Interview with mystery novelist Lanny Larcinese

Today’s special guest is mystery author Lanny Larcinese. He’s chatting with me about his new crime novel, Death in the Family.

During his virtual book tour, Lanny will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Lanny Larcinese’s short work has appeared in magazines and has won a handful of local prizes. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He’s a native mid-westerner transplanted to the City of Brotherly Love where he has been writing fiction for seven years. When not writing, he lets his daughter, Amanda, charm him out of his socks, and works at impressing Jackie, his long-time companion who keeps him honest and laughing—in addition to being his first-line writing critic. He also spends more time than he should on Facebook but feels suitably guilty for it.

Welcome, Lanny. Please share a little bit about your current release.
Death in the Family is the story of Donny Lentini, a talented young man caught between unrequited love from his mother and a father who is a low-level mob wannabe. When the father is found murdered with his hands cut off, the mother urges vengeance. An obvious mob hit, Donny doesn’t know exactly who or why, nor does he know why they are suddenly interested in Rosie’s Diner, owned by his girlfriend Pepper’s family and run by her. The two mysteries converge as Donny becomes more and more adept at dealing with his adversaries with the help of two close buddies. Donny’s fate at the conclusion of the story may come as a surprise to many.

What inspired you to write this book?

Interesting question. It began as a simple but vivid image that without any discernible provocation, popped into my head: two high school boys, one a bully, meet behind the gym for a confrontation. It was so vivid I had to write it out and describe it. Then I asked myself, why are they there? So I wrote that out. Then, what is their backstory? I wrote that out. So like a Big Bang, the entire story unfolded over months and successive drafts and three years and many versions later, will see the light of day. Of course, I did much other writing as Death in the Family lay dormant.


Excerpt from Death in the Family:

Meanwhile, I kept my job at the Association. Dad was networked into its clients and I could keep watch over him. But it also meant I had to put up with German’s side-eye and petty bullshit. He couldn’t push me around like Dad, I was too valuable. I’d mention Joojy’s name, hint how Dad was under Joojy’s umbrella and watch the green bile of German’s envy flare into blue flame. Fuck him.

“But so what,” I said to Dad, “why would you take such risks to impress bad guys? I don’t see the payoff. What would happen to Mother and me if something happened to you? Do you ever think of that?”

“You’d both be well taken care of.”

“You talking money? I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about a knife in the heart, especially Mother’s. Where is your damned head? You can be such a fool sometimes.”

I regretted it as soon as it came out. He said nothing but looked away, unable to see that being on the wrong track meant every station he went by was the wrong station. I didn’t know how to help him understand his aching need was little more than a screwed-up premise. Joojy owned him now. Dad had fully slid into the life. He had made life easy for me—a grassy neighborhood of playing fields and schools with talented friends who played tennis and squash—unlike his life of craps, three-card Monte and burning numbers slips. My life was so much better because he ate shit along the way, but his naïve impetuousness made him reliable as a tendril of mist and

vulnerable as a puppy in traffic.

“Just look over your shoulder, okay?” I said. “Those guys could shoot a pregnant woman and eat a tuna melt on her belly. You know that, right?”

“You been watching too many movies, Donny. They only want to make money. If you play it straight nobody gets hurt. That’s in the Statutes.”

Right. The South Philly Statutes. Some laws.

What exciting story are you working on next?

My work in progress is called “Fire in the Belly,” a novel inspired by an actual event in 1985 in Philadelphia during which the police dropped a satchel charge on the row house fortress of the weird, militant cult MOVE. Sixteen people burned to death and sixty-two row houses allowed to burn to the ground.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
While struggling through my first novel, caused by my delusion that a facility with language and occasional eloquence naturally resulted in story-telling skills, I wrote short stories. I submitted them in contests. When my short work resulted in first prizes at three successive Philadelphia Writers Conferences, and other work was published online, I thought, “I can do this.” Much education about craft followed before I became comfortable with novel writing. (Not sure “comfortable” is quite the right word; let’s just say, “not intimidated by…”)

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Writing comprises the dominant part of my time, psychic energy, activity, and conversation. I am a man whose life has been one of serial obsessions and writing is certainly one, but also by far the most gratifying and fulfilling over many others that have been rewarding in their own way. I awaken some mornings with a thank-you prayer, as it’s a gift—not necessarily skill which may be arguable—but the endeavor.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I can’t shut up about it, and have to be on guard not to be a boor and leave space for others to talk about their interests and projects.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A businessman, which I became, in many expressions. I also wanted to be like my dad, a strong man, a reliable and competent one, a protective and generous one.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

We need readers, the ultimate arbiters of our work. Love to us is when a reader gets what we’re trying to do and likes the way we do it. “All stories have been told, different only by the manner in which they are told.”

Links:

Website | Facebook | Amazon

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

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Interview with novelist/writer Jerome Mark Antil

Writer Jerome Mark Antil joins the blog today. He’s chatting with me about his new literary fiction, Mamma’s Moon: The Hoodoo of Peckerwood Finch.

During his virtual book tour, Jerome will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Jerome Mark Antil writes in several genres. He has been called a “greatest generation’s Mark Twain,” a “write what you know Ernest Hemingway,” and “a sensitive Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.” It’s been said his work reads like a Norman Rockwell painting. Among his writing accomplishments, several titles in his The Pompey Hollow Book Club historical fiction series about growing up in the shadows of WWII have been honored. An ‘Authors and Writers’ Book of the Year Award and ‘Writer of the Year’ at Syracuse University for The Pompey Hollow Book Club novel; Hemingway, Three Angels, and Me, won SILVER in the UK as second-best novel.

Foreword’s Book of the Year Finalist for The Book of Charlie – historical fiction and TheLong Stem is in the Lobby – nonfiction humor. Library Journal selected Hemingway, Three Angels and Me for best reads during Black History Month.

Before picking up the pen, Jerome spent his professional career writing and marketing for the business world. In this role, he lectured at universities - Cornell, St. Edward’s, and Southern Methodist. His inspirations have been John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway.

Welcome, Jerome. Please share a little bit about your current release.
I never start my first sentence until I’ve exhausted my research on the times, the area, the topics. I conduct interviews. I also match my characters to living people or on screen characters – and then I use their voices.

What inspired you to write this book?
My editor was a several time worldwide bestselling author. He edited the first in this series One More Last Dance – and he encouraged me to write a sequel. When I had, he said it was a rich, strong next step. He said I had reached the Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams leagues. Hemingway teaches me to write what I know. My first chapter is nonfiction.

Excerpt from Mamma’s Moon: The Hoodoo of Peckerwood Finch:

“Old man you are a dead man the second you come out of this store—a dead motherfucker. You hear me, old man?”

With cold, gray eyes, the boy stared at Gabe and backed down the hall, pointing and cursing his threat.

Gabe turned to his left and went looking for the store manager.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m writing a trilogy. Tall Jerry – Legend One of the Delphi Falls Trilogy. Semi autobiographical tales about growing up in the shadows of WWII. I’m Tall Jerry (I was 6’3” at 12.)

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When my 8^th grade English teacher wrote on the corner of one of my compositions – “This is the loveliest autumn I’ve ever read about.”

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am in my writing studio, writing, every morning, 7 days a week, from 6:30AM until 1:30PM. I relax for an hour – then I handle my marketing, interviews – research on future books. Then I have a sherry with my wife and muse…

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I nearly always start on my last chapter first. (Sometimes there are more than one option) That way, I know where I’m heading. In one of my novels chapter 36 became my first chapter. It seems I write – and it’s all put together later, as a jigsaw puzzle.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Superman and Mark Twain.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If you like my written voice, you would like every genre I have written in.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Amazon

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

Thank you for having me.

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Interview with thriller author Suzanne Seddon

Novelist Suzanne Seddon joins me today to chat a little about her new crime thriller, A Fool’s Circle.

During her virtual book tour, Suzanne will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Suzanne Seddon was born in 1968 in Islington, London. After leaving school she had many interesting jobs, from swimming teacher to air hostess, and was able to travel the globe. Now a single mum to her teenage daughter Poppy-willow, Suzanne spends her days writing and has written several articles for magazines and newspapers.

Growing up, Suzanne witnessed mental and physical abuse within her own family which strongly influenced her when she wrote her first play, A Fool’s Circle, when she attended the famous Anna Scher Theatre. Suzanne, however, was not content to leave it there and decided to go ahead and transform her play into a novel.

Not one to shy away from exciting challenges, she also wrote, acted, directed, cast and produced a trailer for the book around her hometown in Islington with the support of local businesses, who recognised the drive and importance of Suzanne and her work.

Suzanne is a passionate writer and she is determined to be heard so that the issue of domestic abuse is raised amongst the public's consciousness, empowering others to speak out. She wants those who suffer at the hands of another to have their voices heard, loud and clear.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

Kate Saunders has suffered many years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of her controlling husband, Alan, and convinces herself that she is only holding the family together for the sake of her eight-year-old daughter. If it wasn’t for her best friend Jill Reynolds, she’d have taken the suicide option a long time ago.

As she desperately seeks a way to escape, she is contacted by a solicitor. Kate’s old Aunt has died and she has been left a small fortune. 

For the first time she sees the light at the end of the tunnel. She dreams of a fresh start, a new home, a new life.

What Kate doesn’t know is that Jill and Alan have their own secrets, and are both desperate to get their hands on her money.

Kate soon finds herself falling for the charms of Jonathan Jacobs in what she believes to be fate finally intervening and offering her a second chance, unaware that each move he makes has been directed, orchestrated and well-rehearsed as he begs her to leave her husband Alan. 

But is it all too late, as she finds herself in the frame for murder?

Excerpt from A Fool’s Circle:
‘Mummy! Please wake up! Mummy! Please wake up please, Mummy, Mummy.’

Kate woke up with a start and as she looked at her daughter standing in front of her she could see the fear in her eyes as the smoke thickened from Alan’s side of the bed.

‘Mummy, Mummy, what’s wrong with Daddy? Why is he making that funny noise?’

She listened to the weird noise from the creature next to her. Kate screamed at him to wake up as she got up out of bed, and ushered Sophie out of the bedroom.

‘Alan, wake up. Alan, the room is on fire! Wake up will you, Alan!’

Kate could see by the look on his face as he opened his eyes, he had no idea what was going on, still half pissed. As the proverbial penny finally dropped, he was up out of bed and on his feet.

Kate coughed hard as she got Sophie out of the bedroom. She guided her downstairs into the kitchen and grabbed the fire extinguisher from the cupboard. His voice boomed behind her as he entered the room.

‘Where’s the fucking fire extinguisher, woman? For fuck’s sake, hurry up! The whole place will burn down.’

She almost threw it at him. Watching him fly back out of the kitchen and up the stairs, she turned her attention to her daughter.

‘Are you okay Sophie? Talk to me, is your throat sore?’

Sophie was traumatised. She coughed a few times as Kate, worried, stared at her daughter’s face. Sophie started to cry.

What inspired you to write this book?

To be honest, writing a book was never the plan. I wrote A Fool’s Circle as a play first. Then, after finding the script a few year’s later in the back of a draw, I decided to write it as a feature film. I went as far as making a film trailer. Whilst the trailer was in edit, my mother sadly passed away and I was a single parent with no support network. It was my mother’s dream to write a book. So, I decided to change direction and write it as a novel.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I don’t know if I’m quite finished with A Fool’s Circle. I still have a few good ideas where I can take the story next. Although one day I would really like to write an Autobiography, but that’s a long way off.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t often consider myself a writer, funnily enough. I just really enjoy writing. Also, I enjoyed the transition from script writing to novel writing fascinating. The two are so different and I really learned a lot from that.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I don’t write full time, although I did whilst writing A Fool’s Circle. I spent over two years putting it together. It was manic and full on. I’m now just getting ideas together for my next book. My daughter is now a teenager so I have a bit more time on my hands to write. But I usually do that after she has gone to bed.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t have spreadsheets for characters. I listen to them speaking in my head and often find myself asking them questions. I suppose that sounds a bit crazy, but I often find myself asking one of the characters: ‘What are you going to do now?’ I can see them as plain as day. I have to keep a pen and paper by the side of my bed also. I never know when they are going to catch me out and lead the story.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was very sporty as a child. So, I wanted to do something in that field. When I left school, I became a lifeguard. Then, when I was twenty-one, I became a qualified swimming teacher.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I would be really interested to know, who they thought was the best character in A Fool’s Circle and why?

Links:

Wallace Publishing | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Facebook

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

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Interview with novelist Sherilyn Decter

My special guest today is author Sherilyn Decter. She’s here to chat a bit about the first release in her new historical women’s crime fiction, Innocence Lost - Book One of the Bootleggers’ Chronicles series.

During her virtual book tour (schedule is listed below), Sherilyn is giving away two (2) autographed paperback copies of Innocence Lost. Each of the books comes with a couple of sheets of flapper paper dolls. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below.

Welcome, Sherilyn. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

The Roaring Twenties and Prohibition were a fantasy land, coming right after the horrors and social upheaval of World War I. Even a century later, it all seems so exotic.

Women got the vote, started working outside the home, and (horrors!) smoked and drank in public places. They even went on unchaperoned dates (gasp)! Corsets were thrown into the back of the closets, and shoes were discovered to be an addictive fashion accessory after hemlines started to rise. And thanks to Prohibition, suddenly it was fashionable to break the law. The music was made in America- ragtime, delta blues, and of course jazz. Cocktails were created to hide the taste of the bathtub gin. Flappers were dancing, beads and fringes flying. Fedoras were tipped. And everyone was riding around in automobiles (aka struggle buggies and I leave it to your imagination why - wink.)

Bootleggers’ Chronicles grew out of that fascination. Writing as Sherilyn Decter, I will eventually have a series of historical crime fiction novels dealing with the bootleggers, gangsters, flappers, and general lawlessness that defined Prohibition. The Bootlegger blog rose out of all the research that I’ve been doing about this incredible era.

Growing up on the prairies and living next to the ocean, I am a creature of endless horizons. Writing allows me to discover what’s just over the next one. My husband and I have three amazing daughters, a spoiled grandson, and two bad dogs.

Please tell us about your current release.

Innocence Lost is the story of Maggie, a young widow struggling to raise her son in 1920s Philadelphia. Prohibition has turned her neighborhood into a bootleggers’ playground. When her son’s friend goes missing and the police aren’t interested in investigating, Maggie steps way out of her comfort zone to begin investigating. After all, the safety of her son may be at stake. Providing support and guidance is a ghostly police detective, Frank Geyer. Together they battle police corruption and dangerous bootleggers in their attempts to bring evil-doers to justice.

What inspired you to write this book?

I start a story with the idea ‘what if?’ and begin to knit up those fascinating threads into something that grabs the reader and holds them to the end.

Stories about women at the crossroads have always inspired me. Maggie started out life as a feisty, independent girl but wound up thinking and acting like her turn-of-the-century mother. With her back to the wall financially and worried about the safety of her son, Maggie is forced to rediscover who she was before life got her down.

I am also intrigued about how people react when faced with extraordinary circumstances. They’re tested-- revealing their true character, for better or worse. Several of the characters in Innocence Lost must come face to face with that truth. Innocence Lost is set in dangerous times, ‘not because of evil, but because of people who do nothing about it.’

Finally, the 1920s was an exciting era. Hemlines were going up, hair was being bobbed, women were stepping out, and that razzmatazz jazz got fringes flying. Prohibition may have cut off the legal supply of liquor, but that didn’t stop people from drinking, which created a business opportunity for folks who enjoyed risk and adventure. Great change has interesting consequences, often unexpected. And that leads me back to answering, ‘what if?’.

Excerpt from Innocence Lost:

Philadelphia has not yet lost its soul. It’s still the early days of Prohibition. Sure, you can see the rot around the edges beginning to creep in, but people, for the most part, are enjoying the thrill of being lawbreakers. The times; they’re dangerous, but not yet deadly. Bootleggers are still the boys from down the street, and hooch still has a bit of quality control to it. Hell, the most dangerous thing about the Twenties, so far at least, is hemlines. Those short skirts are trouble.

You can smack your lips at the scandal of it all. Everyone has a bit of an outlaw in them, don’t they? Many of the good people of Philadelphia are secretly thrilled to be able to thumb their noses at a senseless bit of government regulation imposed by morons in Washington. It’s a buzz to sneak out to the local speakeasy, get in with a secret password, and tip back a refreshing swig of illegal booze.

Ah yes, that inevitable illegal booze. Stashed in old warehouses; some of them are by the river, some close to the tracks, all hidden from view. Brick carcasses of abandoned enterprise, those warehouses now bustle with new business. Risky business. Bootlegging.

What exciting story are you working on next?

The decade of Prohibition and its effects on America provide an endless source of inspiration for compelling, dramatic stories. Having completed the five book series about bootleggers, the ghost of a police detective, and Maggie Barnes, I’m now heading south.

The next series is set in Florida and delves into the dangerous world of rum runners. There’s a trio of dynamic women who run things along Rum Row, a fortune teller who finds answers in the tarot, and a very nasty villain.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always been a reader, losing myself in the pages of a good book. But I was finding it harder and harder to find the stories I wanted to read: stories of strong women facing exceptional circumstances, who find themselves along the journey. I love history and a touch of the paranormal. The stars aligned and I started to write.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I’m retired, so have the luxury of writing full time. As an early bird, you can find me at my desk well before dawn, spinning tales. I usually spend all my creative energies by lunch time, leaving me the afternoons to research historical aspects of my books, to look after the business side of being a writer, to cook or garden, to visit with my grandchildren, or play with my two bad dogs.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

All my stories have been written with one dog in my lap and another at my feet. (Yes, I have poor writing posture and long arms!) They wisely refrain from commenting on my first drafts and a good tummy rub often inspires the solution to a particularly vexing conundrum in the plot.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, I was the tall, awkward, nerdy girl in glasses and her nose in a book. If I couldn’t be a teacher, I wanted to be a librarian. One of those weird quirks of fate that I had mentioned earlier put me behind a country bar slinging beer and mixing drinks instead of cool, quiet book stacks. But regardless of where I’ve been or what I’ve been up to, I’ve always had plenty of bookcases and my ‘to-be-read’ pile is at dangerous heights.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

If you like flapper fashions, you can find all kinds of eye-candy on my Facebook author page, on my Pinterest page, or on my website. There’s just something about sequins and feathers that stirs those creative juices.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Bookfunnel | Media Page | Amazon

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The full tour:

Monday, Feb. 25 - What Is That Book About - Spotlight
Juneta @ WritersGambit - Guest Post & Excerpt
Mythical Books - Excerpt
The Story of a Writer - Excerpt
Rockin' Book Reviews - Review & Excerpt
Today, Feb. 26 - Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews - Q & A
Thoughts in Progress - Spotlight
Wednesday, Feb. 27 - A Smile And A Gun - Interview
Thursday, Feb. 28 - Book Reviews by Pat Garcia - Review
Hank Quense's Blog - Excerpt
No Genre Left Behind - Excerpt
Friday, March 1 - Carole's Book Corner - Spotlight
Celticlady's Reviews - Excerpt & Spotlight
Reviews by Crystal - Excerpt

Interview with writer Joe Albanese

Writer Joe Albanese is in the hot seat today to chat with me about his new crime-comedy, Caina.

Bio:

Joe Albanese is a writer from South Jersey. His short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry can be found in publications across the United States and in ten other countries. Joe is the author of Caina and Smash and Grab.

Welcome, Joe. Please tell us about your current release.

Caina is a crime comedy about a small-time criminal, who in order to escape debts to multiple gangs, assumes the identity of his successful twin brother, only to find himself involved with the mob, the DEA, and a drone delivery company.

What inspired you to write this book?

A lot of it comes from my relationship with my older brother growing up. We aren’t twins like the characters in the book, but we are only a year apart. So I had teachers a year after him and they'd always accidentally call me by his name. I got tired of correcting them all, so eventually I just started answering to it. He was always more likable than me. He was definitely more attractive, had more friends, was smarter, more social… he was a bit of an asshole too. Our relationship is good now, but growing up I kind of hated him.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I recently got a publishing offer on a novella I wrote. Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with peaks in my anxiety and depression from coming off another medication that did not help, so I turned it down since I’m not in a good enough place mentally to make the book as successful as possible. The money to stress ratio is not worth it right now. It was probably a bad decision because I know how hard it is to find someone who wants to invest in your work, and I was running out of publishers to submit it to, so turning it down burned that final bridge, at least for that story.

About a month ago, I finished the final touches on another crime novel, which is the longest thing I’ve written so far. I submitted it to several publishers, but for the same reason, will probably not be able to accept any offer to publish (should I get one).

If I get another idea for a book I want to write, I probably will. I don’t know if I’ll want to try getting it published, but who knows? Maybe one day.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Either when I got my first story published in a magazine, when I got my first check, or when I started hating more successful writers.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I used to write full-time. Now it’s more on and off. When I did, I was on that depressing writer’s schedule where I slept all day and wrote all night to avoid distractions. Currently I’m in a re-evaluation stage of life and trying to find a more traditional job to pay the bills. Unless this book really takes off and I become financially secure. Then I can go back to being a full-time writer.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I think most writers are really professional procrastinators, so I’m probably not alone in this, but I always do whatever I can to avoid that initial step of sitting down at the computer to write. “How can I write when there are dirty dishes in the sink?” “I think the smell of brownies in the oven would really get the creative juices flowing.” I get so many more chores done when I’m writing than I’m when I’m not.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

In high school I wanted to be a journalist. Then I took a class and hated it. I got my degree in Criminal Justice, which may be why most of my stories have a criminal element to them. I went to college to be a cop, but I lost interest and didn’t like the idea of enforcing laws I disagreed with.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

You can follow me on Twitter @JoeAlba88. I’m not too active and don’t get political, but I share updates and post my poetry that I get published online.

Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Twitter

Thanks for being here today, Joe! Happy writing.