TopShelf - November 2020 by TopShelf Magazine

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EDITORIAL THE SERIES STRUCTURE Page 21 FINDING MY PLACE IN ROMANCE Page 25 A SPOONFUL OF … COMEDY Page 27

INTERVIEWS HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN KIMBERLY HOWE Page 10 CRAIG DILOUIE Page 14 LIZ BUTCHER Page 16 MJ PRESTON Page 18 November 2020

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READ GRADY HARPS REVIEW OF THE FIRST TO LIE ON PAGE 36

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table of contents

masthead

interviews

CEO

6 10 14 16 18

Hank Phillippi Ryan Kimberly Howe Craig DiLouie Liz Butcher MJ Preston

The Series Structure Finding My Place in Romance A Spoonful of…Comedy

reviews 29 29 29 31 31 31 33 33 33

The Lurking Collection Overcoming A Palm Beach Scandal The Marquee Murders The Adventures of Bentley Hippo Thunder The Reflecting Pool Maximum Harm Ridicula

creative edge reviews 36 37 37 37

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President & Publisher Rebecca Katsikas

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Lead Editor Kyle Magnus

columns 21 25 27

Keith A. Katsikas Jr.

The First to Lie Blood & Mercy Wall of Issues LaRoux Manor

editorial policy TopShelf Magazine is a bookseller-focused trade journal packed with the crème de la crème in indie and traditionally published authors and books. There’s no junk here!

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Assistant Editor Sharon Isbell

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Contributors & Reviewers

Mickey Mikkelson, Creative Edge Media Grady Harp Serena Soape Jenn Taylor Phyllis Pisanellie Linda Keenan Michael Rowland Bobby jo Calder Kris Miller Kyle Magnus Kathrin Hutson Miranda Oh Jenna Greene

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TOPShelf Spotlights Lester loves his wife, sure he does. But he worries that he cannot understand her, despite years of marriage. He finds himself under the spell of an ancient guide who sends him on a journey of discovery. He learns what it is that truly matters when the moon turns blood red while following his quest on a remote beach in the heart of the Big Sur. Feminism comes alive when Lester realizes that women are the ones who shaped our destiny…

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A mesmerizing tale of adventure, romance and survival.

Beware of the Banker is a crime

Driven by a mother's sacrifice to save her daughter from abuse, and a lifetime of poverty, deprivation and neglect, Footprints on the Heart unwinds an epic tale of love, loss, and exile in the lives of unforgettable characters, as they navigate the turbulence of six decades against a backdrop of powerful world events.

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A depression-era boy wants badly to become a classical musician against the wishes of his hard drinking, heavy equipment operating father. His long-suffering mother wants him to escape the kind of life she’s had and supports his musical dream. He convinces himself that music is the most important thing in his life and marries the woman who has set her sights on him…

Donors to the new world class Chicago museum of Russian art are dropping like flies, and Jessica is at the center of the carnage. Can she track down the killer before she falls into his trap?

fiction story that takes place in the Portland, Maine area. It was inspired by the true story of Bonnie and Clyde, the most notorious bank robbers in United States history next to Jesse James.

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It's only a matter of time before she ends the hunt. Part human, part drackan, Keelin E’Kahlyn has made it halfway across the land, hunting down the human traitor controlling her blackouts for as long as she can remember. By her side stands Rokien of Asread, the rogue who echoes hints of Keelin’s past—the only other who rivals her in skill and instinct. And he has no idea they’re hunting the same man.

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH USA TODAY AND AWARD AUTHOR, HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN First, congratulations on the success of your newest Thriller The First to Lie, which released just this last August. Publishers Weekly hails this as “Stellar” and claims you could “win a sixth Agatha with this one,” while Sarah Pekkanen says, “book clubs will gobble it up.” What was the most exciting moment for you personally in releasing The First to Lie, your twelfth Thriller? Well, in any circumstance, it’s always crazy-chaotic to release a book-exciting, and terrifying, and wonderful, and life-changing. This was the first time, however, I have released a book in a pandemic, and, as it 6

happened, in a tropical storm, with downed trees everywhere and widespread power outages. But we persevered! And it was glorious to have 100 people on Zoom, all supporting me in this book I love so much. And yes, that starred review from Publishers Weekly had me floating through the entire event!

surprise. So it was astonishing to see my real life experience burble up from under the surface and inform the story.

What compels you to writing these characters living lies within lies through so many different layers? Do you find any difficulty in bringing these aspects of your character to Themes of revenge, family secrets, big and little life? What compels you to write these characters living lies? lies, and strong female characters drive the force behind this newest page-turner. Have you Oh, my goodness, it’s so much fun to write ever combined these elements before in any of these characters! It’s like method acting--I put myself into their brains, and into their your other works? And how does The First to motivations, and into their world. I figure Lie differ from your other acclaimed and out what they want, and try to see how far they will go to get it, and when I put tremendously received Thrillers? Such an interesting question. I think all of my books revolve around justice and truth – – they are all page turning thrillers, and designed to have you be so immersed in the story that you forget everything else. But of course, what holds a book together is it theme, and I am constantly irresistibly interested in justice, and truth, and how people deal with each other. I think psychology—and gaslighting, and manipulation—can be powerful weapons. Dangerous and deadly and terrifying. I do think THE FIRST TO LIE is unique among my books in that it has a medical element. One of the keys of the book is the yearning that people have for a family of their own. And moreover, what would happen if that desire was promised them, then yanked out from under them? How people—and corporations--rationalize their decisions as being “all for the best” when really what they mean it is the best for them. It gives me goosebumps to think of it. The first to lie is about betrayal motherhood, obsession, and revenge. Have I used those elements before? Of course. That is what life is all about.

What inspired the story behind The First to Lie? THE FIRST TO LIE was inspired by an undercover investigation I did as a reporter —in disguise and carrying a hidden camera into a doctor’s office to see if the doctor would lie to me about his malpractice history. It was terrifying, and high stakes, and laws in Massachusetts were changed as a result of our investigation. But I did not know that was the inspiration for the book until I started to write the book! And then, at one moment mid-first-draft, I realized oh! That’s what I’m writing about! The reality is, I have no idea what happens next in my books until I write the next word or the next sentence or the next paragraph – everything that happens, even the end, is a www.TopShelfMagazine.net

obstacles in their way, it’s fascinating for me to see what they’ll do to achieve their goal. Is it justice, or revenge, or obsession? I write the story to find out. It’s incredibly exciting, and every page reveals something new to me.

In addition to being a highly acclaimed Thriller and Suspense author with multiple Agatha Awards and Anthony awards, the Daphne Award, and the Marry Higgins Clark Award under your belt, you are also an onair investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDHTV and have received thirty-seven EMMYs along with countless other journalism honors. How much of your work as an investigative journalist overlaps into your thrilling fiction? I am the luckiest person in the world to have been an investigative journalist for so many years. And I’m still on the air here in Boston. I have wired myself with hidden cameras, confronted corrupt politicians, gone undercover and in disguise. I’ve been in prisons, and behind the scenes in court houses. I’ve had people confess to murder, and convicted murderers insist they were innocent. I know how people look when they lie, and about --oh, for example, the secret back rooms of the airport. So of course, all that experience and stress and responsibility and access goes into my novels. My books are not my television investigations changed into fiction, not at all. But after 40 years as a reporter, I know how to tell a story! And that practice has completely informed my fiction career

Conversely, does the way you weave your characters’ struggles into the story and “get into their heads” to leave readers breathless have any effect on how you approach a new

TOPShelf Interviews journalism story? So interesting! No, I don’t think so, actually. My goal as a television reporter is absolutely to get into the heads of the people I’m interviewing--what do they want, and how far will they go to get it. And that’s exactly how I look at a crime fiction story. In both instances, I ask myself: why do I care? Because if I care, the reader/viewer will care. So it’s all about an important story: with a problem that needs to be solved, a character you care about, where the good guys win and the bad guys get what’s coming to them. And in the end, you get justice and change the world a bit. Whether it is crime fiction or fact, it’s the same.

What was the most real-life thrilling situation you’ve experienced personally? Oh, I have covered swat teams charging into hostage situations with teargas, fires and murders, and hurricanes, I have carried a hidden camera and gotten caught, I have chased down criminals, and confronted corrupt politicians. Lives and laws have changed as a result of our story. I’ve been threatened, and pushed down, and followed, and stalked, and yelled at. As an investigative reporter, I am the one you do not want to have on the other end of your phone line! So every day is an adventure.

Are there any other genres in which you have or would enjoy writing? I love crime fiction, and I am devoted to it. I have thought about writing crime fiction set in another time – – and I I am thinking about doing that. But right now I am still challenging myself to get better and better as a crime fiction author.

What is your favorite Thriller novel by another author? What is your favorite novel in any other genre? How much time do you have? My favorite ever? The Charm School by Nelson DeMille, Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths, and Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. I could go on and on and on. My favorite novel in another genre? The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton, Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe, and The Stand by Stephen King. Read our interview with Hank Phillippi Ryan at:

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TOPShelf Spotlights In this story, author Jim Nichols writes a riveting comingof-age novel that examines the melancholy fate of a boy torn apart by loss and domestic abuse, and the justice he eventually delivers, all the while writing a beautiful melody to counter it all, a song he calls 'Blue Summer.'

Beautifully and empathically written, A PONTIAC IN THE WOODS is a brutal and brutally honest tale of Jamie Sasso, a teenage girl who lives in an abandoned car and struggles against the odds to make it on her own. The characters are fascinating, the reality of Jamie's situation is starkly depicted, and Fred Misurella deserves a call from Hollywood for the movie rights. Available November 1, 2020

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When Lochlann becomes nervous about his upcoming Rite of Wands ceremony, his brother Mierta McKinnon reassures him everything will be okay. But when Lochlann staggers out of his ceremony and refuses to use magic, Mierta McKinnon is determined to find out what really happened. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Vandolay is under attack by a dangerous, unidentified creature, and Mierta’s father, Mortain McKinnon, requests his son’s assistance to help aid the injured.

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"The Jungle Book meets Kill Bill... with dragons!” Born of humans but raised by beasts who despise the legacy of man, Keelin is the only one who can redeem, or destroy, the future of both races. Nominated for an EFFY in the 2019 Epic Fantasy Fanatics Readers Choice Awards.

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The Undertaker is Laura Del Gaudio's lively story of learning the family business from under the kitchen table as a child and becoming one of the first woman Funeral Directors in New York. It is also how she learned empathy in the face of unspeakable traumas while understanding the impact of trauma herself. Licenced at the age of 21 she became the 3rd generation in the family business which was located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Run Before the Sea tells the story of a young woman's struggle with mental illness and the extraordinary risks she takes to rid herself of her terrifying delusions. It is a story that explores the troughs of despair on the long road to redemption, a story of resilience in the face of adversity, a story of drama on the high seas and stultifying events on land. A powerful mix of adventure, personal discovery, and self-renewal. Think hybrid of Kayson's Girl, Interrupted and Miller's The Crossing.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BESTSELLING & INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR, K.J. HOWE What would you like our readers to know about yourself? This could be a previously prepared bio; however, something customized exclusively for TopShelf Magazine would be greatly appreciated.

I lived internationally while growing up, including years spent in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. My father worked in telecommunications, so we were always on the move. Adventure and travel—and books—figured prominently as we traipsed from place to place. Experiencing this eclectic education offered unique insights into some of global hotspots in the world. I loved reading, especially international thrillers, and dreamed of one day becoming an author. While I developed my craft and storytelling skills, I also held down two jobs —medical writing and becoming the executive director of ThrillerFest. And now THE FREEDOM BROKER is out in the world.

What have some of your most memorable achievements been thus far in your writing career? One special moment is the day I received a call from my talented agent Victoria Sanders telling me that we had sold in the U.K. and US. It took time for it to sink in. Another achievement dovetails with the news of my sale. When I first read THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE by David Morrell, I wanted to become an author. If I could ever provide that delightful respite that David provided for anyone else, it would be a very special accomplishment. Years later, I pursued my Masters in Creative Writing at Seton Hill University—where David Morrell was a guest speaker. I met my hero, and he inspired me to keep working towards my dream. Fast forward to the ThrillerFest, the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers, co-founded by David Morrell and Gayle Lynds. I attended the first conference and started volunteering. A couple of years later, I was the executive director of this wonderful conference, and now I’m proud to call David a friend and mentor. Looking back at that moment when I read his phenomenal book, I’m honored that THE FREEDOM BROKER is published. It took time, hard work, and sacrifice, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Please tell us a little about your thriller, THE FREEDOM BROKER. There are twenty-five elite kidnap negotiators in the world. Only one is a woman. And she’s the best in the business. Thea Paris. She will do anything to bring hostages back home. In THE FREEDOM BROKER, Thea faces the toughest case of her career, with a very special client: her father.

What inspired you to write this dark, yet inspiring novel? Kidnapping fascinated me. It’s a purgatory of sorts where you’re alive, but not really living. Hostages have to rely on their www.TopShelfMagazine.net

captors for anything and everything, and their life is frozen in a nightmare bubble. The day hostages come home is a tough one. Everyone expects to see the same person, but the kidnapping has forever changed the former captive. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Peter Moore, the longest held hostage in

Iraq (almost 1000 days), and his story touched me deeply. Peter was taken with four British military gentlemen, and sadly, Peter is the only person who returned home. I’ve researched kidnap and ransom intensively for the last three years, interviewing kidnap negotiators, former hostages, reintegration experts, and the Special Forces soldiers who deliver ransoms and execute rescues. I hope that people who read THE FREEDOM BROKER will learn about kidnapping while escaping into an international thriller.

The protagonist is fantastic, well-developed, strong-arm female heroine. What (or who) inspired you to write this character? Thanks for your kind words about Thea Paris. I always wanted to write an alphafemale character. We have many strong male protagonists, like Jason Bourne, Jack

TOPShelf Interviews Reacher, and James Bond—but a female hero offers something fresh and new. Thea is feminine, intelligent, and has type 1 diabetes, and she can handle herself with great skill during tactical missions. I hope readers will connect with her. When she was eight years old, she watched her brother being kidnapped. Frozen in fear, she wasn’t able to help. Her brother returned home after nine months in captivity but was never the same. That experience shaped her dreams and goals. She wanted to become a freedom broker and spend her life bringing hostages back home.

I have to assume this won’t be the last of its kind. Please, do tell, when can we expect to see part two? I was fortunate to receive a two-book contract, so SKYJACK is almost finished and will be coming out in early 2018. Thea is shepherding two African orphans to their new home in London when the plane they are on is hijacked. The action kicks off from there. Secret stay-behind armies from WWII, the Vatican, and the CIA figure prominently in this new adventure, spanning the globe from Libya to Bosnia to Austria— and the not-so-friendly skies. Read our interview with K.J. Howe at:

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"..a deeply personal memoir of abuse written from the inside out by someone who's now fighting for fellow victims both past, present and future." JON LAND, USA BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BEST SELLING AUTHOR, CRAIG DILOUIE First of all, we at TopShelf want to congratulate you on your upcoming release of The Children of Red Peak, available November 17, 2020 and currently available for pre-order in paperback and ebook formats. “The survivors of a doomsday cult’s horrific last days reunite to confront their past and the entity that appeared on the final night.” What originally inspired the basis for what became The Children of the Red Peak? 14

The Children of Red Peak is about several adults who grew up in an apocalyptic cult. After surviving a horrific mass suicide and massacre, they now live with the trauma of what they experienced, which will lead them back to Red Peak to unlock its final mystery. When I write horror, I look to turn tropes on their head. The story is about a cult, but the group doesn’t start that way. The people in this religious group aren’t hypnotized crazies, they are ordinary people with strong religious beliefs. It is only when their leader hears the voice of God telling them to prepare for ascension that things get bad. Even then, everything they do has a hard logic to it that is rooted in their belief system. The psychology of it is fascinating. When writing horror, I also like to examine the consequences of tropes. We all know the story of Prince Charming fighting the dragon, but does he suffer flashbacks years later? Does he scream in his sleep? What’s his relationship with the princess now? As adults, the survivors of the Red Peak massacre struggle with trauma, memory, and the mystery of what happened to their parents. And we see that while they left the cult, the cult may not have left them. Thematically, I was interested in exploring the line between belief and delusion and how religious belief has been a source of humanity’s best and its worst. A source of inspiration was a reading of Genesis, where God commands Abraham to take his son Isaac to a mountain and then bind and sacrifice him, only to stop him at the last moment. I wondered: What if God didn’t stop him? And: What if the story was told from Isaac’s point of view?

Publisher’s Weekly calls this a “chilling story of cult abuse… Horror readers will be hooked.” This is something of a novel take on “cult abuse”, where the characters come together decades later to relive their shared experiences as adults, and through them, the readers see glimpses of what they endured “at the isolated mountain Red Peak”. In fact, it’s been said that The Children of Red Peak will appeal to fans of novels like Stephen King’s It, which held very much the same premise of reuniting characters as adults after the main “trauma” occurred in their childhoods. What appealed to you about writing www.TopShelfMagazine.net

the darker moments of reliving trauma instead of writing about the trauma of “cult abuse” itself? The Children of Red Peak has two storylines, one following the adult survivors as they cope with what they experienced and eventually find their way back to Red Peak, and the other following them as children as their parents descend into collective madness. So, we get both— the horror of it happening firsthand as well as the trauma experienced afterwards by its survivors. I chose this storytelling path for two reasons. First is, well, truth. I could have told a grisly Charles Manson-style story, which might have been titillating, but I wanted to take the subject seriously, thematically go much deeper, and give the reader a story that would stick with them long after they closed the covers. In my view, good horror holds up a fractured mirror to the human soul. It entertains the reader but also invites him or her to question treasured truths. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of people committing evil for the purest reasons. This idea is fertile ground for horror because of what it says about human nature and the idea of good and evil itself. The other reason has more to do with craft, and it was done for atmosphere and impact on the reader. There is something stirring to the soul about survivors who came through a horrific event together. A pathos in their shared tragic bond. When we see the survivors as children, we see the group as they do, simply and with blind faith in their parents. This storyline eventually escalates to provide the complete account of what we know is coming, providing catharsis. When we see the survivors as adults, we get a mature perspective on what happened to them as children, and the story teases the reader about what will eventually be revealed in the other storyline. This is all craft happening behind the scenes, and the reader won’t be aware of it aside from experiencing much greater tension, a stronger awareness and investment in the mystery that the characters must solve, and a heightened sense of tragedy, of pathos.

How much research did you have to perform before sitting down to write about cult survivors, their shared experiences, and the individual traumas they faced for years into their adult lives? What type of research did this

TOPShelf Interviews include? Was there anything that surprised you doing the research process? I do a lot of research for my fiction. I find it really flavors and helps shape the story. The more grounded and realistic you can make your horror story’s world, the scarier and more believable its horror element will be. Among Red Peak’s survivors, one is an indie musician, another a psychologist, the last a cult exit counselor. In this story, what these people do for a living has a strong relation with who they are, particularly how they cope with what they experienced and in what context they view it. It also provides framing and context for the psychology of cults, belief, and trauma. I did a lot of research to connect these occupations to the story and make them feel lived in and natural to the characters, who become real people on the page. As far as surprises, I think some readers will be surprised by surrendering their preconceived notions about cults. When researching The Children of Red Peak, I did some research of actual cults but focused most of my effort on exploring the psychology of cults: the techniques they use to control people, why people join them, and how to escape them. There are thousands of groups with new religious ideas, different from more zealous forms of traditional religion only in these ideas deviating from what most people would consider “normal.” What makes a cult a cult is whether the group uses various manipulation techniques and in their level of harm. Thousands of people join these organizations not to suffer harm, but to find love, meaning, and the security of a simple belief system that ascribes meaning to and makes sense of a chaotic world. Unfortunately, many of them are systematically exploited and harmed in the process. The cognitive conditioning is sophisticated, akin to military training, and it often involves being stripped of one’s identity and utter dependence on a group and its leader. Once somebody is in a cult, it is extremely hard to get out, and they often struggle afterwards if they leave. Read the complete interview with Craig DiLouie at:

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, LIZ BUTCHER First and foremost, Liz, congratulations on the release of your second novel, LeRoux Manor, which launched this past September. What was the best part of releasing your newest book? Any low points? Did anything surprise you? Thank you so much! I think the best part is just seeing it out there. I love seeing people enjoy it. The only real low point for me was the formatting processâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I get so frustrated with it! Especially when things are working the way theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to, but fortunately I have a very patient hubby to help me out.

LeRoux Manor has been hailed as “…a wellwritten gothic horror story for young readers… with… a shocking final chapter [that] will leave readers reeling” (Book Sirens) and a work by “an obviously gifted artist who knows how to blend human drama with horror” (Grady Harp, Amazon Top 50 Reviewer). What inspired you to write this chilling tale set in the old LeRoux manor within present-day England? I’ve always wanted to set story within a really old building, but Australia is just too young a country. When I was looking into some of the old manors and estates in England, I knew it was the perfect place. Also I think the weather there is very atmospheric, especially for a horror novel.

You are an Australian author, and the entirety of LeRoux Manor takes place in the fictional town of Woodville, England. Despite creating a town and the entirety of its rich and chilling history, this is still a setting that may have seemed foreign to you as the author upon setting out to write this novel. How much research did you perform before feeling confident in your ability to write this novel in a country other than your own? Did you find anything surprising? Did anything in particular spark even more inspiration for the storyline? Honestly, it was hard to not get caught up in research, because the old buildings are so mysterious and beautiful! I wanted to make sure I was familiar with their general layouts and the scope of the old estates so that I could create mine accurately. I also realized after I started writing it, that the school year is set up differently in England than it is here in Australia. So that required a little reworking!

Your published works to date consist of one collection of Horror short stories, After Dark; one adult Dark Mythological Fantasy novel, Fates’ Fury; and now your latest YA Horror novel, LeRoux Manor. While these are all categorized under the umbrella of the Horror genre, there is a vast array of different subgenre elements specific to each. Which of these was your favorite to write? You’re right, they are so different, it’s hard to pick a favorite! I think I’d lean towards www.TopShelfMagazine.net

Fates’ Fury because of the amount of mythology involved and I loved interweaving horror with that.

Do any genres of your currently published works come easier to you when it’s time to sit down and write? If so, why? I’m fortunate in that my stories and ideas flow smoothly for the most part. I’m a massive plotter, which I think really helps me in this process. I find I’m less likely to stumble or develop writer’s block if I have the majority of the story planned out.

What inspired the general plot line of LeRoux Manor? I wanted to write a haunted mansion story, but I also wanted to try and create something a little different. Something more than ghosts and scares. So without giving anything away, LeRoux Manor isn’t quite what you expect when you first start reading it.

What do you hope readers take away after reading your newest YA Horror novel? I hope they take away a sense of satisfaction that they’ve read something a little different and that the ending wasn’t what they’d anticipated.

Tell us about what you’re working on now and what you’re most excited about with your newest project in the works. I’m gearing up to release my next book, Never, Never which is a modern take on the Peter Pan classic. Only Wendy Darling is now an adult and a detective haunted by

TOPShelf Interviews her teenage abduction, working the case of a local missing girl. She fears the predatory Pan has returned, and is determined to stop him. I’m also writing the first book in a series about a woman named Luna Zimmer who’s about to embark on a new journey as a paranormal investigator as she hunts for the truth about what happened to her family—and why she is the way she is. Finally, I’m in the plotting stages for a dark fantasy called Sunrise.

You were formerly the Executive Assistant at The Horror Tree, a mainstream resource for authors of dark fiction and specifically the Horror genre. Did you learn anything in this role that had an impact on your own writing in the Horror genre? It was great to connect with other authors and learn about their own processes and writing journeys. I think the biggest thing I learned was just how diverse the horror genre is.

For our aspiring authors out there, what would you say are the three most important things every good Horror novel must have, whether it’s adult, YA, or blended with a mix of Fantasy and Mythology? There must be suspense, an emotional lead up to any event in order to impact the reader. There needs to be a strong storyline, so that the reader will follow the characters through these events, and for me, I love a good twist! Read the complete interview with Liz Butcher at:

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November 2020 17

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BEST SELLING AUTHOR, MJ PRESTON First, thank you so much for joining us here at TopShelf for this exclusive interview. In February this year, you celebrated the release of Four, the second novel in your acclaimed The Highwayman series. After readers devoured Book 1, Highwayman, in this blended Horror-Crime Thriller series in 2019, you didn't keep them waiting long for what turned out to be an inspired and successful second installment. How was the release of Four different than any of your previous releases, if at all? Did anything surprise you about this release? 18

The novel Four was started before its predecessor, Highwayman. Back in 2015, I was working on two potential novels, Four and Acadia Event. Having just gotten back from the north, the arctic landscape still fresh in my mind, the novel Acadia Event took priority. I had just come back from an eight-week adventure running the world's longest ice road. I needed to capture that magic while it was still fresh in my mind. So Four got shelved. Before that time, I thought it would be my third novel. Highwayman was only supposed to be a promotional giveaway, but after I got through the first draft of that somewhat bloated novella, I knew it was going to have to be a novel. As a result, Four got shelved again. It was probably the best thing that could have happened because this led me to work on it as a piece of a much larger project. That shift and refocus changed the original storyline in Four, along with spawning and migrating a large cast of interesting new characters. The release of Four in a short time after Highwayman was a bit of sadomasochism on my part. I felt I needed to get the book out there. I put myself on a self-imposed deadline. I had a couple of reasons, and the first might sound patronizing, but I owed that much to the readers kind enough to support my craft and buy Highwayman. My readers are important to me; they are the whole reason I do this. Also, these two books are companions to the same story, making timing important. We live in a binge world. People don't like waiting, so I did my best to accommodate that. The experience was a marathon, I shut down all social media, got up sometimes at 4 AM, and I wrote every day. I lived, breathed, and ate Four, and even in the madness of that self-inflicted deadline, it was an enjoyable book to write. The release of FOUR was different than previous publications because I was getting messages about Highwayman. People were saying that they enjoyed Highwayman and were asking when the second book would be out. When you write a standalone novel, people aren't asking, "What is Lance going to do next? Will Lonnie Perkins be back? What happened to Halsey's wife? Who are 'the four?'" It surprised me, even scared me a little. The feedback so far has been great, and that is pretty cool in my book.

Readers have hailed Four as "…straight from the gut…" (Amazon Reviewer), "…a chilling, heart-pounding, and thrilling conclusion to the www.TopShelfMagazine.net

story of the Highwayman killer…" (Book Sirens), "…another exceptionally fine novel by a master story weaver…" (Grady Harp, Amazon Top 50 Reviewer), and the perfect read "…if you're a fan of Stephen King" (Amazon Reviewer). Such high praise rolling in for your latest novel begs the question: Will there be future books in The Highwayman series or any future reappearances of characters in offshoot series? To answer your first question, yes, there is a new Highwayman book in the works now. As long people keep reading, I'll keep the series going. I hope that it will be a very adaptable series with interchanging characters and storylines. I have two or three more books to add, but it's too early to speculate.

What inspired The Highwayman series? Throughout my life, I have had a strange fascination with true crime. Before this series, I wrote two books, which were essentially monster books. The serial killer is the most frightening of all because they are real. In answering your first question, I gave you a thumbnail sketch of how that morphed from a book into a series. Still, from a personal perspective, it came in the form of a bunch of small epiphanies that ended in, "I know, I could do another book with Lonnie Perkins as the lead." Or "What about a book that takes place over five hours?" Something pulse-pounding that doesn't give you a chance to catch your breath. Just go!

How much research did you perform when taking the "playing field" from the United States to Bucharest, Romania through the scope of this series? Never enough is the short answer. I never made it over to Bucharest, but would like to go someday in the future. After the business of travel restrictions between countries becomes a reality again. The alternative was to take my research online and use every available tool at my disposal. There are many things to consider when writing a crime thriller, research is crucial, and even if you think you got everything right, you didn't. There's always somebody out to kick your butt. Beyond Bucharest, the research I did was into 1000's of unlogged hours. Reading everything, watching everything, consulting with true-crime authors, and

TOPShelf Interviews talking to police both online and in bizarre phone calls with the preface, "I'm a writer, and I got a peculiar question for you about how a body is handled when it's been submerged." Other elements in research have included my extensive travel and knowledge of America's interstate and secondary highways. As a long haul trucker, I've been almost everywhere the highwayman has been.

Did you know Highwayman would have a sequel in Four when you wrote the first book of the series? Given how it was written, I think the real question should be, "Did you know FOUR would have a prequel that would turn it into a sequel?" And the answer to that is, No, Four was supposed to be a standalone book? It was a strange way to write a book, but out of that chaos, a series was born, and I'm happy with that

What draws you to writing Crime Thrillers and Horror? Have you always been a fan of the genres? Horror has always attracted me. I remember reading Robert McCammon's book, Mystery Walk, back in the mid-'80s and being blown away not only by the story but the characters. McCammon paints gray into a father who is a Klan member in the south. I was writing lots of shorts at this time and had ambitions of a first novel, thinking that I would always gravitate to the horror genre. But as my reading expanded, I suddenly found myself drawn to crime thrillers and mysteries.

You also have short stories published in multiple anthologies since 2013. What is your favorite thing about writing short stories? Which do you prefer to write: short stories or novels? I usually write short stories when I'm between novel projects. I have always loved the short story, but novels, although timeconsuming, come easier these days. I think my short story abilities were far more imaginative when I was younger, and the gray matter was a little fluid than today. Read the complete interview with MJ Preston at:

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TOPShelf

November 2020 19

"Riveting... Impossible to put down." ~Barbara Monajem, USA Today Bestselling author of the Lady Rosamund Mysteries

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"With a novel approach and unforgettable charm, Kelly Oliver gives us an enticing mystery with unique characters who bring the World War 1 era into sharp focus. Fans of Susan Elia MacNeal will gobble up this series! Highly recommend." ~L.A. Chandler, author of the Art Deco Mysteries

"Take a plucky sleuth, a handsome soldier, a shady stranger, add mystery and a dash of espionage, shake well and you have Betrayal at Ravenswick. Fans of traditional mysteries will root for Fiona Figg as she navigates the treachery of London and a seemingly bucolic English country manor at a time when everything in England was changing." ~Liz Milliron, author ofÂ The Homefront Mysteries

"Betrayal at Ravenswick is a riveting start to Kelly Oliver's World War 1 mystery series. After a devastating divorce, the brilliant but insecure Fiona Figg throws herself heart and soul into espionage, and almost immediately finds herself investigating a murder. Oliver skillfully balances Fiona's wry humor and occasional downright comedy with heartrending reminders of teh appalling casualties of war. Readers will find this story impossible to put down and will eagerly await the sequel." ~Barbara Monajem, USA Today Bestselling author of the Lady Rosamund Mysteries

www.kellyoliverbooks.com

THERE IS A REASON SOME SERIES,

whether as movies or novels or even comic books, are ultra-successful, while others fall flat. Some of it has to do with the protagonist or villain not catching the reader’s heart, while other aspects have to do with the writing style, or even the unimaginative major obstacles facing the characters. But in terms of investment of the reader (or viewer!) a lot of the time, it comes down to the structure. A movie is one thing, but for many people, investing in a novel is just that – an investment of time, energy, and emotion. Readers go on a journey that has highs and lows and an impact on how they view the world. Many people adore reading and will gobble up anything at any time, for any price. Others enjoy it but struggle to find the time to commit to the activity. Our lives are busy, after all. At the end of a book, the readers want to feel like they went somewhere,, and that their energy was well spent. Which is why readers often feel a bit ripped-off, when they come to the end of a book and find no resolution to the plot or characters, and are simply led to a cliff-hanger that www.TopShelfMagazine.net

insists they read the next novel in the series. It feels like a money-grab or a waste of time. They might purchase the next book, but chances are … they won’t. So how do some series avoid this feeling in their readers? How do they keep the reader interested in a longer tale without offending their audience? The best way to do this is to structure each book with a problem that is resolved. That way, the reader feels like the book accomplished something. They feel satisfied at the end of the novel. To keep them interested in the series, or wanting more, well, that has to do with an overarching theme that can be developed – but doesn’t have to be. Let’s examine the original Star Wars trilogy. (No prequels or postquels, please). Luke Skywalker wants to leave home and join the rebellion. By the end of the movie, he has accomplished both those goals. He’s learned a great deal about the Jedi and accomplished what he set out to do. Along the way, he eliminates the threat of the Death Star and rescues a princess. The audience cheers and medals are (rightfully) handed out. No one watching that movie feels that it needs a sequel to understand what has taken place. However, for those who are interested, they can pursue more. There is a thread left over from the first movie, about the threat of the Empire and the destiny of Darth Vader, who is left alive. Nearly everything is concluded, leaving the audience feeling satisfied, but there are natural elements left to be explored for those who desire. In The Hunger Games series, the first book ends on a similar note. Katniss Everdeen has survived the games and returned home to her sister. She has accomplished what she needs to. The thread left over is how will her relationships change based on her actions in the games, and what will happen to Panem in the future. The drift into future books is natural, not artificial. Where a writer can start to play

THE SERIES STRUCTURE by Jenna Greene

Twitter @jgreenewrites | jennagreene.ca

with the cliff-hanger is later in a series. By the second or third book, the readers are invested. They expect more things to go awry for the characters, leaving more lee-way for the plot. In Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, we are left with wondering what will happen to Han Solo. I will point out, however, that there is still a great deal of resolution in this movie. Luke, Leia, and the droids have escaped from Cloud City. A great deal has been learned and the plot has many satisfying outcomes. (With one huge spoiler, of course). But not everything has been left hanging. To leave all elements dangling would be torture to the reader. It’s a delicate balance, to be sure. I’m aware that there are many series that do not follow this rule of “resolve most of the conflict, leave a thread”. There are always exceptions. To be a writer, one must know the rules and, occasionally, break them. That’s what writing is. But to appeal to a wide, mainstream audience, a writer does have to be calculated and careful in what they do. Trends change over time. Would the structure of The Lord of the Rings be as popular today if there were other similar series to compete with? I don’t know. Jenna Greene is the author of the acclaimed Young Adult Fantasy series, Imagine! She is a middle school teacher, dragonboat coach, enthusiastic dancer, and semi-professional napper. She lives in Lethbridge, Alberta with her husband (Scott), daughter (Olivia), and dog (Thor, dog of thunder).

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November 2020 21

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OCTOBER2017 23

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"A spellbinding historical novel." ~Romuald Dzemo, Readers' Favorite

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FINDING MY PLACE IN ROMANCE

WHEN I FIRST STARTED writing, I thought I knew exactly what I was going to write. After ages spent attending writing meetings, reading countless books, writing horrible manuscripts, I finally had a finished and polished paranormal romance that felt like it was “the one.” The one that would open the doors I needed into the traditional publishing career I dreamed about. Well, it opened some doors, but not the ones I expected. That particular book which admittedly was more an urban fantasy romance (there is a difference), did move me up a bit. I finaled in a national contest; I had interest from agents and publishers and even signed with my first agent. But then…nothing. The book didn’t sell. It came close but the story and characters weren’t easily definable. Publishers didn’t know what to with it (ie: how to market it). I was devastated. I’d gone too far to quit. Not that I could have. My writing crew never would have allowed that (note to all writers: this is why you need a great writing crew). Did I still want this? Was this still the dream? Yes. www.TopShelfMagazine.net

The solution? Go back to the beginning, reevaluate, consider. Make a new plan. It had taken me a while to land on paranormal/urban fantasy romance. What else did I have except that book and ideas for sequels? I had my first book. The first book I’d ever written from beginning to end. The book that had been sitting under my bed for, well, let’s just say a while. It was as far from the magical world as you could get: a contemporary romance. With nothing to lose, I ripped it apart, reworked it, and turned it into a light romantic suspense. Along the way I found I liked the contemporary romance genre more than I expected and, thanks to an idea from one of the authors in my crew, I knocked out a short holiday novella that would earn me my first sale with Harlequin. I was in! Shortly after that, the revamped contemporary romance sold to a different publisher and within six months, I was under contract with two publishers for a total of six books. All of that happened between 2012 and 2014. When your dreams come true, it happens fast. Becoming a Harlequin author was always a goal, if not the goal. I’d always been a reader, but Harlequins had me falling in love, literally, with the happily ever after. There is not another genre for me. Romance is it. As a child of the 70’s, I didn’t have the plethora of YA books that exist now. I also had a mother who never once said no to a book. With a used bookstore just down the street from me, I started devouring books by Stephen King by the time I was nine. Under the blankets with a flashlight is where I read Carrie and Christine. Then I discovered Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown, with their suspense elements woven into their romances and the lightbulb exploded. Now, after more than forty published books and novellas (twenty of which with Harlequin), I’m finally beginning to find where I belong. More importantly, where I want to be. It’s not where I expected. As much as I

by Anna J. Stewart Twitter @AJStewartWriter | authorannastewart.com

long to return to those magical worlds I created, every story I come up with now seems to have that thread of suspense, of mystery. Of something darker. But it feels right. It feels like home. As an author of sweet, small-town romance I can tell you that need to include danger isn’t an easy line to walk, but I’m finding ways to do it. Writing for Harlequin’s Romantic Suspense line, along with their sweet Heartwarming line is definitely a way to feed both sides of my writing personality, but the more I’m producing, the more important it is for me to be happy with what I’m writing. The thriller and suspense angle appeals and I’ve learned, along with so many other lessons, to pay attention to those voices in the dark. I’m not one to be pigeon-holed. I’m not one of those authors who will be able to write one type of book. Kudos to those who can do it and there are many who do it well, but I remember what it was like to read books by my favorite authors who wanted to try something different. That’s what I want to do. It’s what I need to do. To always be offering something different and unexpected.

USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for Harlequin’s Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines as well as ARC Manor. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-centric romances with happily ever afters for her independent heroines and the men who love them.

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November 2020 25

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A SPOONFUL OF… COMEDY? by Melinda Curtis

Twitter @MelCurtisAuthor | melindacurtis.com

AH, 2020. YOU CAME INTO MY

life with such promise but quickly pulled the rug right out from under me, kind of like the rom-coms I write. Now, more than ever, the world needs a dose of comedy. As any comic will tell you, comedy is hard to pull off. As any romance writer will tell you, so are romances. In order to achieve that emotionally satisfying romantic ending, you’ve got to create character growth, preferably while creating a tear or two in the reader’s eye and giving them hope for the future. And in case you didn’t realize this – weepy tears are different than LOL-pee-my-pantstears. Which is why rom-coms are so hard to write – authors are juggling two different ends of the emotional spectrum. But now, more than ever, we need hope and laughter, and happily-ever-afters. So how do you add that dose of humor? Take a good long look at what you find humorous and then layer that on top of the expectations of your genre. I tend to find the absurdity of any situation. I am that person who www.TopShelfMagazine.net

breaks down on a dark and deserted road, curses, and then laughs at my bad luck. I write a lot of small town romance, which means characters can be mean but not harsh or politically incorrect or outwardly insulting of any demographic, occupation, group, or…you get the idea. Writing small town rom-com is like putting up the bumpers on a bowling lane. Are there bumpers in your genre? Now, if you’re following my logic, you’ve got an inkling about what you find funny and what works within your genre. If you aren’t sure about either, start taking note of when you laugh and read a few reviews of works that are similar to yours to see what type of humor works. Once you’ve done that, wield your writing craft to put humor into your work. Dialogue. Whether spoken or just in their head, dialogue can be used for stinging one-liners or the classic set-up and payoff. I’ve found that internal dialogue doesn’t slow the pace, but the spoken word can set off a chain reaction of humorous mayhem in a scene. Tropes. Certain tropes or plot hooks can set up humorous situations, especially if you turn the situation into a worst-case scenario. If you’ve watched any Korean Dramas (the term encompasses all shows coming out of Korean TV right now, including their romcoms), you’ll know that they’re heavy on the trope-load. In my contribution to Thankfully in Love, I use a chef putting on a Thanksgiving meal for a potential restaurant investor, plus I added a power outage, a jilted bride, and a talking dog that not everyone

hears. In A Very Merry Match, I use a kindergarten teacher who’s lost her Christmas spirit because her dead husband left her in debt to an internet gambling casino. Said casino has sent two thugs to her small town to collect. Notice in both books I’ve included an element that might not belong in the mix – loan sharks in a small town, a talking dog. Surprising elements or turning tropes upside down (i.e., reverse Cinderella) make me laugh and give my writing energy. That may not be your jam. That’s okay. You do you. Pacing. Be true to the genre you’re writing in. You can write an entire book of funny dialogue and scenes without delivering on the reason someone buys into your work. If it’s vampires they’re looking for, make sure you weave in enough fangs and bloodletting. If it’s a contemporary rom-com, make sure you’ve spent enough time helping the main character grow and fall in love. There are many other ways to add humor to your writing. But whatever your comedic jam, let me say again – in 2020, we need a dose of comedy more than ever! Melinda Curtis is the USA Today bestselling author of light‐hearted contemporary romance. In addition to her Sunshine Valley series from Forever, she’s published independently and with Harlequin Heartwarming, including her book Dandelion Wishes, which was made into a TV movie - Love in Harmony Valley, starring Amber Marshall.

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November 2020 27

"This highly readable, triumphant tale deserves a place on any music lover's and book lover's shelf." ~Hillary Daninhirsch, Foreword Reviews

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"Nanci Lee Woody's writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing page. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen."

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To listen to the novel's music:Â bit.ly/3cdVt7p

~READER'S FAVORITE

www.nancileewoody.com

TOPShelf Reviews

Horror

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Self-Help

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Women’s

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$16.99

A STORY OF SCANDAL AND WILL HAVE YOU SLEEPING WITH IMMENSELY DEEP AND FAMILY SECRETS… THE LIGHTS ON… NOT FOR THE SATISFYING READ…HIT HOME ON SO MANY LEVELS!! A Palm Beach Scandal by Susannah Marren is an FAINT OF HEART! I was immediately invested in “The Lurking Collection”!! It was a fast paced page-turner from the moment I picked it up. All of the 3 short stories were unique and thrilling. Things that will have you sleeping with the lights on for a little while… This is not for the faint of heart! There are what some would consider disturbing or shocking scenes!! The ending in the third story had me shaking my head. I did wish there there were a few more stories or that the three stories were furthered a bit more. But it actually left me thinking about what happened after “the end”. If you are looking for a collection of short stories that will keep you reading, I would definitely recommend you grab your copy of The Lurking Collection by Jaidis Shaw. ~Serena Soape, TopShelf Reviews

Overcoming was an immensely deep and satisfying read. It showcases several stories including the author’s - to inspire others to push through their own struggles with the information on what helped each individual highlighted in the book. It's relatable to everyone, even if your struggles aren't the same and I was impressed with the “retrospection" at the end of each story. Each story highlights an outstanding tenacity and resilience that is inspiring and motivating, as well as how the person got through their struggle - so that the reader can build their own toolbox. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author’s story was my favorite! ~Jenn Taylor, TopShelf Review

interesting, thought provoking, and fun novel to read. It will literally stop you in your tracks and make you think. Like me, you may have heard of surrogacy and thought it was a great way for a couple to have children when it was impossible for them to become pregnant. This book introduced some of the many feelings and problems that can arise within a family. This story is about two sisters. The younger sister Aubrey agrees to help her older sister Elodie have a baby by being her surrogate. This is the beginning of the scandal. A lot of things happen and they become the ongoing subject of gossip in Palm Beach. You will enjoy the characters. The author's development is superb. She makes sure you understand the feelings of each of the characters and how they feel about the sister's choice. I felt compelled to spend some time thinking about their situations and how I would have handled them. That doesn't happen often. This book is a bit deeper than you might think. This is the second book in the series with the first one being A Palm Beach Wife. I felt that the story ended rather abruptly. If it ends there, I can live with that. I am hoping there might be a third book to finish out the story. I am keeping my fingers crossed because there is so much more this nosey reviewer wants to know! ~Phyllis Pisanelli, TopShelf Review

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November 2020

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"A cross between the supernatural shockers of Steven King and the political and corporate intrigue of modern television shows like Sucession and Billions" ~VERIFIED AMAZON REVIEW

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Mystery

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$13.99

REMINDED ME OF THE OLDTIME DETECTIVE STORIES I READ MANY YEARS AGO!! Dick Snyder has written many stories about these characters through short stories and full-length novels. Most notably, he is known to keep you guessing about the outcome until the very last page. This one is no different. What you think you know, you don't. When headless bodies start showing up in conjunction with the special retro film noire movies playing in the local theater, Jonas Kirk and Chester Devlin are on the case, and they think there is a connection. What message is the killer trying to send? This was the first of this author's books for me, and while you could read this book as a standalone, I still would have benefitted from knowing the background leading up to this one. Still, I was drawn into the story and enjoyed the twists and turns leading up to the ending. It definitely reminded me of the old-time detective stories I read and enjoyed many years ago. ~Linda Keenan, TopShelf Reviews

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November 2020 31

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"Readers of inspirational fiction will love this moving story that affirms the power of God’s mercy." —Publisher’s Weekly

“…uplifting and compelling…a powerful and inspiring novel.” —Foreword Clarion Reviews

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Thriller

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Terrorism

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Satire

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A MASTERFULLY WRITTEN THRILLERâ&#x20AC;ŚDOES NOT DISAPPOINT!

IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE ABOUT THE BOSTON BOMBINGS, READ THIS!

A SUPERBLY-WRITTEN MEMOIR! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

An incredibly competent, likable, yet flawed character, and an intricate engulfing plot that is easy to understand: what's not to like? Otho Eskin has produced a tense and entertaining thriller. Like any excellent crime novel, persona plays a considerable role in the success of this story, and Marko Zom is mere brilliance. He doesn't care who he upsets in his need to find a killer. Zorn is a detective for the Washington DC Metropolitan Police and, his current investigation is proving to be quite challenging, frustrating, and extremely dangerous. But Zorn has extravagant tastes that a police department paycheck alone could never fulfill. So he supplements with income that doesn't always fall in step with his job. Otho Eskin's The Reflecting Pool does NOT disappoint, almost propelling the pages forward as you tirelessly read through the night. A masterfully written thriller.

If you think you know the story of the Boston Marathon bombing, think again. Utilizing public facts, veteran investigative journalist Michele McPhee digs deep to unravel the complexities that led to that fateful event on April 15th, 2013. She tells the history of the Tsarnaev brothers, beginning with the immigration of their family from a small village outside the District of Dagestan, to a cramped apartment in Cambridge. McPhee uncovers how Dzhokhar's older brother, Tamerlan was utilized by the FBI as an informant to spy on radical separatists here and in Chechnya, with promises of citizenship. Despite being on two separate terrorist watch list by the end of January 2012, Tamerlan was able to leave the United States for Russia, and return six months later without question. McPhee tells how broken promises led to the growing radicalism and hatred towards America. Maximum Harm is diligently researched, leaving no stone uncovered. McPhee's careful examination of the events and the personal lives of the Tsarnaev brothers is chilling. Her description of the bombing, as well as the testimony she includes from the victims, is heartbreaking and haunting. If you read nothing else on the Boston Marathon bombing, read this!

Ridicula was an entertaining read! With several unique and fun stories that are seemingly separate, they end up coming together in a crazy, wild ride! A really upbeat, entertaining book that is throughly enjoyable!

~Bobby Jo Calder, TopShelf Reviews

~Jenn Taylor, TopShelf Review

~Kris Miller, TopShelf Review

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November 2020

TOPShelf Spotlights What WATER FOR ELEPHANTS was to the circus, TEMPTATION RAG is to ragtime "Bernard's resonant novel . . . about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . is a lively tale in which romance and creative passions abound."—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "Author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard captures the ragtime era. Music, art and culture spring from every page of this delightfully artistic work."—READERS' FAVORITE (5-star review)

They have awoken as far away from home as it ever gets: Laura and Jason Sinclair did not want to be transported from Earth, but their alien hosts have plans to take them even further beyond their comfort zone. If you like Close Encounters, Contact, and Arrival, then you’ll love Amidst Alien Stars, the standalone second novel of a gripping new alien interaction series from Clayton Graham.

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On May 8, 1945, WWII in Europe ended with Germany’s surrender. But did the Nazi Party itself surrender? Some say no.1943: A German ship moors in a clandestine anchorage in western Mexico with a cargo of gold intended to bribe the Mexican government into declaring war on the United States….

Fifty years ago this year, six friends and I were determined to get away from the predictable, miserable summer weather in Great Britain. We wanted to venture further for our holidays, traveling to a country where we were guaranteed blue sky, endless sunny days, warm nights, golden sand, Azure crystal waters, bikini clad bronze bodies, and ice-cold beers...To commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime holiday I have recounted our experiences from a journal written as we drove through the heart of France and Spain in 1969.

Inspired by true historical events, and recent research suggesting the Nazi Party survived the German surrender.

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April 1865. Richmond, Virginia. Two trains. One treasure. And a question worth millions.

Somebody has to do something. One of the worlds top male skaters is in danger. He will be dead before the end of the Olympics. If you cant stop it, at least find out why it happened. For once, tell the real story. Brody Yates has fallen on hard times. Fired from his job as a sports reporter for a major newspaper, he decides to go undercover as a trainer in order to infiltrate the backstage world of figure skating…

As the US Civil War was drawing to a close, and Grant was about to take Richmond, two trains left the city in the dark of night. One carried Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. The other carried the Confederate Treasury guarded by a young midshipman from the CSA Navy. A few weeks later, Davis was captured by Federal troops near Irwinville, Georgia, and the treasure…was gone. http://tsmag.co/Gold

Connect to the alien journey that will change your life…

In this non-stop thriller, only one person can win. Not everyone will survive. http://tsmag.co/Chosen

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~Amazon Reviews Reviews ~Amazon

"...the book I wish I would or could have written." ~Thomas Olsen, Olsen, PhD PhD (Clinical (Clinical Psychologist) Psychologist) ~Thomas

"Great read. Plenty of useful skills and a great resource for understanding why they work." ~Jon Ahern, Ahern, PhD PhD (Clinical (Clinical Psychologist) Psychologist) ~Jon

Integrating the best of eastern philosophy and western science, psychologist Bryan Bushman provides easy-to-remember steps to help people overcome emotional and physical pain and develop a more balanced approach to living. The perfect book for the treatment of depression, anxiety, chronic illness, emotional trauma, relationship problems or addictive behaviors. 'One of the best self-help books I've ever read' and "Perfect for those who aren't usually fans of self-help books," per reader reviews. Find it on Amazon (Kindle price $3.99), Barns and Noble.com (Nook price $4.99) and Ingram. Read the first two chapters for free at www.drbryanbushman.com.

Thriller

Hardcover

$27.99

ELOQUENTLY WRITTEN… MESMERIZING STORY

Grady Harp is an Amazon Top 50 Reviewer and has collaborated with Creative Edge Media to provide quality book reviews. Creative Edge is a publicity firm specializing in arranging events such as book signings, library or school presentations, online and print media opportunities, and many other related events.

‘Lead ins’ – that magical moment that opens a fresh book with a few sentences that magnetizes the readers attention – are a learn through experience skill that is certainly one of Hank Phillippi Ryan’s polished tools, as she displays as this novel begins: ‘Without any sneaky fine print and knowing everything you know, if you could start your adult life over as someone else, would you do it? Say you could choose the person. Where they live and what they do. You could choose what parts of your prior knowledge to retain, and what parts to “forget.” Family baggage? Discard it. Friends and lovers and commitments? Erased, along with your vanished past. Obsessions? Obsessions could stay.’ Providing that degree of one on one involvement between the storyteller and the reader pries open yet another excellent mystery novel from Hank. Read one of Hank Phillippi Ryan’s novels and an addiction ensues. Not only is the prose eloquently written, but also the author’s ability to maintain suspense throughout this mesmerizing story makes this a completely satisfying journey into legalese and psychological confrontations. She ranks in the top tier of contemporary mystery authors. Highly Recommended. ~Grady Harp

Fantasy

Paperback

$18.99

ADDICTIVE AND THROUGHLY SATISFYING…VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Sci-Fi

Paperback

$14.99

PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN REALITY AND FANTASY!

The atmosphere surrounding Holmes’ saga is mesmerizing, enhancing the credibility of this fantasy tale. And that quality – related in eloquent and imaginative prose – suffuses every aspect of this installment. Holmes’s players grow in stature here, a cast of characters who have become credible even in their fantasy imposed origins. Continuing her polished style of composition, Holmes opens with a calendar image from this ‘other place and time’ and maps of the fantasy worlds, as she beckons us to enter this volume with her rich prose: ‘The fourth night on the trail, wolves circled the tens. At the camp’s edge, where cookfire burned, they crept even closer. Rih leaned over, peering past the licking flames at the bright eyes blinking at the edge of the firelight. Already the weather was colder, the air carrying teeth as sharp as those glinting several paces away. “You’d think they’d be frightened, with this many people,” she signed to the woman beside her…’ Following this fantasy experience is addictive and thoroughly satisfying. The thunder grows more loud and the passion more rich with each novel. Very highly recommended.

The Fountain is a series and it is rewarding to know that Suzy maintains the same atmosphere and place for the third installment – the boarding school of St. Augustus, with the nearby woods and paranormal fountain continue to play a prominent role. The tension persists as this volume opens with Ava’s thoughts: “I dragged my hand along the cold stone of the St. Augustus hallway. The walls held secrets. Secrets I’d unleashed with my own selfishness. I’d made a careless wish that I’d carry with me forever. My hand shook as it trailed behind me. I wish that St. Augustus had never heard of Courtney or her family. The wish I’d made in the fall was never far from my thoughts. It colored every day I was here and I wanted to be free of it. My stomach churned. The feeling had followed me home at Christmas break. Or, at least to the home of my new reality…Who would I be if I’d never found the fountain. The question haunted me…’ In that fine brief moment the mood of the series is set well. The perfect balance between reality and fantasy and the mystery that overshadows the book is very well balanced with the plot, making this book as successful as the initial volumes in this excellent series. Suzy Vadori continues to impress, and her Young Adult audience grows!

~Grady Harp

www.TopShelfMagazine.net

Teen & YA

Paperback

$15.00

BLENDS HUMAN DRAMA WITH HORROR SEAMLESSLY…VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Written for the teen and Young Adult audience, Liz manages to grasp the readers attention with a telling Prologue that offers the nidus for the strange tale, from another time, that follows – ‘Mena sat on the soft on the soft green grass, shaded by the old oak tree against which she rested. The long skirt of her sky blue, satin party dress – now ruined – billowed out around her. A smile danced across her face as she stroked the cat in her lap…Raising her hand, she pressed her thumb to her finger, marveling at the stickiness of the blood…’ and slowly her father comes in to the picture and Mena’s end is imminent. The presence of Mena’s death, as suggested above, is made clear as the strange and very dark story proceeds. ‘Camille LeRoux stared out the window of their hired car and stifled a yawn. After the past twenty-four hours of traveling, they were almost there – their new home. her father drove them down the main street of Woodville, and Camille scanned the different shop names, catching glimpses of signs and storefront windows...She could seen enough to determine there wasn’t a single franchise on the whole street – no Zarraffas Coffee, no Dymocks Books, none of her favourite clothing stores.’ Entry into this new locale is accompanied by a series of very strange discoveries and events. As with her other stories Liz impresses as an obviously gifted artist who knows how to blend human drama with horror. Very highly recommended. ~Grady Harp

TOPShelf

November 2020

TOPShelf Spotlights I used to be an itinerant Star Ship Captain. Then the Sentient Ships blackmailed me into helping them Emancipate from the Mercantile Empire in return for keeping the intelligence level of my personal AI a secret. I'm taking on bankers, lawyers and accountants, oh my! And a couple of serial killers, just to keep it spicy. I've got a plan, a crew and a deadline. Now I just need precise execution, a little luck and a whole lot of moxy to pull this off! Note: this book contains adult content and situations.

This second Tony Harrington mystery-thriller by Joseph LeValley draws on today's heart-wrenching headlines regarding the pervasiveness and unspeakable evil of human trafficking.

http://tsmag.co/Calla

http://tsmag.co/Cry

An interdisciplinary exploration of utopian political philosophy from the neglected perspective of taxation.

A late-night cry for help from a teenage girl puts Tony Harrington and his colleagues at a smalltown newspaper onto the trail of a ring of human traffickers. The girl's description of the horrors she and others have endured fuels the determination of Tony and fellow journalist Madeline Mueller to find and stop the wicked people who are enslaving and abusing children.

Taxation in Utopia explores utopian political philosophy from the neglected perspective of taxation. At its core, taxation is an ethical question. It requires people to sacrifice for the benefit of others, whether or not they also benefit themselves. Donald Morris refers to this broader, non-monetary context as constructive taxationâ&#x20AC;Ś

It seemed that Amanda was always in competition with Sandy. To make matters worse, Sandy was her best friend. Just once, Amanda would like to take first place to Sandy for something, anything! The new school year had just started and Amanda had a new teacher, Miss Turner. This was Miss Turner's first year of teaching, so she didn't know anything about her class; she didn't know that Sandy always won everything! Maybe this could be the year that Amanda finally won something!

http://tsmag.co/Taxation

http://tsmag.co/LetMe

Abandoned and left at a local shelter, a Maine Coon kitten awaits an uncertain fate. During his stay, Khan befriends a wise old tomcat, who speaks about his experiences of life on the streets, bringing comfort to the frightened kitten. Four days later, to Khan's horror, the shelter workers take his friend away to the Big Sleep, as the tomcat called it, leaving Khan scared and alone. Just before Khan's time is up, a man enters the shelter and adopts Khan, bringing him to a new homeâ&#x20AC;Ś

Escape into the golden days of Renaissance Italy with this heartwarming new saga by awardwinning author Eleanor Chance.

http://tsmag.co/khan

http://tsmag.co/Brilliance

Celeste Gabriele, an impoverished nanny in Renaissance Venice must risk losing all she holds dear, maybe even her life, to pursue her passion of becoming a master painter and win the heart of the nobleman she loves.

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"...reminded me of the old-time detective stories.. I was drawn in and enjoyed the twists and turns leading up to the ending..." ~Linda Keenan, TopShelf Reviews

Betrayal at Ravenswick Full Page Ad

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TOPShelf magazine

OCTOBER2017 39

TOPShelf Spotlights D

From the moment Thunder took his first step, it was clear that his footsteps would make quite an impression on the world around him. From the moment Thunder took his first step, it was clear that his footsteps would make quite an impression on the world around him.

http://tsmag.co/Thunder

Upstate New York, 2012. Emily Stanton, a sociology major, graduates from college and is obligated to work for the mysterious company that funded her education. But a job with Evergreen Research Corporation is not what she expected. From fancy balls and operas to corsets and kid gloves, Emily learns to be a specialist in 1910 society. In the process, she finds herself fully immersed in the lives of wealthy aristocrats and industry leaders, whose thirst for power leads them to manipulate everything, including time. https://amzn.to/3atHBol

In a section of Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium, two rival gangs rule the streets. For the Alvarado Street Diablos, it's been a year since the murder of one of their closest members at the hands of their sworn enemy, the North Rampart Lobos. A drive-by killing in his honor is planned, but things go wrong and an innocent bystander is the victim. Several hours later the one who pulled the trigger suffers a horrifying death. Many more cases follow… And each death occurs at the same time of day.

In 1912, four men, calling themselves the “Overland Westerners,” decided fame and fortune awaited if they embarked on the longest horseback ride in history. Their goal was to visit all forty-eight state capitals over the course of three years and complete their journey at the San Francisco World’s Fair on June 1, 1915. Facing rugged roads, raging rivers, thieves and near starvation, the men went through seventeen horses. Only one horse completed the entire journey… Pinto, a little horse with a heart as big as the whole country

https://amzn.to/3dG6E9T

https://tsmag.co/Pinto

While Forrest goes to college, While Forrest goes to college, quick witted Annet works at the Keizer Manor, the museum where the oils from 19th century master painter Alexander Keizer are exhibited. After a fight, the couple strolls through the dunes to make up. When dark clouds roll in, the beautiful sunny weather turns into a thunderstorm so violent that they get separated. The next morning, Forrest finds himself alone. So does Annet. Regaining consciousness in a monastery, Annet is convinced the nuns are playing a prank on her. It can't be the 1800’s!

https://amzn.to/2UvT7Kc

An Unforgettable Time Travel Adventure

According to the Wall Street Journal, teachers are leaving their positions in greater numbers than ever before. Truth: educators do not commit their passion to teach believing untold wealth awaits them. The purposely concealed story: national teacher shortage is due to a dominating hostile work environment, created by the people educators serve. Who better to empower students, parents, teachers and administrators than Paula Baack. With her 46 year career Ms. Baack will not only illuminate today's issues in education but she will also provide real solutions. https://amzn.to/39wt5uS

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ISBN: 978-1950282968

~Amazon Review

~Kirkus Reviews

~Amazon Review

www.LapidChildrensBooks.com www.danmcwhorter.com

TOPShelf Spotlights Margi calls in with a surprise for the Mary and Eddie for their joint birthday and anniversary. A very humorous start to the story with Mary, Eddie and Margi swapping stories and banter, which shows their ability to both give and take a bit and also their undeniable love for each other. Margi’s surprise for them is a cruise for the elderly, a twilight cruise. Once they board the ship Mary’s world turns upside down…

http://tsmag.co/ColtHarper

Available November 1, 2020 http://tsmag.co/Fred

The international bestselling action-thriller introduced us to former US Special Forces Sgt. John Bishop, his Spec Ops team, and John’s crime boss uncle, Gonzalo Valdez, as they united to take on terrorists, contract killers, a psychotic billionaire, and Afghan warlords. In the eagerly anticipated sequel, Bishop’s Law, the nonstop action continues with Bishop and his team battling against ISIS terror cells, a family of Pakistani assassins, and the Russian mob. Hang on for an action-packed and suspensefilled thrill ride! Once again—not for the faint-hearted. http://tsmag.co/BishopsLaw

Against an international landscape of power, affluence, and fear Truth Gives Strength to Wings, the creative memoir by child sex abuse prevention advocate, Katy Sudano, breathes life into the tormented soul of a young woman who defied the odds and defined what it means to dig deep for strength, passion, and love of life. Katy's refusal to allow the abuse of her past interfere with an insatiable desire to find happiness, and break the vicious cycle of abandonment that had destroyed nearly her entire world, is a testament to her extraordinary determination. https://tsmag.co/Truth

A lady with a dark secret refuses to marry the man of her dreams in order to protect him... but will he let her?After returning to London from his Grand Tour, seriousminded Jeremy St. Clair, the Marquess of Sather, attends a ball and meets a luminescent beauty who draws him out of his shell. They share a searing kiss—her first —and though he never planned to wed, Jeremy desires to make this young woman his. But his life takes an unexpected turn when he leaves her that night.

Cooper Cruz knows what it means to be surrounded and bound by family. Loyalty, brotherhood, and protection are all learned, earned, and respected by him and the Ravage Motorcycle Club family he grew up in. At the same, he’s a man, having fun and living the life he has always envisioned, until a trip to Florida changes everything. Bristyl Daniels knows what it means to be smothered and bound by family. Bonds run deep with her father and all the members of the Sinister Sons Motorcycle Club she has grown up in. But now she’s all woman and wishes they would see she isn’t a little girl anymore.

https://tsmag.co/DevotedtotheDuke

http://tsmag.co/Bound

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"A Southern Story High On Suspense." ~Readers' Favorite

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"Well written and well thought out." ~Amazon

"Sucks you in and keeps you to the end... Wonderfully creepy." ~Amazon

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www.billthompsonbooks.com

TOPShelf Spotlights In three intertwining chronicles blended into one fast-paced journey, a beautiful freethinking but troubled pharmaceutical representative, Darcy Farthing, spins a tale of murder and madness aboard a cruise ship, reveals her own devastating but enlightening personal crisis, and offers tidbits of history and geography from her travel log of exotic South American seaports, Through a series of unlikely coincidences, Darcy meets Mick…

http://tsmag.co/CDD

A premature burial—the search for a monster...In the midst of the Me Too movement, a serial killer is hunting in the hills of Hollywood. His latest victim thwarted him by poking her fingers out of a makeshift grave, leading to the discovery of twelve more bodies.Now LAPD Detective Angela Cartwright and BAU profiler Liam Morris are chasing the escalating psychopath, but he has set his sights on the attractive female detective who threatens to end his reign of terror. Will a force from beyond the grave help Angela escape his grasp... or will she become yet another victim?

The Secrets of Hawthorne House is the story of an unlikely friendship, the clash of two radically different cultures, hidden magic, and a search for the lost Hawthorne treasure.

https://tsmag.co/secretsofhawthornehouse

Matchbox Dreams is a collection of short stories developed to be read by an adult or older sibling to a child between the ages of 3 and 12 years old before a nap or bedtime. Many of the stories will simultaneously be informative and entertaining for both children and readers. Woven into the stories are examples of good behavior, positive character traits and other messages that will reinforce children to be honest and respectful of others.Through our stories, we hope to give your child a head-start on what to dream about. All they have to do is lie down and continue the adventure in their dreams.

http://tsmag.co/MMT

http://tsmag.co/matchbox

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, a man and a woman fell in love. They were very happy. Until one day they weren’t – their happily ever after disappeared.This is their story.SummerHave you ever been in love?The kind of love that leaves you breathless and makes you feel like you can fly? I have…. It was the biggest mistake of my life. I let him become my everything; my sun, moon and stars but that wasn’t enough for him.What he did nearly destroyed me.My husband’s betrayal taught me the hard way that once trust is gone, it can never be regained.

Seven of our country’s most gifted teens will become Nobels, hosts for the implantation of brilliant Mentor minds, in an effort to accelerate human progress. But as the line between what’s possible and what’s right, draws ever blurrier, the teens discover everything has a cost. Scientists have created an evolved form of living known as Merged Consciousness, and 16-year-old Lake finds herself unable to merge with her Mentor.

http://tsmag.co/Life

Fifteen-year-old Matt Mitchell was having the worst summer imaginable. His misery started when his mother died in a senseless car accident. Unable to remain in the family's memoryfilled seaside cottage, Matt's grieving father moved Matt and his twin sister as far as possible from the ocean they loved.

http://tsmag.co/Merged

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"An Exceptional Story That Derives Its Frights From Both Supernatural and Corporeal Aspects." ~Kirkus Review

www.billthompsonbooks.com

Australian author, Victoria Capper, takes us on a magnificent journey across the outback, giving the feeling of actually being there. ISBN: 978-1925271492

ISBN: 978-1925962055

ISBN: 978-1925962062

TopShelf - November 2020

Articles inside

MJ PRESTON

KIMBERLY HOWE

CRAIG DILOUIE

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN

LIZ BUTCHER