-acre property in the middle of nowhere which became the inspiration for her novel, No One To Hear You Scream






BUY THE BOOK: The Truth About Scarlet Rose






Book Description: The Truth About Scarlet Rose


Scarlet Rose, the once remarkably beautiful, queen of the burlesque scene in 1960s Toronto, has aged into a decrepit bitter alcoholic, living on welfare and her daughter's handouts - a daughter she forced into the adult entertainment industry at the age of sixteen to support the family. Now in 1983, Scarlet's wealthy ex-husband has been found tortured and murdered in a hotel room, and her twenty-two-year-old daughter Fiona, must help the police find the killer.

While Fiona navigates her way through the dark recesses of her family's history, uncovering shocking secrets that threaten to destroy her, Scarlet Rose employs the skills she learns in Sun Tzu's The Art of War, fixating on making on making a new life for herself using other people's money. But when she befriends a lonely American woman sitting on an inheritance, greed that knows no bounds, cold-blooded murder and identity theft, might just prove to be Scarlet's undoing.



The Truth About Scarlet Rose by Julia Madeleine


The Truth About Scarlet Rose by Julia Madeleine
Published & Sold By: Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: February 17, 2012
Format: Kindle - 1378 KB - 344 pages
ASIN: B007ATP9X2
Genre: Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller / Noir Fiction / Contemporary Fiction


About The Author:



Julia Madeleine is a thriller writer and tattoo artist living in the Toronto area with her husband and teenaged (future tattooist) daughter. For a year she lived in the country on a 30-acre property in the middle of nowhere which became the inspiration for her novel, No One To Hear You Scream


AUTHOR WEBSITE
AUTHOR BLOG SITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS


BUY THE BOOK: The Truth About Scarlet Rose
AMAZON




BOOK TRAILER: THE TRUTH ABOUT SCARLET ROSE




Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Friday, April 27, 2012, author Julia Madeleine participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/author-guest-post-julia-madeleine.html


Book Description:

Scarlet Rose, the once remarkably beautiful, queen of the burlesque scene in 1960s Toronto, has aged into a decrepit bitter alcoholic, living on welfare and her daughter's handouts - a daughter she forced into the adult entertainment industry at the age of sixteen to support the family. Now in 1983, Scarlet's wealthy ex-husband has been found tortured and murdered in a hotel room, and her twenty-two-year-old daughter Fiona, must help the police find the killer.

While Fiona navigates her way through the dark recesses of her family's history, uncovering shocking secrets that threaten to destroy her, Scarlet Rose employs the skills she learns in Sun Tzu's The Art of War, fixating on making on making a new life for herself using other people's money. But when she befriends a lonely American woman sitting on an inheritance, greed that knows no bounds, cold-blooded murder and identity theft, might just prove to be Scarlet's undoing.



My Book Review:


The Truth About Scarlet Rose is a story about a once beautiful burlesque stripper, who has a dark psyche, deep hidden secrets and a penchant for getting what she wants at all costs. The reader first meets Sylvia Dalton, aka Scarlet Rose in the prequel Scarlet Sins. In the prequel, Sylvia Dalton is a beautiful Montreal born girl, who has had a hard life and was desperate to escape from her very dysfunctional family. At sixteen years old, she devised a plan to get pregnant by her boyfriend, and she assumed that he would go along with her plan and marry her. Unfortunately, she gave up her virginity to a boy that had wanted to wait but gave in to her feminine wiles, only to refuse to marry her because he thought that they were too young, and he wanted his bride to be a virgin. Pregnant and without any support system, Sylvia runs away to Toronto, where at seventeen years old she gives birth to her baby daughter Fiona in a home for unwed mothers. When they try to force her to give up her daughter for adoption, she leaves the home and rents a room, becoming a cocktail waitress in a nightclub to support herself and her baby. While working at the Lux nightclub she becomes fascinated with the burlesque dancers, and is discovered by Carlo, an entertainment agent, who introduces her to the burlesque / stripper world and gives her the stage name of Scarlet Rose. Scarlet Rose is a beautiful woman, she always had wanted to be famous, and the stage provided that for her, she was adored and sought after by all the men who came to see her perform. Now eighteen years old, Scarlet Rose falls in love with one of her admirers, Charlie Reynolds, an older man twelve years her senior. She moves in with Charlie within a few months of meeting him, and eventually marries him when she becomes pregnant with her second daughter, Suzanne. Married life is anything but rosy for Scarlet Rose, she finds out that Charlie is a gambler, heavy drinker and womanizer. Unhappy and bitter, she turns to murder ...


Fast forward to 1983, Sylvia is now a shadow of what she used to be. At the age of thirty-nine, her faded looks make her look fifty. The one thing that hasn't changed is her cold, hard, controlling, and ruthless personality. She has always put herself number one, while blaming her "ungrateful" children for everything that has gone wrong in her life. She has always used guilt to control them, her cruelty knew no bounds, and she was incapable of giving them love and compassion. Sylvia lives on welfare and the handouts from Fiona, her oldest daughter, who she made go into the stripping business when she was sixteen years old to help support the family. When Syvlia's ex-husband Charlie is found brutally murdered, his step-daughter Fiona is determined to find out who had murdered the man who she cared for and considered to be her best friend. 


Filled with suspenseful drama and more twists and turns then a roller coaster, the reader is taken on an journey into the dark side of deeply held family secrets, betrayals, greed, sex, drugs and murder that is one hell of a thrill ride. 

The Truth About Scarlet Rose is the type of dark murder mystery suspense thriller that keeps the reader turning the page as they try to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. This storyline is cleverly written, the reader is drawn into the dark psyche of a very troubled woman and her equally dysfunctional family. There are so many fascinating characters, each are complex and have interesting stories of their own, but the author masterfully interweaves the characters lives and pulls the reader into the story as they try to keep up with them through all the drama and suspense. 

The Truth About Scarlet Rose is a disturbing psychological thriller that will not disappoint hardcore mystery murder suspense thriller fans! 


RATING: 4 STARS ****



Scarlet Sins by Julia Madeleine


Scarlet Sins by Julia Madeleine
Published and Sold By: Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: February 17, 2012
Format: Kindle - 126 KB - 22 pages
ASIN: B007AW2C8Y
Genre: Murder Mystery Suspense Thriller / Noir Fiction / Contemporary Fiction


About The Author: 




Julia Madeleine is a thriller writer and tattoo artist living in the Toronto area with her husband and teenaged (future tattooist) daughter. For a year she lived in the country on a 30-acre property in the middle of nowhere which became the inspiration for her novel, No One To Hear You Scream





BUY THE BOOK: Scarlet Sins


Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.


Book Description:

In the prequel to The Truth About Scarlet Rose, life for an unwed teenage mother in the 1960s can be a hard road. Sylvia knows all too well how limited her options are. At seventeen taking a job as a burlesque entertainer to support herself and her baby is her best hope. But choosing to marry an older man and have a family with a cheating, boozing, gambling husband who makes promises he can't keep, becomes her downfall. And for a woman with limited choices, her decision to commit murder is not one she makes lightly, but carefully plans and executes in cold blood.


My Book Review:

Scarlet Sins is a chilling dark suspense thriller of a short story that is a prequel to The Truth About Scarlet Rose.

It is the story about Sylvia Dalton, a beautiful Montreal born girl, who has had a hard life and was desperate to escape from her very dysfunctional family. At sixteen years old, she devised a plan to get pregnant by her boyfriend, and she assumed that he would go along with her plan and marry her. Unfortunately, she gave up her virginity to a boy that had wanted to wait but gave in to her feminine wiles, only to refuse to marry her because he thought that they were too young, and he wanted his bride to be a virgin. Pregnant and without any support system, Sylvia runs away to Toronto, where at seventeen years old she gives birth to her baby daughter Fiona in a home for unwed mothers. When they try to force her to give up her daughter for adoption, she leaves the home and rents a room, becoming a cocktail waitress in a nightclub to support herself and her baby. While working at the Lux nightclub she becomes fascinated with the burlesque dancers, and is discovered by Carlo, an entertainment agent, who introduces her to the burlesque / stripper world and gives her the stage name of Scarlet Rose. Scarlet Rose is a beautiful woman, she always had wanted to be famous, and the stage provided that for her, she was adored and sought after by all the men who came to see her perform. Now eighteen years old, Scarlet Rose falls in love with one of her admirers, Charlie Reynolds, an older man twelve years her senior. She moves in with Charlie within a few months of meeting him, and eventually marries him when she becomes pregnant with her second daughter, Suzanne. Married life is anything but rosy for Scarlet Rose, she finds out that Charlie is a gambler, heavy drinker and womanizer. Unhappy and bitter, she turns to murder ...

Scarlet Sins is a fascinating glimpse into the dark psyche of a very troubled woman. The storyline is intriguing, the drama and suspense will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. This short story is filled with chilling twists and turns, the characters are complex and fascinating, and the author does a wonderful job of describing the 1960s decade and the inner workings of the burlesque clubs. Sylvia/Scarlet Rose is a fascinating character, the author provides the reader with a dark character that draws you into her world. Sylvia/Scarlet Rose's poor choices and decisions in her life leaves her bitter, ruthless and revengeful against anyone or anything that gets in her way. This short story will whet your appetite to read The Truth About Scarlet Rose.


RATING: 4 STARS ****

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Author Interview: A.L. Jackson, Author of Pulled

In association with CBLS Promotions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes A.L. Jackson, author of Pulled!




Welcome to Jersey Girl Book Reviews A.L.!


Before we get to the interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Hi everyone! I'm A.L. Jackson, author of Pulled & Take This Regret. I live in Southern Arizona with my husband and two sons. 


How long have you been a writer?

I think I'd have to say I've always been a writer in some capacity, although I've been writing seriously for about the last five years.


Do you have a "day job," or is being an author your career?

Being an author is my career, although I'm also part owner in a small publishing house, so when I'm not writing, I'm working with our other authors on their projects. 


What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as an author/writer.

I used to write a lot when I was in college, though it was more poetry than stories. Then life got busy with marriage, kids, and work, and it became something that I didn't really do anymore. A handful of years ago, I started reading a lot again and that stirred up the urge to write. It was then I started writing Pulled. 


What is your definition of success as a writer?

I believe that there is always growth as a writer, although for me personally, it was being able to do it as a career. 


Do you write books in a specific genre?

I always write romance, although I vary within the romance genre, from straight contemporary romance to a dark fantasy/paranormal romance trilogy I have in the works. 


Please give a brief description / storyline about Pulled.

Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream of, a love they believed bonded them together for life. When their world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions.


For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their heart. In an attempt to escape the pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side. 


Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago.


But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart?


What was the inspiration for this story?

I had no specific inspiration other than this one character, Daniel, who first popped up in my head. I envisioned a man who'd suffered a great loss, but was still connected in some way to the one he'd lost. The story kind of simmered in my subconscious until I finally sat down and started writing it. 


How did it feel to have your first book published?

It was such a great feeling when Pulled was first released. It was something I hadn't imagined would ever come to fruition, and once the process started, it all happened so fast. I was really surprised to find I was just as excited to see Pulled re-released as I was the first time around. I'd love to ask a seasoned author who's had dozens of releases if that feeling ever goes away. 


What genres are your favorite(s)? What are some of your favorite books that you have read and why?

My favorites are contemporary and paranormal romance. One of my favorite series I've stumbled upon recently is the Shadow Series by Erin Kellison. I was excited to see she has a new series in the works. 


Do you have a special "spot/area" where you like to do your writing?

I do most of my writing in my office, which is in the farthest corner of my house, tucked away from distractions, although I've been found on the couch with my laptop writing while my kids watch TV. It depends on what kind of mood I'm in. 


How do you come up with the ideas that become the storyline for your books?

So far with all of my books, one character has just shown up in my head. I can see their face and get some kind of idea of their situation. I'm sure there's something that triggers it, but I haven't ever been conscious of it. Then I build the story and other characters around that idea.


From concept to publication, about how long does it take for you to complete a book and have it released?

Just under a year.


When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?

I typically write when I find a large chunk of time to devote to a chapter. I'm a slow writer and it takes a while for my creativity to get flowing once I sit down to write, so I like to have a solid block of six hours or so to devote to writing when I do.


What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?

I love digging into my characters thoughts and emotions. Dialogue tends to be the hardest for me.


What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?

I love to read, of course, but I'd have to say a perfect night is dinner and a movie with my family or hanging out with the girls and unwinding. 


What is/was the best piece of writing advice that you have received?

I tend to be wordy when I write, and one of my first editors basically told me No. She showed me how to pare that down without my stories losing the strong emotional effect I want them to have.


What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?

It's an amazing feeling when I get a review from someone that says one of my stories touched them in a profound way. 


How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?

I'm on Twitter and Facebook, though one of my favorite things is getting a Goodreads message from a reader that I've never spoken with before.


Is there anything in your books that is based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?

None are based on real-life experiences, although I tend to draw from emotions I've felt from experiences in my past. I was a very young mother, so I tend to write young mothers into my stories. 


What authors have been your inspiration or influenced you to become a writer?

Even though she writes completely out of any genre, Janet Mitchell has been one of the most inspirational authors to me. She has a very unique writing style, and she helped me to see that I didn't have to fit into a box as an author.


What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

If you love it, keep writing!


Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit with us?

My next release is When We Collide, which is due out November 2, 2012. When We Collide is written in the tradition of Pulled, although it slants a little more into the realm of a supernatural thriller. It's a bit dark, but the happily ever after is in sight, so I'm getting really excited about it.



Thank you A.L. for stopping by and spending some time with us at Jersey Girl Book Reviews!


About The Author:


A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she'd been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel, Pulled.

A. L. resides in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.


AUTHOR BLOG SITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
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A.L. Jackson's Pulled Virtual Book Tour Page On CBLS Promotions




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Book Description: Pulled 


Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream of, a love they believed bonded them together for life. When their world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions. 

For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their heart. In an attempt to escape the pain of her life, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side.

Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can they deny the connection they felt so long ago.

But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart?

Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have.


Book Excerpt: Pulled


I glanced at the clock.

Shit - nearly six o'clock. I needed to hurry. I'd lost track of time and Nicholas would be home soon. I wiped the tears from my face before carefully gathering the pictures from the bedroom floor. My chest weighed heavy as I collected each one, cherishing the memories a moment longer as I tucked them away in the envelope. 

The memories were all I had and I clung to them as if they were my last breath, knowing that once they faded, there would truly be no reason to go on. I hid the envelope at the bottom of the large jewelry box in the back of the closet, mindful to spread the necklaces out over the hidden compartment. Nicholas had never found them, but I was certain he would destroy them if he ever did.

Drawing in a deep breath, I ran my hands through my hair and dragged myself from the past I had immersed myself in for the last two hours and forced myself downstairs.

My footsteps echoed against the marble floor, each an accent of emptiness. I entered the kitchen, the only sanctuary I had. Every room of this house was gaudy and overdone, designed by the pompous for the pompous, except in this haven. It was no less extravagant, but held a warmth missing from all of the others.

As I worked, my thoughts inevitably wandered back to those beloved pictures hidden away in the back of my closet, but even they weren't enough to ward off the anxiety steadily building within me as the passing minutes warned of Nicholas's arrival. At six thirty-one, I heard the garage door open. Bile rose in my throat. 

"Melanie?" Nicholas called from the entryway.

"In the kitchen," I called weakly. Maybe he would go upstairs and spare me a few more minutes, but of course, I never had that kind of luck. I heard his footsteps approaching and prepared myself.

"Dinner ready?" He yanked at his tie as he came through the door.

"Um, not quite, just a couple more minutes," I said, not meeting his face.

I felt him pause, though I refused to look up. I'd learned a long time ago how to survive in hell. The less I interacted with him the better.

He snorted through his nose, muttering, "Worthless whore," under his breath.

I gritted my teeth, holding in the anger his accusation triggered.

He set his briefcase on the island next to me and tossed his tie over the top of it. "What time do I get home from work, Melanie?" Nicholas dipped his head, forcing me to look at him.

"Six-thirty."

"Is it too much to ask that dinner is ready when I get home?" he said, "or do you have something better to do with your useless life?"

I cringed but said nothing. He was the one who didn't want me to work. 

"I didn't think so." He leaned in closer, his words a low warning. "When I tell you dinner needs to be ready at six-thirty, it means dinner is to be ready at six-thirty. Do you understand?"

I saw the threat in his eyes. He had never hurt me physically, but he made sure I knew who was in charge. I'd given up any control nine years ago when I'd followed him here to Chicago, looking for an escape from the pain.

I knew then what this life would be like. I'd met him at the airport when I'd fled Colorado that final time, the trip that severed the last thread holding my heart together. Nicholas hadn't seen the broken girl who sat numb with nothing but pain swimming in her eyes. He saw the young, beautiful girl, the one who said nothing at all but seemed to be willing to do whatever he said. 

I wasn't stupid. I had known exactly what he wanted, but I could never go back to Colorado Springs to face what I could no longer have, and I refused to stay with my mother in Dallas.

So I left all of it behind, moving with Nicholas to Chicago just days after I returned from Colorado.

I knew then Nicholas would never bring me happiness. That had never been the point. My heart belonged to another and would never be his. All I wanted was a way out, while Nicholas got the trophy wife he thought he deserved. The only thing I hadn't anticipated was how the numbness I felt for him would evolve over nine years into bitterness and loathing.