Showing posts with label Spotlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spotlight. Show all posts

9.12.2023

Spotlight ~ The Time Patriot - Hail Mary Pass with Author Q & A and Excerpt

Today, I'm spotlighting Episode 1 from The Time Patriot. Hail Mary Pass 


About the Book
:

A Hail Mary Pass - that's what the President of the United States called it.
What are the chances Marc McKnight's time travel team can convince George Washington to
leave his home and travel with them to the year 2037?

Another bloody civil war is imminent in the United States. Political parties are hopelessly divided
and fanning the embers of war. Can the war be prevented if George Washington tells modern
America what the Founding Fathers were trying to achieve?

A Hail Mary Pass. 

A long shot. 

But it's worth a try.

About the Author:

Kim Megahee is a writer, a musician, and a retired IT consultant. His background includes playing in rock bands, teaching high school, and having experience in computer programming,
security, and consulting.

He lives in Gainesville, Georgia, with his soulmate wife Martha and Leo, an incredibly smart and stubborn red-headed toy poodle. In addition to writing, he enjoys reading, playing live music,
and socializing with friends.

Website: https://www.authorkimmegahee.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.kmega

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3OdX8xE

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65138146-the-time-patriot



Excerpt from Chapter Five of
The Time Patriot: Episode 1 – Hail Mary Pass

Before Washington could speak, McKnight and Tyler stepped out of the trees with their sidearms in their hands.

The robbers turned to them as McKnight spoke.

“Release him or you’ll answer to us. This gentleman is our companion and under our protection.”

The robbers spread out and raised their rifles.

“Just the two of you, then?” the leader said. “Not very good odds.”

McKnight whistled, and the rest of the team stepped out of the bushes, weapons trained on the robbers. “I won’t ask again. Lay down your weapons if you want to live.”


The bandits laid down their weapons, but the one named Sam drew a knife, leaped toward Washington, and held the blade to his throat. 


“I think you are the ones who should lie down your weapons. Else, I’ll slice your benefactor’s throat. Your choice.”

McKnight didn’t blink. 

“Hatcher?” he said.

“No shot, sir, I’ll hit the General.”

“Cutty?” 

“I have him, sir. Say the word and I’ll blow his head off.”

“Wait, now wait!” David cried out and stepped forward with his hands out. 

“Hold, Sam!” he said, and pointed at Washington. “Did you call him General? Who is he?” 

Tyler spoke. “That’s General Washington. Did you fight with him during the war?”

Sam stepped away from Washington and dropped his knife.  

“I did,” he said. “I’m sorry, sir.”

The other robbers hung their heads. 

“We all did, sir,” David said, dropping Washington’s sword. “We wouldn’t have attacked if we’d known it was you, sir. We’d sooner starve than hurt you.” 

Several of the others nodded.

Hatcher bounded over and cut the ropes that bound Washington and Lee to the tree, then went to secure the horses.


The general shrugged off the rope fragments, rubbed his wrists and, after a long look at Hatcher, he approached McKnight and Tyler. 


“Sirs, I beg you, please release these men. Their primary crime is being hungry, a common plight in this part of the country. Three of them have already paid with their lives.”

Before they could reply, Washington did a double-take and stared at Tyler’s face.

“Colonel Tyler, isn’t it?” he said. “You look different.” 

Tyler glanced at McKnight and winked with a smile. 

McKnight could almost read his friend’s mind and sense his humor. “I’m a colonel, too.”

“Yes, General Washington. It’s me. May I present—”

“I know,” Washington said. “Colonel McKnight, I presume?”

McKnight was stunned. “How…?”

Washington looked him up and down. 

“You’re not what I expected, sir. I look forward to talking with you, but we have an immediate situation to resolve. What should we do with these men?”


David spoke up. “General Washington, you have our humblest apologies. We’ll accept any punishment you demand. We deserve it.”

Washington looked at McKnight, who gave a slight nod.

“When we were at war,” Washington said, “I had men flogged for stealing.” 

He sighed. 

“The war is over, and I’m a businessman now. I’m not inclined to punish these men. What about you, Colonel McKnight?”

“I’ll leave it to you, General. It’s to your discretion.”

Washington nodded and turned back to the robbers. He walked to David and picked up his sword. He looked him in the eye, then stepped back to address all the bandits.


“I am releasing you to go back to your homes. If I learn you are waylaying people on this trail again, I shall raise a force and come looking for you. I won’t be merciful the second time.”

He approached the leader David again. The man stared at the ground.

Washington spoke in a low voice. 

“Look at me, sir.” 

David raised his face to Washington. Tears flowed down his cheeks.

“These men respect you, David,” Washington said. “You have influence over them. I’m counting on you to keep them on a Christian path. Don’t let them stray.” 

“I will, sir,” he said. “I swear before God I will.”

“Good. Pick up your weapons and go home. Find a better way to survive if you can. If not, come see me at Mount Vernon. Together, we will find a solution.”

David’s men picked up their long guns and walked back uphill to the trail. 

Washington turned his back to them and walked back to McKnight and Tyler. 

McKnight glanced at Wheeler, who nodded and slipped into the brush after the robbers. 

Washington looked at Tyler again. He touched Tyler’s hat and said, “May I?”

“Yes, sir,” Tyler said, and Washington reached forward and lifted his hat from his head. 

“I’ve known you for twenty years now, Colonel, and the last time I saw you, your hairline was receding. Now your hair is full again and the wrinkles on your face are gone. How is this possible?”

“It’s part of a plan, sir,” Tyler said. “It’s what brought us here to this time and place.”

“A plan?” Washington said. “Clearly, there’s more here than I perceive.”

He turned to McKnight.

“So, tell me, Colonel McKnight, what army are you in? What brings you and your men…” He stopped and scanned the faces before him, his eyes resting on Hatcher and Lagunas. “… Your men and women… to these woods?”

“We represent the Army of the United States, sir, and we came here looking for you.”

Washington nodded. “It appears you have found me, Colonel. What can I do for you?”

McKnight laughed. “That we have, sir. We need your help, and if you’ll allow me a few minutes of your time, I’ll explain.” 

Washington looked around and spread out his arms.

“I am at your disposal, Colonel. How can I help?”


Author Q/A

Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?

The hardest was George Washington—How do you do justice to an American Icon, but show
him as a man with faults like everyone else? The easiest was Marc McKnight, because he’s
partly me and this is my fifth book with him in the lead role.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

Mostly from things around me. For example, we recently vacationed in San Antonio and visited
the Alamo. I got an idea for a story about Davy Crockett.

There are many books out there about time travel.... What makes yours different?

Most time travel stories have no limits on the capability of time travel. In my stories, you can
only visit times that are a multiple of 25 years (give or take a week) from the current date. To
me, this adds a bit of urgency to the stories—you have limited time to make things happen. I
think having unlimited possibilities is less interesting.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Write a little every day and read books (or podcasts or videos) about the writing craft.


How long have you been writing?

I started writing around the year 2006, but I wasn’t serious about it. I’d write a few pages every
month or so. There was no urgency and no strong commitment to getting it done. Somewhere
around 2012, I decided to stop fooling around and get it done.


What genre do you write and why?

Science Fiction Time Travel. I’ve always been interested in “what if” stories, alternative history,
or stories that change history.

How are you similar to or different from your lead character?

Marc McKnight is my lead character. We are a lot alike in that we both want to do right things
and we both suffer from self-doubt and spending too much time in hindsight. Other than that,
we’re pretty different.


2.28.2023

Chris Crossed Murder ~ Spotlight

CHRIS CROSSED MURDER by Lauren Carr

 

Today I'm spotlighting Chris Crossed Murder 
by Lauren Carr
CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren CarrBook Details:

Book Title:  Chris Crossed Murder 

Series: (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) 
Author: Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +) 
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Feb 22, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring  Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique and the ending a surprise. A must-read!" - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer

"Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. ...I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar for when it releases." - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books

Book Description:
It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.

With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.
Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
B&N ~ BAM
BookBub
add to goodreads
Also Available: 
ICE (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Book Details:

Book Title: ICE  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  364 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  February 26, 2018
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Lauren spins an amazing web of lies, murder and love that will have you on the edge of your seat...I love the way Lauren spun this novel - I could not put the book down! I had to know what happened to Sandy and her unborn child and how this disappearance was tied into a string of other murders. I never saw the end coming but it was perfect and suited the novel. A definite must read novel!" 5-Star Review by Carla at Working Mommy Journal

Book Description:
When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. 

With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!

WINTER FROST (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Book Details:

Book Title: Winter Frost  (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult fiction,  332 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  January 22, 2019
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series. The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

"Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix." Review of Winter Frost by The iRead Review

Book Description:
It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.

Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas. 

Nothing is as it seems. 

In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?

THE LAST THING SHE SAID (a Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Book Details:

Book Title The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  386 pages
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   July 22, 2019
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled off another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps...or Chris's, LOL Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time...Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But, for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a time when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all!" - Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven

Book Description:
“I’m working on the greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.

For decades, the writer’s fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!

Author Lauren Carr
Meet the Author:

​Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor. 

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.  

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. 

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. 

connect with the author: website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ pinterest

Tour Schedule:

Feb 22 Mystery Review Crew - book series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
Feb 22 - The Book Countess book series spotlight/author interview/giveaway
Feb 22 – Locks Hooks and Books – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/author interview/giveaway
Feb 22 - Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review  of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/guest post/giveaway
Feb 23- Leanne Bookstagram book review of ICE
Feb 24 – My WorldReadsbook series spotlight/author interview/giveaway
Feb 24 – Book Reviews by Linda Moore – book series spotlight/giveaway
Feb 27 - Splashes of Joy – book review of ICE/giveaway
Feb 27- Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Feb 27  Bound 4 Escape book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Feb 28 
Blooming with Books - book series spotlight/giveaway
Feb 28 - Splashes of Joy – book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Feb 28 - Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook book review of ICE/giveaway
Mar 1 -  Leanne Bookstagram – book review of WINTER FROST
Mar 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/guest post/giveaway
Mar 1 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 2 – Diane’s Book Journal – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
Mar 2 - 
Leels Loves Books - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 3 - Novels Alive – book review of ICE/giveaway
Mar 3 
Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of ICE/giveaway
Mar 3 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/guest post/giveaway
Mar 3 – Bigreadersite – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 6 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of ICE/giveaway
Mar 6 –Novels Alive – book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Mar 7 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Mar 7 -  Leanne Bookstagram – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID
Mar 8  Deborah-Zenha Adams – book series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
Mar 8 - Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Mar 8 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 9 - Splashes of Joy – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 9 - Welcome To MLM Opinions Reviews – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 9 – FUONLYKNEW – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/guest post/giveaway
Mar 10 Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Mar 10 –Novels Alive – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 10 - Splashes of Joy – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 13  Liese's Blog – book series spotlight
Mar 14 – Paws.Read.Repeat – audiobook book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 14 - Library of Clean Reads – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 15 –Novels Alive – book spotlight of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 15 –Novels Alive – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 16 -  Leanne Bookstagram – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 16 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 17  Celticlady's Reviews – book series spotlight/author interview/giveaway
Mar 17 Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 17 Christa Reads and Writes - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER 
Mar 17 - Older & Smarter? – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/author interview/giveaway
Mar 20 
Books for Books - book series spotlight
Mar 20 – Sandra's Book Club – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
Mar 21 – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 21  fundinmental – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 22 - My Reading Getaway – book review of ICE/giveaway
Mar 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Mar 23 - My Reading Getaway – book review of WINTER FROST/giveaway
Mar 23 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 24 Gina Rae Mitchell - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/guest post/giveaway
Mar 24  Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 24 – Pause for Tales – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 27 – My Reading Journeys – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 28 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book series spotlight/guest post/giveaway
Mar 28 -- My Reading Getaway – book review of THE LAST THING SHE SAID / giveaway
Mar 29 – inspired.j.reads – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER
Mar 30 - My Reading Getaway – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 31  Adventurous Jessy – book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
Mar 31 - 
Just Another Reader - book review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER/giveaway
TBD Christa Reads and Writes - book review of ICE 
Enter the Giveaway: