The Encouraging Word

When people find out I write fiction, I usually get a variety of reactions.  Some are "Oh, that's nice!" while others say "Listen, I've got a great idea for a story. Let me tell it to you, then you write and we'll split the profits."  Every once in a while, you'll get someone who says, "I'm going to write a book too," as if putting a good story together is as easy as making toast.

But every once in a while, you get a reaction that makes all of your efforts worthwhile. I was fortunate enough to have that happen to me twice last week.

One was a reader who had picked up a copy of "Devious" the first book in the Jamie Richmond series.  She enjoyed it so much, she couldn't wait to get her hands on "Vanishing Act" the second book in the series. And she even went so far as to write a nice review on Amazon and give the book a 5 star rating. Ya gotta love that.

The second one was from author M S Spencer, who writes some very engaging stories and has a knack for creating memorable, believable characters. Truth be told, I've read a couple of her novels, "Lapses of Memory" and "Artful Dodging: The Torpedo Factory Murders" and thoroughly enjoyed both of them.

We've traded a few messages in the past and I asked if she would be interested in doing an early read for "Why 319?"  After some delightful banter and complaints about her busy schedule, Spencer agreed to take a look.  This was the comment she sent when finishing the book.

"If you’re looking for a riveting police procedural, pick up Mark Love’s new murder mystery, Why 319? Fast-paced, authentic, with a slew of distinctive characters and an unconventional mystery, the story’s twists and turns (not to mention a few backtracks) kept me guessing way too long."

Encouraging words like that not only bring a smile to a writer's face and a fist pumped into the air, but it also motivates me to keep writing.  If you'd like to find out more about Spencer's efforts, here's a like to her site.

http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com/ 

Meanwhile, I'll be counting down the days to the release of "Why 319?"  Can't wait to add the cover to my group.

Get "Devious" for FREE

Greetings!

This weekend, I'm offering up copies of "Devious" the first book in the Jamie Richmond mystery series for free.  You've heard of BOGO, the Buy One, Get One (for half off or maybe for free), well, a friend refers to this as BNGO, or Buy None, Get One.

With the third book in the series on the horizon and slated for publication in the e-world sometime in October, I thought it might generate some interest in the series by offering the first book for free as a limited time offer. So dust off your Kindle or whatever device you use and stop by Amazon this Saturday and Sunday and get your hands on Jamie. 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=devious%20by%20mark%20love

Roll With It

Sometimes, you just gotta roll with it.  I can't write those words without thinking of that great rock and roll number by Steve Winwood.  There's no way to not move with this number, particularly if you're watching the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWptXUblA4E

 

Maybe it's just me, but when I'm trying to write, there's no way I can do it in absolute silence. Music is a part of it, just like it's a part of life.  Different types of music, from jazz to rock to the blues can have an impact on the scenes I'm writing and how my characters behave (or misbehave as the case may be.)

Things lately continue to be busy.  And if the recent news I've got is any indication, there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.

 "Fleeing Beauty" the third book in the Jamie Richmond series, has been accepted by Secret Cravings Publishing.  It's slated for a release as an e-Book in October. Usually a print copy follows in a couple of months, so that could be out before the end of the year.  To have two books released in the same year with two different publishers is going to be a blast.  You may wonder why I'm with two houses.  I view all of my books as mysteries, but the Jamie series could cross into both the mystery and romance genres.  "Why 319?" does have a little bit of romance, but it certainly plays a minor role in this book. That's why I went looking for another publisher and that may lead to finding a larger audience for my books.

If you're familiar with the series, you know Jamie is this curious, stubborn redhead who draws trouble like kids to an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.  Book three focuses on a discovery of a hidden storeroom and studio that her late father, who was a very successful artist had.  When a theft takes place, it's just one of the mysteries Jamie is determined to solve, along with learning more about her father's life and her own past. Mix in a few new colorful characters, a budding romance and the appearance of her wayward mother and we're off on another adventure.  Here’s a little bit to get things started.  I'm anxious to see this one hit the market and what the cover looks like.

 

* ** *

I don’t want to die.

I’m not ready for it. There are too many things I haven’t experienced yet. Places to go, people to meet, adventures waiting to be discovered. I want to gaze at the stars over the Mediterranean Sea while making love with Malone. I want to fly in a sailplane. I want to stand on a beach in Key West and dip my toes in the ocean and the gulf. I want to travel to exotic lands, dine on their cuisine and dance my little ass off to the local music. I want all of that and much more.

But I don’t think any of that is going to happen.

We’re all going to die.

Once this gang gets what they’re after, there is no reason to leave us behind. They’re not going to lock us in a closet and make a run for it. We’ve all seen their faces. We know their names. We can identify them. There is no way they will let us live. Their leader has a violent streak and it’s only a matter of time before he lashes out again.

My mind is flashing on ways out of this. But nothing makes sense, nothing that will allow me to stop them, to guide us out of here safely.

I don’t want to die.

But there is nothing I can do to prevent it.

 

 

 

 

The Latest

It has been far too long since I put something on this page.  Life just gets in the way, but that's no excuse. We all have work, family, friends and lives that pull us in various directions.  I think it was Henry Ford who once said "Never Complain and Never Explain" or words to that effect.  So with that said, I'll move on and renew my internal commitment to stop by here more frequently.

As for the latest, things have been busy.  The edited manuscript for my mystery, "Why 319?" has been returned to Black Rose Writing and we're still on track for a release in September.  This will be my first book with Black Rose and I am trying my best to remain patient.  319 has been a challenging story, one that has seen many iterations over the years. I'm a nut for memorable characters, engaging dialogue and enough twists and subplots to keep the reader guessing.  That's what I aimed for in this novel and if I didn't hit the bulls-eye, I think it's pretty damn close. Here's a peek at what it's all about.

There’s a serial killer loose in Metro Detroit, but nobody knows it.  Three female victims have been discovered in motel rooms in different suburban cities that surround Motown.  These deaths have not captured the media’s attention.  The only connection is that each body is found in room 319 and the killer leaves the taunting message “Why 319?” on the bathroom mirror, written with the victim’s lipstick. The nude bodies have been cleaned and neatly arranged. All personal items are gone.

                

Now an elite squad of detectives has entered the scene.  It’s up to them to take over the investigations from the different suburban cops and solve the riddle.  But there are no clues to guide them and no apparent link between the victims.  Each killing has taken place roughly thirty days apart.  The detectives know that time is not on their side. If the public learns there is a serial killer at large, will panic set in? Will they be able to figure it out before the killer strikes again? 

Soon there will be another cover to grace these pages.

Peace