Guest post Stephen Zimmer

Today Stephen Zimmer is stopping by on the blog for his Spirit of Fire Blog Tour. Spirit of Fire is the third book in his Fires in Eden series.

 
My Writing Environment: Setting the Right Mindset 

All writers certainly have their quirks, and I am no exception. In a recent interview, I was asked about what kind of coffee shops or bookstores I like to write in, and I had to chuckle because I’m afraid I would completely flop in any attempt to write in such public places. I really admire the ability of those who write in that kind of environment and can keep distractions at bay. 

As for me, there is nothing exotic to my particular method, but I have found that the approach I have come to embrace really works for me in terms of setting the right mood.

There are some intrinsic components to establishing my optimal writing environment.

Interview Kari Lee Townsend + Giveaway

Today I welcome Kari Lee Townsend back on the blog. Her second book in the Fortune Teller Mystery series - Corpse in the Crystal Ball came out this month and I am currently reading it and I can tell it is as much fun to read as the first in the series Tempest in the Tea Leaves.
Don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end of the post.
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Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, what can I say? I am a mom of four (3 boys and 1 diva) and I’ve been married for 23 years. I love to do adventurous activities, go wine tasting, travel and any related to photography. When I’m not running the roads to some sports activity J My background is in English education, but I have to say I’m most happy working from home writing books.

Could you tell us in short what this series is about?
This series is about a psychic who moves from the big apple to the small town of Divinity in upstate New York to make a fresh start. She opens her own fortune-telling business in an ancient Victorian house she bought that the entire town thinks is haunted. But Sunny suspects the mysterious happenings are coming from the big white cat named Morty that came with the house. Each book will focus on a different fortune-telling tool as Sunny helps the police in Divinity solve crimes as a consultant; much to the dismay of the cynical Detective she nicknames Grumpy Pants. So if you like a good mystery, a bit of romance and a lot of humor, then this series is for you.

All he saw was the Girl by Peter Leonard

Genre: Thriller
Publisher: The Story Plant
Buy the book: Book Depository
Source: I received an e-copy from the publisher

Rome: McCabe and Chip, two American exchange students, are about to become embroiled with a violent street gang, a beautiful Italian girl and a flawed kidnapping plan.Detroit: Sharon Vanelli's affair with Joey Palermo, a Mafia enforcer, is about to be discovered by her husband, Ray, a secret service agent.Brilliantly plotted and shot through with wry humour, All He Saw Was the Girl takes place as these two narratives converge in the backstreets of Italy's oldest city

Two months ago I had the pleasure of being introduced to Peter Leonard's storytelling with Voices of the Dead which I really enjoyed. So I was absolutely stoked to be able to read his next book All he saw was the Girl.

Love thy Neighbor by Mark Gilleo

Genre: Thriller
Publisher: The Story Plant
Buy the book: Book Depository
Source: I received an e-copy from the publisher

Clark Hayden is a graduate student trying to help his mother navigate through the loss of his father while she continues to live in their house near Washington DC. With his mother’s diminishing mental capacity becoming the norm, Clark expects a certain amount of craziness as he heads home for the holidays. What he couldn’t possibly anticipate, though, is that he would find himself catapulted into the middle of a terrorist operation. As the holiday festivities reach a crescendo, a terrorist cell – which happens to be across the street – is activated. Suddenly Clark is discovering things he never knew about deadly chemicals, secret government operations, suspiciously missing neigh- bors, and the intentions of a gorgeous IRS auditor. Clark’s quiet suburban neighborhood is about to become one of the most deadly places on the planet, and it’s up to Clark to prevent the loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives in the nation’s capital.

Love thy Neighbor is a very enjoyable read, it is well written and thought out story. 

Clark is a grad student from Virginia Tech, moving back home to take care of his mother. He is your friendly neighbor who helps where ever he can. And the nieghbors have helped out with his mom. But how well does he actually know his neighbors and can they be thrusted?