Barry Swanson's Lost Frequency Surfaces Thrills

Lost Frequency

By Barry Swanson
 

                Barry Swanson has written a taut, suspenseful thriller about an international race to discover a communication tool to translate a Lost Frequency into a language. How will such a tool be used by the victor in this race? Will it sustain good or diabolical purposes? Clues to this discovery lay with pods of whales. Have you ever wanted to talk with whales? Think of what we can learn from each other. Wisdom of the ages, shared. Will the human race thrive from what they learn, or struggle to survive as they use it against each other? And what is the fate of the whales?

                A Puget Sound family’s legacy moves to a new generation when David Parker takes the reins. He uses a different approach as he begins covert work researching whale pods and their behavior. This is a perspective that hasn’t been tried before. His technology company team believes it can find the way to decipher and propel this promising advance for humankind. But can their solutions be stolen?  And are they even on the right track? If successful, can humankind cooperate and collaborate in its use? As David Parker’s worthy opponent believes, “This is not the way that people interested only in power and influence think. For them, it is zero-sum. Power cannot be split. Power must always end up on one side. That’s the way the game is won.” The people in power are playing this game to win.

                The mystery deepens as to just what the tech team is actually solving for. In the meantime foreign spies are infiltrating, stealing secrets, and eliminating anyone who gets in their way. “You are Prometheus, Mr. Parker . . . . Stealing fire from the gods to give to us mortals. Let us hope we do not burn ourselves.” The greatest threat is to David Parker and his family, and that is not something he had bargained for.

                The explanation of the research in process is thought provoking. The work is clearly presented by such interesting characters, each with their own deeply held motives and reasons for participating. The descriptions of the whales’ grandeur, beauty, intellect, and lives are heartfelt and inspiring.

                The author is a marine naturalist, a steward of the environment, and a singer/songwriter. Barry Swanson lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest on the beautiful Salish Sea. Prepare yourself for an intense thriller. Throughout this adventure, the author’s respect for the worldwide work of researchers, scientists, and for the marine mammals that populate our waters breaches the pages.

Mercy River by Glen Erik Hamilton

Mercy River

By Glen Erik Hamilton

                Welcome to Mercy River, Oregon where you’ll “feel a growing energy in the town like kids before summer vacation. Or maybe animals before an earthquake.” Author Glen Erik Hamilton shares a gripping mystery thriller where friendship is tested, and dangers surround criminal actions that threaten a person’s belief in whether justice can ever emerge. This is the fourth novel in the award winning Van Shaw mystery series that started with the first book winning the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Strand Magazine Critics awards.

                Now Van’s friend and fellow Veteran Leo, is accused of murder and jailed in the secretive, small town of Mercy River in Oregon. The victim was the front man for a team of private military contractors hired to recover stolen opiates. The accused is doing little to help his own defense, and is eerily silent on much of what happened that night. The bonds of brotherhood and friendship are sorely tested as Van works to uncover what actually happened and tries to show his friend’s innocence. This drama unfolds over the background of a raucous U.S. Army Rangers weekend reunion and town-wide party of a growing Veteran support network. Devoted celebrants rally around this network’s founder and highly decorated special operations general.

                The memorable characters are skillfully created. Van Shaw is an Army Ranger Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and within his tough exterior he hides a loyal heart and a haunted spirit. He’s motivated by an ethical code formed through his own extraordinary experiences. A loner, he struggles with the complicated emotions of a life of what could have been, with his ex-girlfriend Luce. She also turns up in Mercy River, in the name of friendship. Now Van must focus his energies to try and survive a chilling fight against this deadly adversary who is lurking in plain sight.

                This award winning, best-selling author knows a lot about the Pacific Northwest. He grew up aboard a sailboat in the Seattle area, and spent much time sailing the islands in the area. He now lives in Burbank, California with his family, but left his heart in Seattle and visits frequently.

                To hear more from the author listen on YouTube where Wendy Kendall & Carl Lee Co-Host A Novel Talk with Glen Erik Hamilton

Solar Reboot - Book Goes Audio!

Solar Reboot

By Matthew D. Hunt
 

Solar Reboot is now an Audio Book! 

Narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, it's just over 10 hours of excitement on iTunes, Google Play, Scribd, Beek and EStories. 

Watch for it also on other platforms in the next few weeks.

Alex Robinson, Park Ranger, has spent his adult life preparing for the unexpected. But the unexpected can hit at most inconvenient times. After traveling across the country from Seattle to New York City with his pre-teen daughter to her out-of-state swim meet, he hears on the radio – “scientists at NASA are now reporting that the solar flare is much larger than they had anticipated . . .” and then the largest solar flare in history hits. And so this Science Fiction adventure begins.

Stuck on the other side of the country from his wife Cameron, with planes falling from the skies, electricity grid nonexistent and the population’s palpable fear, Alex must find a way to reunite the family in Seattle. And so his dangerous journey across the country begins, amidst his own fears whether he has what it takes if confronted and if necessary to lie, or to steal, or even to kill in order to keep his daughter safe in this changed world. As the story unfolds, they are faced with unpredictable crisis situations that will test them both.

In the meantime, conditions are not any better in the Seattle area. Cameron decides to retreat to the family rustic cabin that was built within a mountain community. There she will face the uncertainties of nature, and the sometimes dark side of human nature. There is a mystery uncovered that demands to be solved, and no one has a clue what they’ve let themselves in for.

There are no guarantees of safety or survival in this dramatically charged new world. It’s a thought provoking book asking questions about trust, loyalty, family, and what is truly important to a life. At the same time, humor is infused throughout for a fun read filled with a very intriguing assortment of characters.

Solar Reboot is Matthew D. Hunt’s debut novel. Matthew D. Hunt is proof that it's never too late to follow your dreams. As he reached middle age, he was inspired by film icons Richard Hatch and Tony Todd to rework his entire life and pursue a career as an independent film producer/writer where he rapidly became known for his unique ability to guide the creative process. Now with numerous projects under his belt such as "5th Passenger", "Junkie", and "Nobility" to name a few, he’s also made his novel debut with Solar Reboot.

This book has won a bronze IPPY award for Science Fiction, Gold Medal Winner of the 2018 Global Ebook award, and most recently is a finalist in the 2018 Washington State Book Awards.

And if you want to hear more from the author listen on YouTube to Kendall & Cooper Talk Mysteries with Matthew D. Hunt

Enjoy Seven Nights With A Scot

Seven Nights With A Scot

All The King’s Men Series
By Gerri Russell

Award winning and bestselling author Gerri Russell sends you roamin’ in the gloamin’ on an exhilarating Seven Nights With A Scot, in this historical, romance novel. These are the days of the North Berham witch trials in Scotland, with atrocities inflicted on anyone accused of sorcery. The lovely Vivian Sinclair who is quietly practicing her gifts of healing and precognition is surrounded by grave threats despite the protection of her guardian King James. So, His Majesty betroths her to one of his most powerful warriors thinking she will be safe with him. His home is a dangerous seven night’s journey away, and his handsome brother, Quinn Douglas is charged with getting Vivian there – a mission that he accepts with all his heart.

Villainous Rupert pledges with a vengeance to personally find and purge Scotland of all witches, in the most grisly manner. He decides in particular to launch a terrifying crusade against Vivian, and he is in hot pursuit of both Vivian and Quinn, and the few friends who have joined to help them. Rupert is described in the novel in an ominous way. “’Twas the drawback of hunting his prey. He always caught what he sought.”

Sharing close quarters and a passionate attraction, Vivian and Quinn are on the run from Rupert but also from their own heartfelt feelings for each other. It’s a different kind of torment, for Vivian daring to love for the very first time, alongside Quinn who is falling deeply in love but struggles to stop himself from betraying his brother.

Writing adventurous and emotionally intense novels set in the twelfth to seventeenth century Scotland, as well as flirty contemporary novels set in the Pacific Northwest, author Gerri Russell is a two time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award. Her writing is breathtaking and vivid, with thought provoking characters and engaging dialogue. Historical insights are deftly planted throughout, the action is ongoing, and the sizzling romance is palpable. Nothing is guaranteed in this story - not liberty, not love, not life. Will Vivian be caught and accused of witchery? What will be her fate? Will Quinn find any solace? Will love prevail after Seven Nights With A Scot?

Gerri Russell has worked as a broadcast journalist, newspaper reporter, magazine columnist, technical writer and editor, which all finally led her to romance author of thirteen novels and one novella. Hear more from the author herself on YouTube podcast episode with co-hosts Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Gerri Russell

Wild West History With The Kemptons by Trudy Kempton Dana

The KemptonsAdventures of a Montana Ranch Family 1880 - 1964
By Trudy Kempton Dana
 

Author Trudy Kempton Dana will be signing books on Saturday May 11 from 11:00 to noon at the Edmonds Bookshop, so be sure to mosey on over to meet her and to hear more old western stories about The Kemptons.

Delight in this memoir that is a fascinating storytelling of an intriguing period of history, and these stories are told as if by the different people themselves. The author brings these characters truly to life as they tell their own stories and also share tales about each other. Pull up a chair and enjoy the exploits of The Kemptons and their friends as they participate in making Montana history, touching on slices of national historic events, and even adventuring in foreign lands.

What a treasure of information discovered in this collection of stories that are fascinating for readers young and old. The author really brings the people who made our history, their feelings, their everyday challenges, and their dreams so real and relatable. This is a family with roots in immigration as well as in Native American tribe. There are fun stories about settling the small town west, exciting Wild West show tours episodes, and anecdotes of the daily running of the Kempton Ranch and Hotel. Along with the interesting glimpses into the family members’ lives, their friends in the towns and working with them on the ranch and at the hotel are also compelling characters, who were real people. The Florida Cowboy and his horse Miami have such a fun and touching story recounted over a truly memorable Christmas Eve gift. President Theodore Roosevelt even has a direct connection with The Kemptons that adds to the humor that laces the tough lives memorialized here. At the end of each chapter, the author adds a note about the story told by the character, adding additional context that ties up any questions so effectively.

This memoir is generously endowed with historic photos of the people, memorabilia, and places recounted. How fortunate to have such clear pictures to enhance the storytelling. Author Trudy Kempton Dana grew up hearing stories of her father’s life on this incredible Montana cattle ranch. These stories captured her imagination and she’s combined that legacy with some historic research to bring to life a time that embraces humor, hard work, dreams, family and community. “Although the original ranch house, no longer occupied, has fallen into disrepair, you can still see the grandeur of the large, welcoming living room and dining areas. Only the memories, the ghosts of the Kempton family, remain. . . . the Kemptons loved the land and it gave them life.” Fortunately we also have the tales of The Kemptons as well in this memorable book of biographical stories.

The author’s father, Jerry Kempton was once told by his father, “We can’t live in the past. We have to make the present something we can be proud of and plan for the future.” Although with this book the past is a great place to visit.

A Novel Talk with Gerri Russell

Co-Hosts Wendy Kendall & Carl Lee enjoy A Novel Talk with Historical Romance Author Gerri Russell about her All The King's Men series, especially her novel Seven Nights With A Scot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naUFCwAgOs4&feature=youtu.be

Laura Childs Spills The Tea In Great New Mystery

Broken Bone ChinaTea Shop Mystery #20
By Laura Childs

Imagine floating in a hot air balloon high above scenic, historic Charleston amid a flying parade of a half dozen others in flight. Theodosia Browning gave it a try and thought this must be the coolest thing she’d ever done. Her long time friend and tea sommelier Drayton Conneley disagreed, deciding it was terrifying. He was about to be proven right. Suddenly a drone narrowly missed them and wildly crashed into another balloon floating next to them, killing three. A terrible accident, or was it intentional?

Scared by their near miss, and concerned about the direction of the investigation under Detective Tidwell, Theodosia finds herself gathering clues and analyzing suspects. It’s a fascinating collection of characters, and a fun puzzle to try your hand solving as you read along and Theodosia shares her clues and observations with you.

While detecting, Theodosia still has the fabulous Indigo Tea Shop to run along with Drayton and also beloved cook and baker Haley. Along with the everyday delicacies and custom tea blends served both in the café and also to-go, special events are routinely scheduled. Delight in reading about the Nancy Drew tea, and be on the alert for suspect activity. Savor the detailed description of the elegant Beaux Arts event as it is planned, decorated, and enjoyed. There are so many tasty tidbits of historical, baking, and tea information for the reader too, as Drayton says at the Beaux Arts Tea, “And now that we’ve got you half-tipsy on tea, champagne, and knowledge, I’d like to introduce our hostess, Miss Theodosia Browning.”

At the end of the book the author shares Haley’s recipes, and a couple from other characters, great ideas for tea parties, and an extensive list of tea resources. Laura Childs is a prolific mystery writer with her multiple series – Scrapbooking Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, Tea Shop Mysteries, Anthologies, and Afton Tangler Thrillers (written as Gerry Schmitt).

You can find more information about the author and her books at Kendall & Cooper Talk Mysteries with Laura Childs. Included in the podcast is an interview at our own friends at  Edmonds Treasures and Teas Shop where a personally blended Laura Childs Mystery Tea was blended and sent to the author. She loved it, of course! Recommend you stop by and try a mystery blend of your own to enjoy while you read.