Author Alicia Dean

I’m happy to welcome Kenneth Gordon to my blog today. I’m afraid I owe him a huge apology. I was supposed to have him here Thursday, but with my travels and other things going on, I’m afraid I’ve neglected my blog guests.

Thank you for joining me today, Kenneth. Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

I grew up in New Hampshire and still live here with my wife. My father is still alive, my mother died in 1991. We have two cats: an orange male named Frodo and a silver gray female named Zoe.

Where did you get the idea for In My Blood?

It’s a hint about the solution to the great plague.

Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?

All my books have been science fiction. It’s a genre that is very flexible and platform to say just about anything.

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

It all started when I tried to take Frodo outside (he’s an indoor cat) to take a lap around the yard. A big truck rumbled by and scared him. He tried to pull away, but I held him fast. Unfortunately, his claws did some damage to my shirt and myself. I had what looked like a reverse ‘N’ on my chest. That night I thought, maybe there is a plague on another world and emissaries were sent out to find the chosen one, which would bear this mark.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

The hardest thing was to find someone to help me with the plague. I wanted to make sure it was plausible and the cure could possibly work. Like anyone would do, I tried to contact the CDC. They must have thought I was a nut, a potential terrorist or both. No one returned my calls. Finally a local HIV doctor helped me. She was instrumental in getting things right.

What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?

It’s like a mystery novel you must start with the solution and work backward. I had to create three separate cultures.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it?

I’m a web designer, programmer, musician.

What was your first job?

Selling cards and giftwrap.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?

A pot, fire starter, Bible.

What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with?

Les Stroud.

Your most prized material possession? Why?

My computer. I do almost everything on it.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

There are a few unfinished works. I hope to finish them and get them out there.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

Depends on the story. In this case, I would have to say me and my imagination.

How did your interest in writing originate?

I’ve enjoyed it since high school when my English teacher gave us time to write in a journal. I was writing more fantasy at that time. I took creative writing on college, and did some short stories after college.

Your favorite…

Movie
Don’t have any one favorite, but among my favorites are: Back to The Future, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Arrival.

Music
Symphonic Metal is my favorite currently.

Place you’ve visited
Israel

Place you’d like to visit
Scotland

TV show from childhood
Superfriends

TV show from adulthood
Scorpion

Sports team
All the Boston Teams.

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?
TV

About the Author:

Kenneth Gordon lives in Milford, NH. When he isn’t writing SciFi-infused horror novels, he plays PC games, electric and acoustic guitars, and drums. He also holds a brown belt in Kung Fu.
Ken has written five SciFi/Horror novels for Class Act Books: Dark City, Cadre of Vampires, Harmonic Convergence, In My Blood, and Dirus Sonus.

Learn more about Ken at:

Web Site: http://kennethgordonnovelist.com/
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/KennethGordonNovelist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KennethGordon69
Publisher’s website: http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/our-authors/manufacturers/kenneth-gordon

Blurb for In My Blood:

If you discovered your blood could save an alien people from death at a great cost to you, what would you do?

Thomas Anderson, from New Hampshire, is just about to start his third year of pre-med at Emory University when he meets a strange little man.

Tom is whisked away to the whirlpool galaxy as he starts researching the plague and begins working towards a cure. Little does he know that the cure will cost him everything! He must decide if he is willing to give up his life for a people he doesn’t know on a world that is not his own.

Excerpt:

Thom walked out of the post office and down to the dining hall alone.

This was going to be his last dinner at school for a while, maybe a long while. He hoped the food was be memorable.

Salisbury steak was on the menu. He grimaced at the thought. He selected fried chicken, okra, hush puppies, corn bread, and some kind of greens mingled on the tray. It certainly wasn’t the healthiest, but it beat the alternative. Picking up a cup, he pushed it into the bay of his selected soda. No ice, it’s better that way.

Thom selected a table in the back and took a drink from the red plastic tumbler. He took one last, long look around, trying to take it all in and remember it. He wasn’t sure if he would ever see it again. The fountain had real Coke this time. He took another drink and started in on the chicken.

Just then, Kai showed up at the table.

“Can I talk with you?”

“Sure, have a seat.”

The alien sat down.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

“Would not eat that food within one thousand parsecs.”

“Not the healthiest, I know. What did you want to talk to me about?” A bolt of fear shot down Thom’s spine.

“Need to brief you on the task, Chosen One,” Kai said in hushed tones. “We have a great plague on our world. You will come and save us. It was prophesied.”

“Whoa, wait a minute…” Thom held up a hand as if to stop Kai’s words. “Hold on…back that bus up, beep…beep…beep. A plague? You can’t be serious. I’m in my junior year of premed. I’ve only had one class, one, in infectious disease. What makes you think I can save your people?”

He moved around in his seat and inched slightly away from Kai.

“Simple, you are the Chosen One.” Kai smiled with complete confidence.

“Maybe your prophets got it wrong. You know, if a prophet gets it wrong, then you don’t have to listen to them,” Thom denied it.

“The Prophets are never wrong. You are the Chosen One, you come help save our people. I wait long time, many emissaries were sent to many worlds, but I found you. Now, you come. Yes?”

“Alright, I’ll come. Still don’t think I’m qualified, but I’ll at least take a look and see. Okay?”

“Yes, yes. We meet at six AM outside your dorm. Then we fly home.”
Kai-min stood and left the table while Thom held his head in his hands.

What am I getting myself into? Thom, you are an idiot. How can I help these people? I’m not even a real doctor yet. I don’t have the experience, but now because my cat cut me up, I’m this ‘Chosen One’?

Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/My-Blood-Kenneth-Gordon-ebook/dp/B072N8R9YQ/
Paperback: http://classactbooks.com/component/virtuemart/science-fic

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Linda Burson…

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

Originally from Pennsylvania, I moved around for a few years until I settled in Connecticut with my husband and two daughters. We have a white Lhasa Apso who is 16 years old that we’ve had since he was a puppy. Other than my cute dog, we are now empty nesters. My daughters live on their own and have full-time careers. I retired from a business I had so I could concentrate on writing books full time.

Where did you get the idea for your series/book?

I named the series after my protagonist, Marcy. However, each book has its own title as well. The Agreement is the fourth book in the Marcy Series. This title comes from an important conclusion in this novel.

Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?

I mostly concentrate on writing romantic thriller/suspense novels because I enjoy reading those types of novels. When I first started my Marcy series, however, I didn’t think about genre specifically. I just kept writing chapter after chapter. It’s when I started researching genres that I realized it fell into this category.

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

The idea for the story is not a typical one. I saw a story one day about how there are men with multiple wives. Of course this is also a typical situation in certain religions as well as in Arab countries. I thought, “Why is it always this way? What about a woman who has multiple husbands? Why does it always have to be the other way? Women can be in love with more than one man. It’s true, women never had the same options as men, but this is the 21^st century. If women want to ‘marry’ more than one man, it’s their right and choice. The decision is theirs.”

That was the basic concept. My protagonist, Marcy, is in love with two men and she can’t choose between them. As the story continues, it delves into reasons why she feels the way she does—why she needs and desires these men in her life and how much love she has to give. You learn about her emotional issues due to past traumas. Additionally, it focuses on her flaws as well as her strengths and how important her family is to her.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

Having the time to sit and concentrate and focus on just the story. Everyone has different needs while writing. I, personally, need quiet and alone time. Once-in-a-while, I’ll listen to music, but if I do, it has to be older music.

What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?

Are there any tricks, habits or superstitions you have when creating a story?

I don’t have any particular tricks, or superstitions, but I don’t like to be interrupted while I’m writing. If I’m in the zone, per se, I have to continue. I feel like I lose my flow if I have to stop to go to an appointment. I’d rather make sure I have the entire day for writing. That doesn’t mean I may write the entire day, but I prefer to have the time available.

What book have you read that you wish you had written?

That’s an interesting question. There are many fantastic books that have been published over the years. I suppose I could choose one that has made millions of dollars once it became a movie. Instead though, I believe I would choose most of the mysteries written by Agatha Christie. I love her murder mysteries. I think they were creative, entertaining, thrilling and brilliant.

What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?

Yogurt. I dislike Yogurt with a passion. Many people don’t understand that. I also don’t care for sour cream, cream cheese and mustard and mayonnaise. Though, I do like certain cole slaws, not many, but a few. People definitely don’t understand that.

Do you collect anything?

Postcards.  I purchase a postcard from everywhere I travel.

What was your first job?

My very first job I had was when I was eleven years old. My mother worked for a catering company. She would take me along with her and her boss would pay me $1.00 per hour. It was a lot of work for $1.00 an hour, but it was money. The best part was at the end of the night…we would get a tip from the host/hostess and that could be as much as $5.00 or $10.00 for the five to eight hour shift.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

I would definitely have more writing time if I stopped going to the gym three times per week. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be as healthy and fit as I could be. I also wouldn’t lose the weight I want to lose.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?

The feeling that they were entertained during the course of reading the novel. That they felt moved during the sad parts, and maybe had a chuckle or two at other parts. Hopefully, they understood some of the deeper meaning I may be hinting at in the story.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

No one wants a bad review; however, the more reviews we receive; the better it is for the author. I don’t believe, on a one to five scale, that anyone deserves a one or two star review unless the writing is that poor, meaning that there aren’t complete sentences, or there are spelling errors and the story isn’t consistent. If the editing is that poor, most likely the author edited it themselves and didn’t hire a professional. On the average, even if the book I’ve read isn’t one of my favorites, if it is well-written and makes sense, it deserves a three-star review with comments that are constructive and not completely personal.

Your most prized material possession? Why?

That would be all the photos I have. There are old pictures that I collected from my parent’s home of my great grandparents, grandparents, etc. Plus all the photos of my children over the years. These are all definitely my most prized possession. These cannot be replaced.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

I feel all characters have some of me in them and some of other people I know. They are not written specifically about anyone I know. I try to have each character branch off into their own person even if I begin writing them as a familiar personality.

Your favorite…

Movie – I have many favorite movies, but to choose only one, I’ll say Moonstruck.

Music – Most songs from mid twentieth century (1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s)

Place you’ve visited – Hawaii

Place you’d like to visit – New Zealand

TV show from childhood – The Dick Van Dyke Show

Sports team – Grew up being a huge Pirates fan back when baseball was the way baseball should be. Now, I don’t have the same passion for sports.

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? I love board games when I’m playing them with my kids.

Thank you…I enjoyed getting to know you! Please tell us about your book.

Blurb for The Agreement, Book 4 in the Marcy series:

After the perfect honeymoon, Brad and Marcy return to reality to begin their new life together. Unfortunately, Brad and Marcy’s wedded bliss runs into complications. Brad seems distant and cold, and Marcy is confused by his unexpected behavior.

When Marcy goes into labor, Brad is by her side. Later, Marcy confronts Brad about their crumbling marriage and decides it may be better for them to separate. Brad begs Marcy to reconsider, pleading with her not to leave.

For now, Marcy agrees to stay put with their son. Brad and Marcy reconcile. Brad forms a surprising and unexpected friendship which changes the course of their lives.

Excerpt from The Agreement:

We go to find Brad. He’s talking to his brothers. I walk up behind him, wrap my arms around his waist, and kiss his back. He turns his head, sees it’s me, and puts his arms around mine.

Matt says, “I’m glad this brother of mine finally got smart and asked you to marry him. I was thinking I might have to step in and see if you’d like to switch brothers.”

“The best gifts in life are worth the wait,” Brad says squeezing my arms, then picking them up and bringing me around to the side of him so he can kiss my head.

“You always say the most wonderful things to me,” I convey.

“Well, if you two are going to get mushy, I’m leaving. Come on, Ryan. Brad’s making us look bad. Good thing Kelsey and Samantha are in the other room.”

Dave comments to Brad, “You know, Brad, you and your brothers aren’t that different from LM, JJ, Elb, and me. You have that good, bad, fun, and serious sides that we all have. I can see you understand the way it was and is between us. So I owe you an apology. I suppose it’s difficult for us now, with Liam not being here, considering how we feel about Marcy. We want to be a part of her life. Her life now includes you. It’s unfortunate you and Liam were in love with the same woman. If it weren’t for that, you and he would’ve probably been good friends; but then again, if it wasn’t for the two of you loving the same woman, none of us would’ve ever met.”

“If it wasn’t for Liam, Dave, I would’ve never met Marcy,” Brad answers. “She probably wouldn’t be here now, which means none of us would have her in our lives. I’m aware she’s here now because of his heroic actions all those years ago. To be honest, he may have been competition to me for her heart, but I can’t fault the guy for that. I understand him being in love with her. I may be slightly sensitive when it comes to him, but that’s only because I know she’s in love with him as well. I still blame myself for letting her go in the first place. If I hadn’t, their relationship wouldn’t have started. I don’t dislike Liam. He loved Marcy, I love Marcy, I like all of you guys, Marcy loves all of you and you’re all friends with Liam. I’m aware he was a great guy, which means I don’t mind hearing stories about him. What makes me annoyed and uncomfortable is when everyone else acts like they’re uncomfortable talking about him in front of me. He was a part of all your lives, and whether I like it or not, he was a part of Marcy’s life. I won’t deny it and pretend it didn’t happen. Besides, I can’t deny her relationship with him. Thebaby she’s carrying might be his. What kind of a person would I be if I try to deny his existence in her life, and this baby is his and not mine?”

“I said it before and I’ll say it again; you’re a hell of a man, Brad. And if Liam were here right now, I’d tell him so. I’d be happy to tell him you’re an honorable man and

Marcy’s in good hands.” Dave puts his hand out for Brad to shake. “Brad, if you’ll accept, I’d be proud and honored to call you friend.”

“I do accept and thank you. That means a lot to me.”

They start talking about sports, and that’s when I excuse myself.

About the Author:

Linda is an author from Connecticut.

After years of writing and editing for others, raising a family, and over twenty years of running her own businesses, Linda decided to tackle her first fiction novel entitled Rage, which began as a single book. Eventually, the novel became a trilogy, and finally a much longer series. All the books are a part of The Marcy Series, a romantic suspense series. There are currently six novels in the series.

In 2016, Linda was named one of the Top Ten Authors of that year by Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. Her novel The Agreement, (Book 4 of the Marcy series), was chosen as one of the Top Ten Thriller novels of the year also. In 2017, her novel Caught in a Lie (Book 7 in the Marcy series) placed second in Best Cover Artwork from Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. Her romantic suspense novel The Colors of My Life, also was a Top Ten Finisher in the Thriller Division that year.,

Find out more about Linda at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lbursonbooks/?fref=ts

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/lindajeanburson

Website is lindaburson.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2258525.Linda_Burson

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Burson/e/B016SOB3S4

Twitter: @lindaburson23

Buy Links:

The Agreement: https://www.amazon.com/Agreement-Marcy-Book-4-ebook/dp/B01IG982NS/

Paperback also available at the publisher’s website: www.classactbooks.com

Abandoned
By Mary Martinez

About the Book: 

Glenna Beckett loves her family dearly, but being the youngest of six can be overwhelming. Moving across country helped her learn who she was outside the family. She’s built a successful business in the form of a quaint shop on Main Street of Calistoga, that sells a bit of everything vintage, the new age term for antique. What more does she need?Then he walked into her shop. International playboy, Lance Gordon. After a whirlwind courtship he asks her to marry him. Burying a niggle of doubt in the pit of her tummy, she says yes. He’s even agreed to have the wedding in Brooklyn so her family can attend. But he never arrives.

Glenna refused to believe she’d been abandoned at the altar and asks her brother, Tyler, to contact an agent friend on the West Coast to search for Lance.

Patrick McGinnis can’t believe he’s walking into a prissy shop in the high end of the Napa Valley searching for a missing groom. The bride, Glenna Beckett, is everything he feared, drop dead gorgeous, and a spoiled brat. Not that he’d ever tell her brother that. He hates wild goose chases, and this mission is exactly that. Patrick’s certain the playboy fiancé is off wooing some other delectable creature.

Unfortunately, once Patrick started to dig, he finds there’s more to the tale and it will take all his skills as an agent to keep Glenna safe. Especially when the case takes a turn and threatens the safety of his son, Finn.

Patrick McGinnis thumbed his phone off and dropped the thing on the table with a thud. What had he just agreed to? He held in a groan, barely.

“What’s up dad? You look like you just ate a sour grape.”

Finnegan, his sixteen-year old son, and the joy of his life, walked to the cupboard and pulled out a bowl. He filled it with cereal and added milk and then joined Patrick at the table. He dipped his spoon for a large scoop, and as he brought it to his mouth, Finn gave him the I’m waiting look.

“I just received a call from an old friend,” he said in way of explanation, he really didn’t like talking work with his son.

“It must not have been a good conversation.”

“It was good to catch up. He was with me at Quantico.” Best to focus on the old acquaintance part.

“Dad, I’m in high school. You can stop sheltering me now. He must have called for a reason. One you’re not too thrilled about. What’s up?” He repeated his earlier question.

Damn, Finn was growing up to fast. And the kid was right. He had a tendency to shield him from his work. Something he’d always tried to do, but more since Finn was three and the worst thing that could ever happened to a child had happened.

“Tyler is an agent in New York, however, he has a sister in Calistoga.”

His son let out a hoot of laughter. “Match-making from the east coast.”

“Ha, ha. No, his sister seems to have lost her fiancé and her assistant.”

“What they elope and left her behind? Why’d he call you?”

“The fiancé never arrived at the wedding. And then when his sister went to open her shop she found the assistant had been shot.”

“Oh.” Finn ate for a few minutes in silence. “Does the lost fiancé and the dead assistant have something to do with each other?”

“That’s one of the things Ty wants me to find out.”

Finn suspended his spoon half way to his mouth. “What is the other?”

“He wants me to find the missing fiancé for his sister.” He pulled his fingers through his hair. “It’s a wild goose chase if you ask me. If the guy had wanted to get married he’d have been at the wedding.”

“You’d think, unless he couldn’t.”

Patrick contemplated his son. He would make a good detective. He’d already helped solve a few of his cases, by just listening and making comments that brought other solutions to mind. Patrick wasn’t sure he wanted that for his son. He loved being a federal agent. For a while, after the incident with his son, he’d tried something else. However, his true passion was law enforcement and he’d been placed back on duty within the year.

You couldn’t help where your heart led you. No matter the consequences. 

“That is what I need to find out.” He stood and poured more coffee into his cup to warm up the cooling liquid. He leaned a hip on the counter while he sipped. “What’s going on at school today?”

Finn finished his cereal and stood to wash his bowl out. He appeared to be thinking as he put his dishes in the dishwasher.

“I have an algebra test. Just a fair warning, Dad, it’s kicking my ass.”

“Language son.” But he smiled, he’d heard a lot worse. “I have a few minutes do you need my help?”

His son gave him a skeptical look, which was well warranted. Algebra had thoroughly kicked his ass in high school, too, to the point he’d needed Saturday morning classes to pass the damn class.

After a moment he answered. “No, Mrs. Stewart said she’d meet me before school.”

“Old Mrs. Stewart is still there? I had her for Algebra.” He smiled and resisted the urge to ruffle his son’s hair. Since the boy was almost as tall as he was, it’d be a little awkward anyway. “You’re in good hands then. Do you want me to drop you on my way to Calistoga?”

Mary lives in Magna, a little town west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Together with her husband, she has six grown children, and six wonderful grandsons and five beautiful granddaughters. She loves to spend time with family and friends–she includes good books as friends!
Mary and her husband love to travel, especially to the Caribbean for relaxing, and Italy for the wine. And most recently she discovered she was Irish and Scottish, of course they had to visit Ireland and Scotland. Mary fell in love with both, but the green hills of Ireland felt like home. With the experience from the exotic places she has visited, she is able to fill her books with colorful descriptions of cities, painting a colorful backdrop for her characters. One of her favorite US destinations is New York/Brooklyn, where her beloved Beckett’s live. When she visits, she can wander their neighborhoods, favorite parks, and visit their favorite pub, Putnum’s.

They are avid concert ‘Ho’s’! Yes, they pretty much want to do them all. They love outdoor amphitheaters the best and attend as many during the warmer months as possible.

Mary writes mostly romantic suspense, romance, women’s fiction, and she has just begun to dabble in young adult mystery. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). During her writing career she has been a conference coordinator, workshop presenter, and chapter president for the Utah Chapter of RWA. In 2007 she was presented with the Utah RWA service award in acknowledgment and appreciation for outstanding service. Mary has also participated in numerous library panels on writing and co-presented a workshop on writing a series at the League of Utah Writers conference.
Mary and her husband are also enthusiastic college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.
GO UTES!Website and social media links:
Buy Link Amazon:

www.amazon.com/Mary-Martinez/e/B006MWJ1T6

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