Special Guest: Judy Penz Sheluk interviews character Calamity Barnstable from SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC

Judy Penz Sheluk’s latest release is Skeletons in the Attic, the first book in the Marketville Mystery Series, and her first title with Imajin Books. The protagonist in Skeletons is Calamity (Callie) Barnstable, a thirty-six-year-old woman from Toronto. Judy recently sat down with Callie in her new home to find out why she moved to the commuter town of Marketville, which is located about an hour north of Toronto.

Judy: You’re thirty-six and single. By your own admission, Marketville is the sort of town where folks with two kids, a cat, and a collie come to live. Why the move?

Callie: Trust me, it wasn’t my idea. My father died recently in an at-work accident and he left me this house. I didn’t even know the house existed, if you can believe that. On top of it all, in order to inherit, I have to live here for a year.

Judy: The house needs some work, but how bad could it be? Plus I caught a glimpse of your next-door neighbor. He’s handsome in that hunky reality TV handyman sort of way, and I didn’t spot a wedding band.

Callie: That would be Royce Ashford, and yes, he’s hot and single. [blushes] But you didn’t let me finish. In order to inherit, I have to try and find out who murdered my mother thirty years ago.

Judy: Wow. Your mom was murdered when you were six? That must have been hard on you and your father.

Callie: I’m sure it was hard on my dad, especially since her body was never found and he was considered a suspect. But until the reading of the will, I always thought my mother had left us for the milkman or some other male equivalent. So the big shocker was finding out that my dad had kept the true story away from me all these years. I suppose that’s why we moved to Toronto when I was seven. I don’t have any real memories of living here, though I’m starting to get the odd flashback.

Judy: Why would your father put that clause in the will? Do you have a background in investigation?

Callie: Hardly. Before I moved here, I worked in a bank call center. But I’ve already found a few things in the house that have provided clues to my mother’s past. [shivers] Not everything was a welcome find. One of the things I found was a skeleton in the attic.

Judy: A skeleton? In the attic?

Callie: Uh huh. Among other things. I’d rather not say any more about it. Can we switch subjects?

Judy: Of course. Do you have anyone helping you?

Callie: [laughs] There’s this self-proclaimed psychic, Misty Rivers. She managed to convince my dad that she could help find out what happened to my mother—for a fee, of course. As if I was going to fall for that.

Judy: This sounds like it would make a great book. Do you mind if I write about your experience trying to solve a thirty-year-old mystery?

Callie: Let me pour you a cup of tea. If you’re going to write a book about me, I have a whole lot more to tell you…

SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC is now available for pre-order on Amazon Kindle for the special introductory price of $0.99 US (reg. $4.99). 

Find it here: http://getbook.at/SkeletonsintheAttic

Find Judy Penz Sheluk at www.judypenzsheluk.com, where she blogs about her writing journey and interviews other authors.

Get DIVINE INTERVENTION free!

Free October 10-12 on Amazon - http://getBook.at/DivineIntervention

CFBI agent Jasmine McLellan leads a psychically gifted team in the hunt for a serial arsonist--a murderer who has already taken the lives of three people. 

Jasi and her team members--Psychometric Empath and profiler Ben Roberst and Victim Empath Natassia Prushenko--are joined by Brandon Walsh, the handsome but skeptical Chief of Arson Investigations. In a manhunt that takes them from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria, they are led down a twisting path of sinister secrets. 

Free October 10-12 on Amazon - http://getBook.at/DivineIntervention

And pick up DIVINE JUSTICE, book 2 in the trilogy for $0.99 during the same dates via Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Excerpt from E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION, an Imajin Qwickies novella

Chapter One

The Grim Reaper often came knocking when it was unexpected. That was something Eileen Edwards had figured out years ago. So when the phone on her desk rang at just after eight in the morning on Sunday, February 8^th, she knew it wouldn’t be good news.

“Call from Law-ree Nor-man,” the androgynous call display voice told her.

Constable Larry Norman was a detective in Vancouver’s Gang Task Force—and her former partner.

Eileen picked up the phone and grimaced as a twinge of pain shot through her right hand. “Sorry I can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave your name and—”

“Really, Eileen? Is that the best you can do?”

“—after the beep. Beeeep.”

There was a slight pause. Then Larry said, “You done?”

She sighed and adjusted her reading glasses. “I hope this is a crank call.”

“I need a favor. I need you to find a street kid named Zipper.”

“You do know this is Family Day weekend and my first weekend off in forever.”

“But you’re already up and working anyway,” Larry said.

Eileen leaned back in the chair and glanced across the room. The white letters on the glass door of the office reminded her that E.Y.E. Spy Investigations had bills to pay. “How do you know? Maybe you woke me.”

Larry chuckled. “You’re in your office. I can hear your printer gasping for breath in the background.”

She glared at the hefty, aging machine that was busy groaning and vomiting up paper like Linda Blair puking up pea soup. Maybe the printer needed an exorcism. Papers scattered on the floor told her she’d forgotten to extend the catch tray again. Another sheet shot out, and she caught it before it hit the floor with the others.

“You know, you should really trade that antique in for a modern printer,” Larry said. “Maybe one built after 1990.”

“It works fine. Now what’s so important about this Zippy kid?”

“Zipper.”

“What did he do—kill someone?”

“No, the opposite. We think he witnessed a murder.”

“Poor kid.” She sighed. “What do you know about him?”

“Not much. He’s about fourteen. No priors. His mother is dead. Father unknown. He’s not a big kid—wears a Canucks cap and gets around by skateboard.”

Eileen scribbled notes on the back of the paper. “What’s his real name?”

“No idea. He was raised by the street. Everyone calls him Zipper.”

She frowned. “Is he a prostitute?”

“No. He’s just fast on a skateboard.”

“Then they should have called him Zippy. Tell me about the murder.”

“You know I’m not supposed to talk about an active GTF investigation.”

“I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

“Okay,” Larry said, lowering his voice, “but you didn’t hear this from me.”

“Hear what?”

Pre-order E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION today! http://getBook.at/EYEScorpion

ATTENTION: Solve a Book Crime Being Committed

Tonight, help me welcome talented author, Jesse Giles Christiansen, whose new release, CAPTAIN SHELBY, is releasing later this fall. In the meantime, Jesse invites you to become a video and book star. Jesse, thank you for being a guest here on The Suspense is Killing Me. Take it away...

As you read this, thousands of readers are missing out on the opportunity to have their profile pictures appear both in a rock video and inside a published book. I know, it is a heinous crime indeed!

What is the crime?

The crime is regret. The Facebook event involved in this crime, open to the public, June 10^th, may be one of the most unique events held in recent years. It’s far more than just huge prizes and fun activities, it comes with the chance to one day in the future, bring your fellow bibliophiles over to your grinning bookshelf and say, “I have a very unique collector’s item; I have a book by a rising author with my picture in the back. Check it out!”

How do I solve the crime?

Like all good detectives, it is paramount that you investigate the event thoroughly to see if there is any evidence leading to the crime. Every detective that joins the event, upon investigation, will reduce the occurrence of the crime by 2%. Once the event reaches 500 guests (currently at 306), the crime will be well on its way to being solved; 500 avid readers will have their pictures in the back of the prequel to the number one list bestseller, PELICAN BAY, entitled CAPTAIN SHELBY, coming out soon.  

How do I report the crime?

Once you join the event, you’ll notice that one of the big prizes is signed paperbacks for life from the author hosting the event. The person who invites the most friends will receive this prize. By inviting your book nerd friends, you are reporting the crime and thereby preventing it from being spread in the future. You can make a difference!

Who is the author?

Jesse Giles Christiansen is an American writer from Miami, Fl. who grew up playing in and around the ocean, now constantly enamored with the sea. He’s the author of PELICAN BAY published by Imajin Books, Amazon #1 bestseller in sea adventures, outselling OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Hemingway.

Can I Make a Civil Arrest?

Yes! You can make a civil arrest by telling anyone who refuses to go about the regret they may face in the future. You may also tell them about the importance of supporting rising authors in their literary community to help reduce this crime all around the world.

What if I’m Not Available on June 10^th?

This is a Facebook online event. All that is required is that you log into the Internet from anywhere in the world and stop by for a few minutes. And if you can’t do that, just be sure to fulfill the basic requirement for being in the video and book sometime during the day of June 10^th. Simply buy or gift PELICAN BAY for only .99 cents and post via Amazon that you did (on Facebook or Twitter). Very low price for immortality, don’t you agree? These days, sodas often cost more than that!

Sign me up!

Thank you! See you there!

Click here to join: http://ow.ly/xFopp 

Get DIVINE INTERVENTION for FREE!

Everyone needs a little DIVINE INTERVENTION. And now you can get it FREE at Amazon, Kobo and Smashwords!

Amazon: http://getBook.at/divineintervention

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/divine-intervention-20

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13677

CFBI agent Jasmine McLellan leads a psychically gifted team in the hunt for a serial arsonist―a murderer who has already taken the lives of three people.

Jasi and her team members―Psychometric Empath and profiler Ben Roberts and Victim Empath Natassia Prushenko―are joined by Brandon Walsh, the handsome but skeptical Chief of Arson Investigations. In a manhunt that takes them from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria, they are led down a twisting path of sinister secrets.

Sifting through ashes and clues, Jasi realizes that there is more to the third victim than meets the eye. Perhaps not all of the victims were that innocent. The hunt intensifies when she learns that someone they know is next on the arsonist's list.

Unleashing her gift as a Pyro-Psychic, Jasi is compelled toward smoldering ashes and enters the killer's mind―a mind bent on destruction and revenge. And in the heat of early summer, Jasi discovers that a murderer lies in wait…much closer than she ever imagined.

Book 1 in the Divine series

"Sci-fi and mystery fans will love this book." ―Writer's Digest

Be sure to share this post so all your friends can enjoy a free ebook and a little DIVINE INTERVENTION of their own.

Divine Intervention is on sale at Smashwords for only $2.50 until April 30

Smashwords has just released an e-book edition of Divine Intervention, a "sizzling" paranormal suspense thriller, and from now until April 30th, you can get Divine Intervention from Smashwords for only $2.50US! That's a savings of 50%.

Just use the coupon code: KQ82F

“A genuine Canadian crime novel...Tardif gives her readers plenty of twists and turns before reaching a satisfying ending." --Midwest Book Review

SOMEONE IS LEAVING A BLAZING TRAIL OF CORPSES BEHIND...BUT WHO?

CFBI agent Jasmine McLellan is assigned a hot case―one that requires the psychic abilities of the PSI Division, a secret government agency located in the secluded town of Divine, BC.

Jasi leads a psychically gifted team in the hunt for a serial arsonist―a murderer who has already taken the lives of three innocent people. Unleashing her gift as a Pyro-Psychic, Jasi is compelled toward smoldering ashes and enters the killer's mind. A mind bent on destruction and revenge.

Jasi's team, consisting of Psychometric Empath and profiler, Ben Roberts, and Victim Empath, Natassia Prushenko, is led down a twisting path of dark, painful secrets. Brandon Walsh, the handsome, smooth-talking Chief of Arson Investigations joins them in a manhunt that takes them across British Columbia―from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria.

While impatiently sifting through the clues that were left behind, Jasi and her team realize that there is more to the third victim than meets the eye. Perhaps not all of the victims were that innocent. The hunt intensifies when they learn that someone they know is next on the arsonist's list.

The case heats to the boiling point as Jasi steps out of the flames…and into the fire. And in the heat of early summer, Agent Jasi McLellan discovers that a murderer lies in wait…much closer than she imagined.

Divine Intervention appeals to fans of J.D. Robb and Kay Hooper and those who enjoy CSI, Medium or Ghost Whisperer.

Divine Intervention from Smashwords for only $2.50US! Code: KQ82F

"An exciting book from start to finish. The futuristic elements are believable...plenty of surprising twists and turns. Good writing, good book! Sci-fi and mystery fans will love this book." --Writer's Digest

“A crime novel at its best, with a Canadian twist, this book is a really thrilling page-turner, and is highly recommended..." --Allbooks Review

Divine Intervention is now available on KoboBooks.com

KoboBooks.com has just released an e-book edition of Divine Intervention, a "sizzling" paranormal suspense that can be read on your PC, smart phone (Kobo has great apps for iPhone, Blackberry and more), iPad and Kobo e-reader.

Get Divine Intervention from Kobo for only $3.89!

“A genuine Canadian crime novel...Tardif gives her readers plenty of twists and turns before reaching a satisfying ending." --Midwest Book Review

SOMEONE IS LEAVING A BLAZING TRAIL OF CORPSES BEHIND...BUT WHO?

CFBI agent Jasmine McLellan is assigned a hot case―one that requires the psychic abilities of the PSI Division, a secret government agency located in the secluded town of Divine, BC.

Jasi leads a psychically gifted team in the hunt for a serial arsonist―a murderer who has already taken the lives of three innocent people. Unleashing her gift as a Pyro-Psychic, Jasi is compelled toward smoldering ashes and enters the killer's mind. A mind bent on destruction and revenge.

Jasi's team, consisting of Psychometric Empath and profiler, Ben Roberts, and Victim Empath, Natassia Prushenko, is led down a twisting path of dark, painful secrets. Brandon Walsh, the handsome, smooth-talking Chief of Arson Investigations joins them in a manhunt that takes them across British Columbia―from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria.

While impatiently sifting through the clues that were left behind, Jasi and her team realize that there is more to the third victim than meets the eye. Perhaps not all of the victims were that innocent. The hunt intensifies when they learn that someone they know is next on the arsonist's list.

The case heats to the boiling point as Jasi steps out of the flames…and into the fire. And in the heat of early summer, Agent Jasi McLellan discovers that a murderer lies in wait…much closer than she imagined.

Divine Intervention appeals to fans of J.D. Robb and Kay Hooper and those who enjoy CSI, Medium or Ghost Whisperer.

Get Divine Intervention from Kobo today for only $3.89!

"An exciting book from start to finish. The futuristic elements are believable...plenty of surprising twists and turns. Good writing, good book! Sci-fi and mystery fans will love this book." --Writer's Digest

“A crime novel at its best, with a Canadian twist, this book is a really thrilling page-turner, and is highly recommended..." --Allbooks Review

Sunday Salon: Review of The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina

5 stars!

Gripping and mesmerizing from the very first chapter, Rick Mofina’s latest thriller explores a chilling conspiracy that is guaranteed to get your heart pounding.

A car crash in Wyoming, involving a young couple and their baby, sets The Panic Zone into rapid motion. The next day, a reporter in Brazil gets a call to meet an unidentified woman at a café; the woman claims to have a news story, and the documents to back it up. The reporter and her photographer friend have no idea what they’re walking into, and the resulting chaos sends World Press Alliance reporter Jack Gannon across the globe in search of the truth. But the truth is more shocking than anyone could fathom.

A twisted scientist gathers a secret group of conspirators and puts into action a horrific plot that threatens the very existence of mankind, proving once again that science can be a deadly plaything if it falls into the wrong hands. From human experimentation without consent, to a killer virus constructed from some of the world’s deadliest toxins and a unique delivery system that will chill you to the bone, The Panic Zone will keep you turning the pages.

With a storytelling talent comparative to Michael Crichton and Robert Ludlum, Mofina expertly weaves the plot with intricate, terrifying and believable details. The Panic Zone is excellently researched and the clearly defined chapters show alternating points of view as only a master writer could achieve. Another Mofina masterpiece―one I can’t recommend enough.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of The River
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Growing Hope by Stephen T. Berg is now available

I am very pleased to announce the release of Growing Hope: The Story of Edmonton's Hope Mission by Stephen T. Berg. As the title suggests, this is a historical account of the creation of Edmonton's Hope Mission, a mission that has counseled men and women with addictions, housed the homeless and fed the hungry.

Growing Hope is published by Guardian Books, a division of Essence Publishing. Copies can be ordered from http://www.essencebookstore.com.

While most of us are writing about fictional crime, many of us have experienced it. Some of us are survivors of terrible tragedies. I am tied to Hope Mission in a very personal way. My younger brother used their services before he was murdered in 2006. I was honoured beyond words to be asked to edit this book and did so willingly. Some of the stories presented in Growing Hope brought me to tears. Some could have easily been my brother's story.

I hope you'll check out this book and read it. For those of you who are researching life on the street for a story, this book may be quite valuable. For those of you who don't know much about the homeless, addicted or poverty stricken members of your community, this may help you understand more, maybe see a different side. It is such a comfort to me to know that my brother had these services and these people in his life.

To learn more about Growing Hope, please check out:
http://hopemission.blogspot.com/

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Canadian suspense author & book marketing coach
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif

A Gift of Chocolate, Coffee & Crime

For anyone living in Canada, you can now order a special gift at BuyBuyGiftBaskets.ca that contains your choice of my bestselling techno-thriller THE RIVER or my bestselling paranormal suspense thriller DIVINE INTERVENTION.

Also included is a mug and your choice of hot chocolate or coffee and your choice of biscotti or a chocolate spoon.

Chocolate, Coffee & Crime. What goes better together than these?

Sunday Salon: Review of Vengeance Road by Rick Mofina

Vengeance Road is a suspenseful ‘hold-your-breath’ ride, with twists and turns at breakneck speed

5 stars

Jack Gannon, a reporter for The Buffalo Sentinel, investigates the brutal murder of one prostitute and the disappearance of another, a woman who had picked herself off the street and cleaned up her life. The investigation points to one suspect—hero cop Karl Styebeck, a man with a secret past brimming with violence. Then there’s the mysterious blue rig that haunts the highways. How is it connected to Styebeck and the victims?

As Gannon digs deeper, he risks losing everything—his career, his reputation and his future. With help from Adell Clark, a former FBI agent turned PI, Gannon gets the inside scoop on the murder investigation. But this puts Gannon and Adell in jeopardy of losing more than their jobs.

Author Rick Mofina has crafted the kind of protagonist that readers will yearn to read more about. Jack Gannon is tough but flawed, and he’s like a pit-bull who won’t let go. In some ways, he’s emotionally disconnected, but the disappearance of his own sister years ago, pushes him onward. I hope the author continues with this character and his back-story. I’d love to see a series!

I think this is my favorite Rick Mofina novel yet! Vengeance Road is a gritty, top-notch thriller, with glimpses of evil thrown in to keep you turning those pages. Mofina’s former career as a crime reporter keeps the writing concise and descriptive, the characters well developed and defined, and the dialogue true and believable.

Vengeance Road is a suspenseful ‘hold-your-breath’ ride, with twists and turns at breakneck speed. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a heart-pounding race against time.

You can read an interview with Rick over at Mystery Fanfare.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Divine Intervention
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Sunday Salon: Criminal Minds at Work

Step into the minds of this group of talented, twisted, slightly psychotic crime novelists with a penchant for mystery, mayhem and murder. They write crime fiction or true crime that gets the heart pumping and the blood boiling.

These criminally inspired authors include:

• Juanita Rose Violini
• Austin S. Camacho
• Linda Merlino
• Terry Carroll
• Karen Harrington
• Arnold Wolf
• Cheryl Kaye Tardif

And they don't just talk about their own books; they often interview or write about other crime authors.

If you ever wonder how authors come up with their crimes--or their criminals--check out the multi-author blog Criminal Minds at Work.

"Divine Intervention is one of those books you never want to end!"

New review for Divine Intervention:

"A Definite Must-Read! Divine Intervention is one of those books you never want to end...A must-read for all mystery/crime addicts!"

--Lila L. Pinord, author of Min's Monster

Order Divine Intervention on Amazon as a paperback or a Kindle e-book.

Or order from other online retailers, including Chapters.ca.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Sunday Salon: An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt

4 stars!

Recommended for: anyone who enjoys legal thrillers

Read this novel and you’ll be guilty of one thing: immense enjoyment in a clever thriller!

Defense attorney Joe Dillard is burnt out and sick of defending guilty killers. He wants nothing more than to throw in the towel and walk away from it all. But first he wants one thing that will make his career worthwhile; he wants to defend one innocent client.

Angel Christian is a beautiful young woman with a secret and troubled past. She’s moved to Tennessee to waitress at the Mouse’s Tail, a steamy strip club owned by Erlene Barlowe. After one of the customers—Reverend John Paul Tester, who used his church’s money to fund his after-hours entertainment—becomes aggressive with Angel, a murderer sets out to make the man pay. The Reverend's body is found in a motel, minus an important body piece.

Agent Phillip Landers from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is a slimy, arrogant womanizer, and one of the least likeable characters in this novel. Landers will do anything to help prosecute this case and to settle old scores, even if it means convincing Dillard’s druggie sister to testify against her brother’s client and getting her to lie in court.

There are many other interesting characters, including Erlene Barlowe, the “madam” of the strip club who keeps her girls in line, even if it means telling them to lie. Her relationship to Angel is motherly, a trait that is intriguing. Erlene’s involvement in the case creates riveting twists and turns, and an unexpected conclusion that will leave you satisfied. And just when you think it’s over, the author throws in one last “hold your breath” scene.

An Innocent Client is an excellent thriller with compelling characters. Its only flaw is that the first half of the book has too much “tell” and not enough “show”, which bogs down the pacing. The second half is much tighter. Debut novelist Scott Pratt sets up the crime, invites us to the scene, allows us insight into the investigation, puts us in the jury box and delivers a strong close. Kudos, Scott!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of The River and Divine Intervention