Category Archives for General Fiction

Have you ever wanted to climb into a time machine and visit Hollywood during its heyday?
Right before talking pictures slug Tinsel Town in the jaw, a luminous silent screen star converts her private estate into the Garden of Allah Hotel. The lush grounds soon become a haven for Hollywood hopefuls to meet, drink, and revel through the night. George Cukor is in the pool, Tallulah Bankhead is at the bar, and Scott Fitzgerald is sneaking off to a bungalow with Sheilah Graham while Madame Alla Nazimova keeps watch behind her lace curtains.

But the real story of the Garden of Allah begins with its first few residents, three kids on the brink of something big.

Marcus Adler has a lot to prove after his father catches him and the police chief’s son with their pants down. He flees Pennsylvania for Hollywood with his mouth shut and his eyes open, and begins to write the lines all those starlets will say out loud. Can a smart, sensitive guy find his own voice in a town that’s just learning to talk?

Kathryn Massey’s childhood was a grinding routine of auditions, but she couldn’t care less about being a movie star. When she takes off with her typewriter, determined to become a newspaper reporter, she finds that breaking into the boys’ club is tougher than breaking free of her bossy mother. To make it in this town, she’ll need some serious moxie.

Gwendolyn Brick is a sweet Southern beauty who’s come a long way to try her luck on the big screen. She’s hoping the same succulent lips the guys want to kiss will land her more than a bit part on a casting couch. She’s going to need some help keeping everyone in line.

Nobody gets a free pass in Hollywood, but a room at the Garden on Sunset can get your foot in the door.

The Garden on Sunset is the first in Martin Turnbull’s series of historical novels set during Hollywood’s golden age.

Hollywood’s Garden of Allah novels:
Book 1: “The Garden on Sunset”
Book 2: “The Trouble with Scarlett”
Book 3: “Citizen Hollywood”
Book 4: “Searchlights and Shadows”
Book 5: “Reds in the Beds”
Book 6: “Twisted Boulevard”
Book 7: “Tinseltown Confidential”
Book 8: “City of Myths”
Book 9: “Closing Credits” – due out November 2018

Martin Turnbull’s Garden of Allah novels have been optioned for the screen by film & television producer, Tabrez Noorani.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Your Garden of Allah novels are rich in the history and lore of classic era Hollywood. What was your original inspiration?

I came across an online article about the Garden of Allah Hotel, which opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1927, just before “The Jazz Singer” ushered in the talkies, and closed in 1959, the year that “Ben-Hur” announced the last hurrah of the studio system. The Garden’s residents witnessed the unfolding evolution of Hollywood and actively participated in it.

How has writing these novels changed your view of this golden age that we perceive as the greatest era of film production?

L.A. was a much less densely populated city. Consequently, all movie industry workers were far more likely to know each other. People moved from MGM to Paramount to Twentieth Century-Fox to RKO to Warner Bros. Two or three degrees of separation were usually enough!

Why did you not go the safe route and change the names of the major players to suit your story?

The whole point of recounting the history of Hollywood through the eyes of the Garden’s residents was because so many celebrities lived there. Harpo Marx and Sergei Rachmaninoff were neighbors, F. Scott Fitzgerald played charades with Dorothy Parker, Errol Flynn got drunk, Ginger Rogers was always looking for a tennis partner, and Bogart courted Bacall. I figured: Why tell it if I’m going to change the names?

Do you think stories set in old Hollywood are becoming more popular because of Turner Classic Movies?

Yes! TCM has produced a whole new audience for them. Consequently there is a greater interest in the time and place from which these movies sprung.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with an inside look on Mr. Rogers’ spiritual legacy. It shows us a man who, to paraphrase the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “preached the gospel at all times; when necessary he used words.”

Tom Brokaw of NBC Nightly News once said of the American icon Fred Rogers, “Mister Rogers was an ordained minister, but he never talked about God on his program. He didn’t need to.”

Eight years before his death, Fred Rogers met author, educator, and speaker Amy Hollingsworth. What started as a television interview turned into a wonderful friendship spanning dozens of letters detailing the driving force behind this gentle man of extraordinary influence. Educator? Philosopher? Psychologist? Minister? Here is an intimate portrait of the real Mister Rogers.

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers focuses on Mr. Rogers’ spiritual legacy, but it is much more than that. It shows us a man who, to paraphrase the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “preached the gospel at all times; when necessary he used words.”

Her first murder case will stick with her. Closer than she ever imagined.

New TV reporter Stella Reynolds moves across the country for her chance at a dream job, and her career kicks off when she covers the town’s first murders in years.

When the prime suspect’s girlfriend enlists Stella to help clear his name, she uncovers another shocking crime that could expose a handful of powerful insiders.

Who is honest, who can’t be trusted and who committed the murders? Stella is on a tight deadline to find out. Can she help free an innocent man, or will the real culprit get away with murder?

The Big Lead is the first book in Libby Kirsch’s entertaining cozy mystery series. Kirkus Reviews says,”Kirsch’s novel is full of humor, mystery, and romantic tension.” If you like cringe-worthy catastrophes, laugh out loud antics, and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page, then you’ll love this series by an Emmy award-winning former journalist.

“Evanovich…with a dash of CSI.” – Publishers Weekly (review of Lucky Stiff)

A TWO-BOOK LUCKY STARTER SET!

Book One: Wanna Get Lucky?
AND
Book Two: Lucky Stiff

Haven’t met Lucky yet? Here’s your chance!

Everyone Has a Hidden Talent

For Lucky O’Toole it’s murder…solving it.

Surviving in Sin City takes cunning, a pair of five-inch heels, and a wiseass attitude. Lucky has mastered them all and has a pair of legs she uses to kick butt and turn heads.

As the Chief Problem Solver for the Babylon, Las Vegas’s most over-the-top destination, mischief is in her job description.

She’s good at her job.

She’s less good at life. But who has time for a life when there’s a killer on the loose?

READING ORDER

Wanna Get Lucky? (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 1)
Lucky Stiff (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 2)
Lucky in Love (A Lucky O’Toole Original Novella 1)
So Damn Lucky (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 3)
Lucky Bang (A Lucky O’Toole Original Novella 2)
Lucky Now and Then (A Lucky O’Toole Original Novella 3)
Lucky Bastard (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 4)
Lucky Catch (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 5)
Lucky Flash (A Lucky O’Toole Original Novella 4)
Lucky Break (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 6)
Lucky the Hard Way (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 7)
Lucky Ride (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 8)
Lucky Score (The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure Series Book 9)

AN INTERVIEW WITH DEBORAH COONTS

Why did you decide to write humor?

I’m not sure I decided to add snark to the Lucky, books, specifically to Lucky’s own voice, it just happened that way. When I was a kid, my mouth always got me into trouble. Finally, I’ve found a way to harness the sarcasm for the Forces of Good—or at least in a way not to anger my grandmother. And when Lucky started talking to me, she had a strong dose of sass in her.

The Lucky O’Toole Vegas Adventure series is hard to categorize. Is that by design?

When I set out to write Wanna Get Lucky?, I knew I wanted to write a romp through Las Vegas. I had the characters and the setting but no real understanding of narrative drive. So, I threw a young woman out of a tour helicopter into the middle of the Pirate Show and let the story unfold. A bit of murder to keep the plot moving, some wisecracking and Vegas mischief to make you laugh, and some romance to keep it interesting. A bit of a mash up, but it works.

PRAISE FOR THE LUCKY O’TOOLE VEGAS ADVENTURE SERIES

“Lucky’s story is funny, fast-paced, exuberant and brilliantly realized.” – Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Get ready to win big–with a novel that will keep you glued to the pages all the way to the end.” – Brenda Novak, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author

“More fun than a winning streak in Vegas.” – Diane Mott Davidson, New York Times bestselling author

“Deborah Coonts…entrusts the sleuthing to a brainy beauty who sees the lighter side of human folly.” – New York Times Book Review

“Las Vegas is the perfect setting for this witty tale of misdirection and larger-than-life characters. Fans of J. A. Konrath’s Jack Daniels series will love this.” – Library Journal, starred review

Jane Delaney does things her paying customers can’t do, don’t want to do, don’t want to be seen doing, can’t bring themselves to do, and/or don’t want it to be known they’d paid someone to do. To dead people.

Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake—on behalf of the rightful owner, supposedly. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner. Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is, not to mention dangerously sexy.

Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn. But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?

Alright, alright, alright, you’re clicking like a boss now! We know your job’s a mess, your traffic stinks, and you didn’t win Powerball. Here’s a little help (that’s what Michael Scott said). This book is for anyone that enjoys humor and entertainment short reads, plus anyone that has ever said, “More cowbell!” Reviewers say this book is “fun, college type humor,” “a fun bunch of random ideas,” “very funny and on point,” and “laugh out loud funny.” Conversely, one person called it “silly, not that funny.” Your mileage may vary. Consult a doctor if your symptoms last more than four hours. No animals were harmed in the making of this description.

If you enjoy humor that is observational, absurdist, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and laced with wacky deconstruction and unpredictable rhythms, Fun Stories is for you. If you don’t enjoy offbeat humor, do not download this book, stop reading right now, and report directly to the Soup Nazi.

Thank you for not being one of those losers that stopped reading. Some of the authors and artists that inspire R. Scott Murphy’s work are Dave Barry, Jimmy Fallon, Gary Larson, David Sedaris, Judd Apatow, Tina Fey, Carl Hiaasen, and Jim Gaffigan. Click the audio sample located under the book’s cover and listen to “Chick-fil-A Makes Me Feel Like Leonardo DiCaprio.” The track hit #1 on iTunes Comedy and is a good yardstick for whether you will enjoy the Fun Stories series of eBooks, audiobooks and iTunes releases. Practice saying “my pleasure” after you listen.

Other popular chapters from this first book include “I’m the Freakin’ Michael Phelps of Googling,” “Shamelessly Suggestive City Names,” “Happy Friday (Mr. Pee Man),” “Mind Game of Thrones,” and “Ferris Bueller Time.” Many of the audio versions for these chapters have charted on iTunes. “I’m the Freakin’ Michael Phelps of Googling” is Murphy’s most recent iTunes #1 Comedy track.

Part storyteller, part game show host, part DJ, part madcap tour guide, R. Scott Murphy invites your participation through his interactive storytelling game called Mental Kickball. Murphy is an accomplished radio & TV personality, game show producer, author, and four-time winner of the “Late Show With David Letterman” Top Ten List Contest. He also won the Remi Award (script writing) in the film industry. Some reviewers say Murphy takes random fun to the next level. Nine out of 10 doctors say Murphy watches too much TV. There is no truth to the rumor that he tried to change his middle name to “Google.”

FUN EXPERIENCES YOU CAN GET FROM READING THIS BOOK:
•TOP FIVE THEATER: Count down the “Top Five Shamefully Suggestive City Names”
•SILLY SURVEY: Is Starbucks more popular than deodorant in your office?
•FUN EDUCATION: Turn an uneasy meeting with a man peeing in the alley into a valuable life lesson
•COMMUTER EMPOWERMENT: Learn the best ways to make fun of other motorists and give Clown Commuter Awards
•UPLIFTING ADVENTURE: How Chick-fil-A makes Scott feel like Leonardo DiCaprio
•VISIT A WORLD OF SUPERHEROES: Proof positive that Scott is “The Freakin’ Michael Phelps of Googling”
•SECRET OFFICE TIPS: How to successfully plant decoy food in your work refrigerator

For more information about R. Scott Murphy, please visit www.mentalkickball.com or www.facebook.com/FunStoriesSeries.

FUN FACT: Supercool, the 800-pound gorilla logo for Mental Kickball appears in some form on all of the covers for Scott’s books and albums. You can see Supercool in the rearview mirror on this cover.

CALL TO ACTION: Just download it already, please.

She closed her eyes. Think with your head. Your heart can’t be trusted. Life is not a fairytale…

Rory doesn’t believe in love. She’s got far too many real problems to deal with.

She’s just bought a tumbledown house. Her mother is generally behaving like a wicked witch, insisting on calling her Aurora, and generally interfering in her (admittedly pitiful lack of) love life. And her 16-year-old daughter has finally grown out of Disney princesses and discovered dating…

But Rory’s adamant that she doesn’t need saving. In fact, the only thing she’s wishing on a star for is a bit of practical help. However, when she meets a builder whose name is John Prince and who seems to be in the habit of rescuing her (right down to finding her lost shoe one evening) she might have to face a truth as uncomfortable as hobbling home barefoot – that maybe there’s something enchanted in the air.

Her mother, daughter and friends are convinced her prince has come, but Rory just wishes everyone could let it go. Especially when she hears a story that makes her question whether he is really the hero everyone thinks he is…

A hilarious, romantic love story about mothers, daughters and how on earth to find Prince Charming, for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes and Cecelia Ahern.

What readers are saying about Happily Never After:

‘Absolutely unputdownable!… I loved this book. I finished it in 24 hours. I miss the characters already!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Not at all what I was expecting it to be… it was so much more. What you think to be a light hearted love story contained so many layers and depth. ‘Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Feel good chick-lit, romantic, funny, fabulous and utterly fun. I absolutely loved this’ Goodreads reviewer

‘A lovely romantic story…I found it hard to put down from start to finish. I loved all the characters… I highly recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun summer read!’ The Princess and the Pen

Praise for Emma Robinson:

‘I laughed out loud on the bus at this book … Well written, funny and most of all compassionate… a much-needed dose of humanity and humour … Five easy stars.’ S.E. Lynes, 5 stars

‘This was absolutely hilarious! I just couldn’t stop laughing throughout.’ Jessica’s Book Biz, 5 stars

‘This book was so much fun to read that I couldn’t put it down and HAD to read it in one sitting… I loved every minute of it.’ Pretty Little Book Reviews

‘My first thoughts for this book are laugh out loud hilarious! I simply couldn’t stop laughing through this book. Emma Robinson’s writing is so relatable.’ Bookish Lifestyle, 5 stars

‘Oh my days. I loved this book… First Class read, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun, yet real read. Friendships, secrets, lies, revelations, laughter, tears, relationships. This book covers it all.’ I Love Reading, 5 stars

‘This is a truly amazing book that I read in two sittings. I just didn’t want to put it down.’Whispering Stories, 5 stars

‘Within the space of a few pages… I could feel my spirits lift and a big smile settled itself on my face.’ Novel Deelights

‘If you’re looking for an easy and warm read with fantastic cast of characters, this is the book for you.’ This Chick Reads

‘It’s one of those stories you wont want to put down when you start… Very impressed.’ Gemma’s Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘I loved this book and everything it stands for… Hand on heart, this book is everything I could have wished for and more… Totally trophy worthy – Emma Robinson has certainly got a fan for life where I am concerned!’ The Writing Garnet, 5 stars

Award winning author, Heather Kindt brings you a story that’s “fun, fast-paced and keeps you engaged to the very end.”

There’s no place like home . . . until Dottie’s given a free trip to Las Vegas.

Second-grade teacher Dottie Gale lives in the tiny town of Quandary, Kansas, which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of nowhere. No mountains. No ocean. No life. Her ex-boyfriend and current school board member, Corbin Lane, cheated on her, making school functions more than a little awkward. But worst of all, a tornado named Maxine Westward rips through Dottie’s school as the new principal and has made her life at work a living hell.

When Dottie is chosen to go to a teacher’s conference in Las Vegas, she knows her life is going to change. Driving from Quandary to Vegas, three strangers enter her life. Through a string of situations involving poppies, flying monkeys, and a life-size sculpture of an iconic rock star the four soon become inseparable. So, when Westward arrives on her broom in Vegas, Dottie is ready for battle. Her boss black mails her with stories of incarceration, thievery, and a steamy relationship with her travel companion, but Dottie knows that those who hurl insults shouldn’t hold secrets of their own.

Editorial Reviews
“I had so much fun reading this and spotting all the clever twists, it was very entertaining. In fact I’m tempted to re-read it, to find more of the subtle hints. I’ve also been to a few of the places mentioned in the book which meant an extra thumbs up for me. I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a modern take on a good original oldie.” Roses are Amber

Dumped for a younger woman, delicious divorcée Darcy Pringle is determined to make a splash at her California town’s Spring Ball. But she doesn’t have a hot date. When a friend dares her to rent one: hunky womanizer Forrest Forbes, gone from riches to rags and desperate for cash, Darcy turns her life (and her bed!) topsy-turvy in this sexy romantic romp.

SALLY MASON loves to love. And loves writing about it!

International readers please note: this book is available on Kindle via Amazon US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Canada & Brazil.

What if a military science fiction universe is really a death sentence?
Discover life after we finally conquer the urge to blow up everything.
But even a universe at peace is still a very dangerous place.

22 years ago, a spaceship crashed on Earth Seven, a primitive 3 rated planet in strict contact quarantine. The boy who found the wreckage is now the man who will unite the planet under his rule. Allor heals the sick with alien technology. Allor will end the cult wars with his magic. His sister runs an informant network and collects the heads of his rivals. His mother has created a religion to worship him. Oh, dear!

The History Department sends Koven Modi, a rookie Field Historian, to Earth Seven to investigate the use of comms technology on a planet with a medieval civilization. Koven is not the best person for the job, he’s the only one left. Everyone else is out looking for missing Physics Professor Klept, who might just cause the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies to collide. Koven has simple goals. Avoid getting killed, avoid work, and avoid getting dumped by his girlfriend.

This is a story that examines basic science fiction assumptions about survival and considers new alternatives. What started as simple thoughts, ‘Why do they always …, what if …,’ resulted in Earth Seven, a small book of ideas.