REVIEW: GONE BAD by Julie Morrigan

A large, seemingly never ending work project and running a youth lacrosse program have kept me really busy lately. Been able to keep track of my fav blogs, but commenting, and posting on mine has been tough. So, I figured I would get things back on track with a review of Julie Morrigan's "Gone Bad" story collection.

Back in Sept 2010, thanks to Paul Brazill's blog, I found out about one of my favorite crime writers, Julie Lewthwaite ( Morgan, Morrigan) and had the following to say HERE  Since that post I have read many more of Julie's stories and others that have not yet been published, or are excepts from larger to be completed works.  Man, can she write hard edged, kick-ass crime stories. It's one thing to write about bad guys and killing people, but to do it with such a well written style takes a real talent. Her latest collection of stories is called "Gone Bad" and it is a winner in so many ways. You can buy it in ebook form for just .99 cents at SMASHWORDS, AMAZON, and AMAZON UK

Here is the on-line review I posted, and for .99 cents, you can't find better entertaiment.

5 Stars
"This was a terrific read. A great mix of flash and short stories make up this hard nosed, no-nonsense collection of crime stories showcasing both the bottom and top rungs of the UK crime world. Believable, authentic dialogue and excellent characters are what really made this work for me. The flash stories all catch you with a great twist and pack a big punch, but it is with the longer short stories that the author does her best work. Flawless writing / editing and excellent formatting made this a very enjoyable read on my nook. Highly recommend to any crime, drama, or thriller fans."

Mindjacker is #1 Bestseller on Smashwords

Last week I advertised a promotion on variuos discussion forums, including Nookboards, KindleBoards, eBook Gab, and Absolute Write, where you could download the ebook version of "Mindjacker" for free from Smashwords using a coupon code. The promotion ended last night and when I checked this morning it was # 3 on the bestselller list. This morning, I extended the free down load offer to December 12th and it has moved to # 1.

Like most serious, realistic writers, I am not in this for the money, just a "love of the game" and establishing a readership. If anyone would like to take advatage of the offer:

Here is the link http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17083?ref=athenagwis and be sure to enter the NEW coupon code ZX83E to download for free.

Mark Staniforth's 'Fryupdale"

"Porn stars and serial killers, Nazis and nymphomaniacs, hunchbacks and bare-knuckle boxers: just a few of the disparate cast of characters who call the remote moorland community of Fryupdale their home"

This is what caught my attention, when I read Mark Staniforth's interview regarding his collection of short stories in "Fryupdale"

Need more convincing:
It's a collection of tough, gritty, down-to-earth tales from a semi-fictional North Yorkshire village. There's all sorts of folk from the fringes of society: porn stars, aliens, drunks, Nazis: you name it, they're probably in it. It's loosely based on the kind of place I grew up in, so I like to think I've got a good idea about what makes the characters tick. I won't lie - if you're a fan of chick-lit or wizards this stuff might not be for you. You could say it's an antidote to Harry Potter and all the best-seller, TV book-club froth. Hopefully that will count for something in itself.

Now, it's no secret that I love the U.K. crime writing style and after just a few sentences of the first story in "Fryupdale", I was "all in".

DID I MENTION THE PRICE OF "Fryupdale" IS FREE!!!, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a shot.

You can check out the interview, more info on Mark, and the link to download a free copy HERE

Download Mindjacker for only 99 cents on Smashwords

In an effort to promote interest in the e-book version of Mindjacker, I am offering 99 cent downloads for today and tomorrow on Smashwords. You can choose whatever e-format you need, depending on your e-reader. PDF version can also be downloaded. 

To take me up on this offer use coupon code MR52G after you go to Smashwords HERE

In other news, another round of top notch stories have been posted for the 600-700 challenge over at A Twist of Noir. To check them out, click HERE

Contest Time

As promised, here is the except from "Mindjacker". The first person to answer these 3 questions correctly in the comment section, will get a free copy of the novel, which I will send to you.

1) What author am I referencing?
2) What is the title of the novel being referenced?
3) What is the character's name in the novel being referenced?
*****************************************************
The next morning we got off the elevator and strolled
across the lobby toward the exit. A Lincoln Town Car was
waiting to take us to Rockefeller Center.

“Hey, look at that.” Bryce pointed at a stack of New York
Post papers, visible through the window of the gift shop. We
stopped to look at it.

ARMANI BUTCHER CAUGHT dominated the top half of
the front page in bold, black letters. The bottom half had a color
photo of a man with graying hair in handcuffs. He was smiling,
wearing a dark cashmere overcoat, and flanked by numerous
members of the NYPD.

“Poorly dressed amateur,” I said. “That will keep them
busy. Let’s go, we need to be in the front row.”
************************************************************

Whoever wins, assuming anyone gives it a shot, I'll provide my e-mail and you can let me know where to ship your copy to.

As promised, to download a free copy of the novel to the e-reader of your choice, go to the "Mindjacker" page on Smashwords HERE

The coupon code to use is YQ89Q. You will need to provide an email address and create a password before the download is accessible. The coupon will expire at midnight tonight. Please feel free to share the coupon and info with others.

My Q&A on Declan Burke's Crime Always Pays Blog

One of my favorite authors, Declan Burke, who wrote THE BIG-O and CRIME ALWAYS PAYS, was kind enough to offer me a Q&A session as part a weekly post he does with authors. To take a peek at it click HERE

If you have not read THE BIG-O, you don't know what you are missing. I am in the middle of reading the sequel, CRIME ALWAYS PAYS, which you can find HERE, and it is just as good, if not better so far.

MINDJACKER approved for Smashwords Premium Catalog

Got the good news this morning that my novel was approved to be included in the Smashwords Premium catalog. This was acccomplished by following the formatting guidelines that are required for distribution of an eBook, and passing the automated and manual review processes. I received my eBook ISBN as well, which I think is pretty damn cool. It also means that Smashwords will now distribute it to major online retailers including Apple, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo, and other Smashwords partners.

I am using Createspace for the print version. The cover is complete and the MS Word manuscript doc has been converted to a 6 x 9 novel template. The last step is to convert the MS Word doc to PDF, then upload it. From there I get a proof to review.

All of this and I have not spent one penny of my own money.

MINDJACKER: is now on Smashwords

Well, I guess I can call it a dream come true. My first novel is now published. It's available as an e-book on Smashwords website. I'm hoping to get it bumped up to the Premium catalog in a week or so. That will get it on the B&N and Amazon websites, as well as the Apple bookstore. If anyone is interested in checking it out, viewing 20% for free, or shelling out $2.99 to buy it, click Here

I hope to have a print version available in July sometime.