30 - Michael Bourke I opt to meet her in the office, not the house. The church had to be re-opened anyway: outrageously selfish of me to have kept it closed. I also hope to project a more officious nature, surrounded by the trappings of ecclesiastical power. Not to impress the journalist – she … Continue reading From “The Angel of the Streetlamps” by Sean Moncrieff
Video trailer and excerpt from PERMANENT FATAL ERROR by Hadley Colt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZICG3qjKeQ The following excerpt refers to Everett Hyde's letter: "Ashley’s former professor drew a deep breath and said, “Tough stuff, isn’t it? I received it, via his publisher, about three months after the publication of his third novel, Rain Dogs. About a year before the death, as I recall it. I was asking his … Continue reading Video trailer and excerpt from PERMANENT FATAL ERROR by Hadley Colt
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 7
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: The clerk shrugged and slid across a ten-dollar bill at the old man who scooped it up. Fragments of brick rained down on me. But my … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 7
The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 6
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: Hector sipped more of his wine. He said, “Progress?” “Yes,” Gertrude said. “What have my mystifiers learned since last night?” As if suddenly reminded about the … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 6
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 5
Which novel is this? Win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer! Let’s drop that pretense,” she said, her hands clasping the back of his neck, urging his face down to her waiting mouth. They’d kicked off the sheets and chenille … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 5
The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 4
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: “Old man, I do so appreciate you playing bodyguard to me,” Orson said. “I truly do. But I am racing the clock on multiple fronts as … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 4
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 3
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: He held up his Zippo and opened it with a one-handed flick. She leaned in, holding his hand to steady it. Her hand was still cold … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 3
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 2
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: “The kind of woman a man would burn his life down for,” Hector said, “I know.” Hector specialized in writing such women. “That’s it, exactly,” von … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 2
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 1
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: The clerk shrugged and slid across a ten-dollar bill at the old man who scooped it up. The old man frowned. “Oh, must have miscounted.” He … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 1
“Lying Still” by David Hogan
David Hogan's The Last Island is currently on promotion in Australia.
Anti-Valentine! Excerpt from CHARLIE P by Richard Kalich
From the chapter "The young harpist" At age fifty-seven Charlie P fell in love with a twenty year-old Bulgarian harpist entering Juilliard on scholarship. Besides being young and beautiful, she came from a good family, too. Her mother not only taught ethics at the university, but practiced what she preached. Her father discovered the cure … Continue reading Anti-Valentine! Excerpt from CHARLIE P by Richard Kalich
Valentine’s Day: “Let’s get that ring a mate”
Excerpt from Forever's Just Pretend by Craig McDonald "She bit her lip. “Have I scared you buying us a love nest, Hec?” “You, the nomad, bought a house?” Hector could hardly believe what he was hearing. Brinke was the consummate globetrotter. He bit his lip, watching her. Well, … Continue reading Valentine’s Day: “Let’s get that ring a mate”
Willow Weep for Me
"By the time the singer appeared, the house was full. Arlene Gray stepped elegantly on the stage and approached the microphone, one hand moving in time with the music, the other resting against the curve of her hip. There was warm applause. Light-skinned and full-figured, she wore a black, strapless sheath with sequins that sparkled … Continue reading Willow Weep for Me
A single kiss
"A shooting star zipped across the sky. I watched it streak behind the mountain on the other side of the island as I thought about the woman against the opposite side of the concrete wall, so very different from me – or anyone. She was a genuine being, pure in spirit and without pretense, willfully … Continue reading A single kiss
Hey, hey babe I’ve got blood in my eyes for you
"She takes out the tape from its box and inserts it into the stereo. Then she removes her flimsy dressing gown and crawls back into bed. Her legs feel heavy. She doesn’t know if she’s coming down with something or whether it’s the after-effects of last night’s dancing. She’s not as young as she’d like … Continue reading Hey, hey babe I’ve got blood in my eyes for you
Come on, baby, light my fire
“Come with me, little girl,” said Fausto, leading me back inside. “I’ll light your candy cigarette for you.” The easiness of us surprised me. I had thought a relationship with an Italian man would be fuelled by arguments and accusations, judging by the amount of couples I came upon in the street doing their impression … Continue reading Come on, baby, light my fire
Love to travel? Read from THE LAST ISLAND by David Hogan
The Last Island is currently on promotion in Australia. "A full white moon glistened above and lit my way along the dusty road back to the cove. The walk was pleasant, and I took it leisurely, thoughtfully, kicking up rocks and staring at the sky, until I turned off the road into the unpaved path that led … Continue reading Love to travel? Read from THE LAST ISLAND by David Hogan
Love fashion? Read from SILK FOR THE FEED DOGS by Jackie Mallon
Silk for the Feed Dogs is currently on promotion in Australia. "I got into my dress and new Prada shoes, smeared Ravish-Me-Red on my lips, and arranged the netting of my hat over one eye. I grabbed my coat and couldn’t get out of that draughty warehouse fast enough. Instead of traffic, the streets were now … Continue reading Love fashion? Read from SILK FOR THE FEED DOGS by Jackie Mallon
From HEAD GAMES by Craig McDonald
"I kicked Orson once … and couldn’t tell if I hit fat or special-effect’s padding. So I kicked him again. But to no discernible effect. “You and me,” I said to Welles, “we’re through.” I walked as Marlene stooped to help Orson to his feet. The Kraut and a forklift might get the job done. … Continue reading From HEAD GAMES by Craig McDonald
From LA FRONTERA by Sam Hawken
"He was in the storeroom when the soldiers came. They smashed through the front door, tearing the bells off their mount and cracking the glass, eight men in green uniforms with weapons. Luis had an armload of shoeboxes with him; he dropped them when they began to tear the store apart. “Wait! What’s going on?” … Continue reading From LA FRONTERA by Sam Hawken
Betimes Books 
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