This True Detective knows Criminal Minds from all angles...

Our author Michael Barrett is getting all kinds of praise for his latest crime novel, Shoshana. And it's no wonder: as a former police detective, sketch artist, and private investigator, Barrett knows the crime scene intimately.

Westport News recently released an article about their hometown career cop and his successful transition to full-time author:

"I wanted people to see the cop's point of view," he said. On television police officers are portrayed as hard, often emotionless people, he said.  "On TV when a cop shoots someone, it's no big deal and that's not at all how it works.  Most cops leave the job with post-traumatic stress disorder," the retired officer said.  "A macho cop gets a SIDS call and it changes the way he thinks about people."

For the full article complete with insights into Barrett's motivation and inspiration for Shoshana visit Westport News.  And for more information about Michael Barret, Shoshana, and his other works, visit his personal website.

Posted By: Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

WALL STREET JOURNAL'S Tom Nolan Reviews CITY OF GHOSTS

Critics and bloggers alike are intrigued City of Ghosts, Kelli Stanley's third novel in her Miranda Corbie mystery series.

Tom Nolan praises, "Kelli Stanley's atmospheric mystery-adventure of art thieves and smugglers, murderers, and possible foreign agents in the Bay Area in 1940, makes quite an impression."  Who wouldn't be impressed by "art thieves and smugglers, murderers and possible foreign agents."   Read Nolan's complete review at the online edition of WSJ.

And head over to Lesa's Book Critiques where Lesa tells book-lovers, "If you want to understand pre-war America, the looting of Europe's art treasures, San Francisco's history, or the story of a strong, gritty woman, a woman with a past, and a city with a past, Kelli Stanley's City of Ghosts is a must-read."  Read her full review on her book blog.

To get started or continue your adventure in the Miranda Corbie series, visit the author's official website and for even more information and updates, follow her on twitter.

Posted by Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

TJ O'Connor in the Tabloids!!!

But it's all good.  I guess the EXAMINER knows that mystery books are hot right now.  You have to keep an eye out this weekend when the issue will be distributed.

And if you don't believe in tabloids, here are a few book reviews that may entice you to pick up a copy of O'Connor's Dying to Know.

OpenBookSociety.com: "Definitely a surprise [...] you will find things are not always as they appear, and what does appear may not be what you see after all. Read the book."

Edie Dykeman from BellaOnline.com: "...check out Dying to Know and be prepared to thoroughly enjoy the ride."

Mysterymavenblog.com (who's not going to believe a mystery maven?): "...a fast-paced, humorous exploration of the netherworld."

So now you're Dying to Know what all the hubbub is about?  Check out TJ O'Connor's personal website for information on this book, the sequel, and other works.

Posted by Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

Garrett Calcaterra answers questions live

A helpful tool for those aspiring writers out there who need a little inspiration from those who have made it in the business are the live chats with authors on Reddit.com

One of KC&A authors, Garrett Calcaterra, is actively involved with helping emerging authors, students, or book-nerds like myself.  Read his forum discussion here and follow him on twitter to stay in touch and catch him live for his next online event.

Read more about Garret on his personal website, check out his latest (and quite awesome) novel Dreamweilder on amazon, and download his super popular ebook The Knight's Dog on Wattpad.

Cheers!

Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

A Sweet Review for BORDEAUX: THE BITTER FINISH

The Midwest Bookwatch Review is a monthly online book review publication showcasing reviews and commentaries from both staff and contributing editors and reviewers.  In the June edition, Klausner's Bookshelf featured a sweet review for our very own Janet Hubbard's Bourdeax: The Bitter Finish:

American wine critic Ellen Jordan asks NYPD Detective Maxine Maguire to act as her bodyguard while she visits Bordeaux, France. Once in country Ellen asks French speaking (from her mom) Max also to protect one of the four wine magnums valued at over $30,000 each by auctioneer Paula Goodwin though the American believes these are worthless frauds.

At the annual regional wine tasting gala in Lussac, experts test the contested wines for authenticity. However, Ellen dies from asphyxiation in her hotel room and the magnum Max left in the hotel safe has vanished. Max believes her client was murdered so she persuades her former lover French magistrate Olivier Chaumont and Commissaire Abdel Zeroual to allow her in on the investigation.

With a nod to Ellen Crosby's Wine Country Mysteries (though in France rather than Virginia) the second Vengeance in the Vineyard Mystery (see Champagne: The Farewell) is a super whodunit as suspects straddle both sides of the Atlantic. Fast-paced from the moment Max learns Ellen died, readers will enjoy this solid whodunit as questioning those with motives seems to disprove Vino Veritas.

Cheers -- I'll drink to that!

For more information about Janet, her books, and her wine visit her official website and follow her on twitter.

Posted By Book-nerd/Wine-snob Intern Stacy Briscoe

Michael F Barrett's SHOSHANA

Dan Woog, freelance writer and blogger, states, "Authors are always told: 'Write what you know.'"  So, why does Michael F Barrett's first published novel, Shoshana, have a synopsis like this:

In this gripping new thriller, rookie cop Artie Donnelly is pushed to the edge as he struggles with powerful forces that drag him into the dark abyss of neo-Nazis protecting a war criminal, a guard from Treblinka who's resettled in America...An accomplished portrait painter who has become a police suspect-composit-artist, Artie comes face-to-face with the horrors of the Holocaust.

Turns out KC&A author knows a thing or two about police work and Nazi extermination camps.  Read Dan Woog's full article here to learn more.

For more information about Michael F Barrett, check out his personal website and blog.  

Pick up Shoshana at your local bookstore or on Amazon, also available in eBook for Nook or Kindle.

Posted by Intern Stacy Briscoe

Book Bloggers Review TJ O'Connor's DYING TO KNOW

A dead detective solving his own murder mystery?  Book bloggers are blowing up their pages about TJ O'Connor's unusual perspective of a classic genre.

"The reader is treated to unique antics and seeming magic," says Joseph Arellano from Joseph's Reviews.  "Well recommended."  See the full review here.

And J.P. over at CrimeSquad.com found O'Connor's novel "to be highly entertaining and completely addictive [...] a great debut into a competitive section of the crime genre and hopefully the first of many in this 'Gumshoe Ghost Mystery' series," rating it a 4/5.  Check out the complete review on the site.

And who loves mysteries more than a site entitled I Love A Mystery?  Aylah Foureste highly recommends this "fascinating read."  Read the short but sweet review here.

So, dying to know more?  Read more reviews posted on our blog.  And check out TJ O'Connor's official webpage and connect with him on Facebook for more information about this novel and other works by TJ O'Connor.

Posted By Intern Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

More Outstanding Reviews for Vaughn Entwistle's THE REVENANT OF THRAXTON HALL

Recently released in the US and soon to be released in the UK, The Revenant of Thraxton Hall has already received glowing reviews by critics and everyday readers alike (click here, here, and here to read a few), and the praise just keeps coming.

Amy Eller Lewis (@amyellerlewis), from CriminalElement.com says this book checks off all the things she's looking for in a quality Holmsian murder-mystery:

"19th Century London? Check. A Crumbling Gothic Mansion? Check. Murder? Seances? Underground crypts?  Arthur Conan Doyle hallucinating the ghost of Sherlock Holmes? Oscar Wilde and fabulous outfits? Check, check double check."

Read the full review here.

And Steve Taylor-Bryant (@OpinionGeeks) from TheCultDen.com finds himself engrossed in the scenes, settings, and characters:

"Doyle is well written and Oscar Wilde, in the almost Dr. Watson role, was a brave and exciting choice which works incredibly well. The setting itself is reminiscent of any ye olde gothic ghost story and Entwistle proves himself a very capable provider of atmosphere."

Read the full review here.

Super excited to read this book and learn more about this gargoyle-sculpting author?  Visit his personal website and follow him on twitter.

Posted by KC&A Intern Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

Philip Donlay's DEADLY ECHOS -- a "ripsnorting adventure"

Deadly Echos is Donlay's fourth thriller featuring Donovan Nash -- and it definitely doesn't hold back on the action, adventure, and "science possible" thrills readers of his previous works are used to.  As writer-editor-publisher-book reviewer David Marshall says in his blog Thinking About Books:

"...a rip snorting adventure [...] I’m not entirely sure what gas emerges from the rip but, when you snort it, it gives you extraordinary vigour as a reader."

Read the full review here.

Marshall points out readers will better enjoy the novel if they read the preceding books before-hand.  For more information on The Donovan Nash novels including Deadly Echos, visit Philip Donlay's personal website.  And don't forget to check out his blog and follow him on Facebook for more
personal information.

Posted by Intern Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

DP Lyle's RUN TO UNDERGROUND - Still Receiving Positive Reviews

Author DP Lyle has assisted writers of popular TV shows such as Law and Order, CSI:Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, Judging Amy, Peacemakers, Cold Case, House (a personal fav), Medium, and the recent successful Pretty Little Liars -- no wonder his latest original work, Run to Underground is receiving such excellent reviews from professional critics and book-nerds alike.

Here's another positive blog post from Mama's Book Corner, who says she "had a hard time putting it down."  Read the full review here.

Visit DP Lyle's personal website to learn more about his books, special events, and radio blog.  And don't forget to check out his book review blog The Writer's Forensic Blog.

You can also follow him on twitter @DPLyleMD.

Post Brought to you by Stacy Briscoe -- Intern and self-proclaimed book-nerd -- follow @SLBriscoe

4 Stars for TJ O'Conner's Dying to Know

"...the writing beautiful and the story overall haunting, charming, and engaging..."

Long and Short Review is enthralled with this "clever murder-mystery with a twist," and knows readers will be Dying to Know what happens as Detective Oliver Tucker sets out to piece together the puzzle of his own death.  Read the full review here.

For more information on the author and his books, please visit his official website.

Post brought to you by intern Stacy Briscoe @SLBriscoe

Terri Nolan's GLASS HOUSES Receives a Starred Review from Kirkus!

Nolan continues what promises to be a long and lovingly crafted saga about the strains and gains of love and loyalty.

Read the entire review here.

GLASS HOUSES is the second novel in Nolan's Birdie Keane series. Kirkus also liked her first, BURDEN OF TRUTH, but was a little more cautious with praise: "Nolan packs quite a twist in her debut, but Birdie’s tour through pedophilia and rampant homophobia will make this a tough tale for many readers."

Congratulations Terri from KC&A! We are all very proud of you.

Find Terri: terrinolan.com

Follow KC&A: @K_C_Associates

Holly West is interviewed by The Big Thrill

The Big Thrill is a fan of Holly West's debut novel, MISTRESS OF FORTUNE.

"While Mistress is her novel debut, it’s clear she’s studied the craft of writing."  

-Dawn Ius The Big Thrill

Check out the full interview here.

Follow Holly: @HollyWest

Great review for TJ O'Connor's debut novel, DYING TO KNOW.

"O'Connor does a wonderful job of conveying the feeling of urgency about the case as well as the frustration of Tuck adjusting to his new 'life' on the other side. The story is so good that readers may tend to momentarily forget that Tuck is a ghost."

-Valerie Porter of BookPleasures.com

Read the full review here.

Visit TJ O'Connor.

Follow KC&A @K_C_Associates

REVENANT is Making Waves Through The Bloggersphere!

Vaughn Entwistle's THE REVENANT OF THRAXTON HALL: THE PARANORMAL CASEBOOKS OF SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE is garnering some great reviews on the web. 

Book Bound: I found the cast of the strange and vexing mass of Séance experts and other oddities to be hilarious. It was the perfect mix of two literary legends and some other folk who made the book strangely unnatural, with backstories that permeated through all of the different plots.

Library Mom: Read this exciting first book of The Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle series. Can’t wait to read the next book!

A Bookish Girl: This one was definitely a page-turner for me!

BUY IT

Follow author, Vaughn Entwistle @VaughnEntwistle.

Follow us @K_C_Associates.