Many of our regular friends and fellow Bean enthusiasts already know Jim's work, Declaration of Surrender, which he published independently.   Regulars of the various writers forums also know him for his wit, his sense of fun and his devotion to family.  We are so pleased to welcome him to our little family.  Declaration of Surrender will be re-released through Inknbeans Press sometime in early November. If you've already read this intriguing 'what if' thriller, you'll be happy to know he's currently hard at work on a sequel.  If you'd like to know more about Jim, check out his page:  Jim Burkett, Secret Man of Mystery.

Welcome to the Bean, Jim!

ETA:  Because people asked, the cute blond in the photo is Maggie.

The Boss Bean, BG Pupps, Emjae Edwards, Michael E. Benson and Steven Revare. 

You've enjoyed the ink in Inknbeans Press for almost a year and now we're adding the beans. 

We've been working with a gourmet roaster in Florida called Blessed Blends, and they've helped us create our own private label coffee.  If you like rich, smooth, roasted on demand coffee to go with your book, Kindle, iPad or other reading device, you'll enjoy InknBeans Press Private Label Sumatra, Guatemalan, and coming soon, Costa Rican and Kenyan origins.  Starting in November we'll be offering book n bean combinations and gift sets, just in time for your holiday giving to friends, loved ones - even yourself. 

For those on you on the mailing list, Debbie Coe won our drawing this week.  She'll be getting an assortment of our new private label coffee.  Congratulations, Debbie and thank you everyone who participated.

Steven Revare is out proving that, not only can he write, he can read, too.  He's been in the other Manhattan this week. 

Michael E. Benson's been on the road, too, on his way to winter by the warm waters of the Gulf, but he's settling in and be back at the keyboard soon.  His latest book, due at Christmas, is a departure from the gritty crime thrillers he's been writing, and tells some stories of his family's experience in the Great Depression.  It might take place in Kansas and Utah of the late thirties, but the message couldn't be more contemporary; self sufficiency, hard work, love and honor.    Watch for The Life & Times of Young Sonny Tompkins in December. 

Emjae Edwards has a new book coming out with a holiday theme; Cactus and Mistletoe.  It's a collision of cultures and false impressions. The story of a woman trying to honor her family's wishes, longing to go home to her familiar traditions at the holidays and yet unwilling to abandon her quest.   Coming November 26th.


Our Ms. Pupps is still collecting entries for her next Win a Review contest.  Send her your first chapter at [email protected]

We have a few more surprises in the weeks ahead, so come back soon.

The Boss Bean

Tonight Steven Revare is appearing in Manhattan, Kansas, the home of his new book, Raw, a Novel.  If you're in the area, drop in at the Dusty Bookshelf around eight pm for a meet and greet.  At ten thirty, he takes over the mic at Auntie Mae's Parlor for a reading, some chatter and a few other goodies.  He promises to take his five-hour-energy-drink and take on dairies, computers, electronic publishing and David Hasselhoff during his discourse. 

If you miss tonight's gatherings, watch this space.  When Steven Revare and monster bull beverages meet, he could end up anywhere. 

If you're on the mailing list and purchased one of the qualifying books, time's running out to get your entry in for our drawing.  Get your secret question by Thursday, the fourteenth, and answer before the twenty first. 

Michael E. Benson's book, Alvarado's Woman - A Frank Petrovic Mystery, is featured at Spalding's Racket today. 

Emjae Edwards and Michael Benson both have books coming out in time for the holidays, so if someone you love is getting a new Kindle, iPad, Nook or Blackberry, they might like to have it decorated with a holiday themed contemporary romance, or a touching and inspiring historical novel. 

The Boss Bean

A couple of great reviews for our most recent releases:

Terri Taylor says this about Alvarado's Woman:

The book is wonderful!  I read about 5 pages each day because I don’t want to ever finish it.  It’s a great story.  I love every word!   I’m so into it that I would rather be home reading.  I love getting caught up in good stories

And Whitney Terrell, author of The Huntsman and King of King County, says:

Steve Revare is the freshest satirical voice to come out of the Midwest in many years.  His new novel, RAW, is a hilarious send up of state school politics, writing gurus, and the seamy underbelly of the dairy world.  Wry, vibrant, a master of invention and surprise, Revare establishes himself in these pages as a Calvin Trillin of the plains.  It’s a debut readers from coast to coast shouldn’t miss.

And if that isn't enough excitement for you, if you're not on our mailing list, you've missed out not only a discounts for Raw, a Novel, but a fun contest and an exciting preview of an upcoming feature of Inknbeans Press. 

Buy a book.  Leave a review.  Read a review.  Join the mailing list and get discounts and prizes.  Inknbeans Press.  One stop wonderful-ness.

The Boss Bean

It's here!  Raw, a Novel, our newest addition to the bookshelf, by our newest addition to the Hill o' Beans.  Steven Revare's affectionate look the center of America is something of a cautionary tale for those who believe the Midwest means mundane.  Steven makes Manhattan Kansas as much a character as his self absorbed writer - cum - Creative Writing professor, his one handed bartender, the ex wife who won't stay ex or the proprietor of the underground dairy.  When Carl Krauthammer decides to simplify his life, he discovers his Big City ways just might make him walking entropy in the Li'l Apple.  Available in all the usual places.   If you're on our mailing list, watch for a twenty five percent discount! 

Then get dressed!  Get a tee shirt inspired by Raw, a Novel.  Be the best dressed Lactivist in town.  Steven Revare's tee shirts and other oddities.

Yesterday, Michael E. Benson's chilling crime - thriller Openers was featured on the very popular blog Indie Spotlight.    It's a great interview and sample, and our thanks to Greg Banks and Edward C. Patterson for providing such a great venue for indie writers and small press.

And last week our newest Bean, Steven L. Revare, was featured in the Manhattan Mercury.  That's Manhattan, Kansas, the setting for his Raw, a Novel.  Here's an excerpt:

For most people, the word "Manhattan" conjures images of the Big Apple.  And for Carl Krauthammer, it did, too - until in an effort to simplify his life, he decided to try out the small-sized  version in Kansas. 

Krauthammer is the central character in "Raw", a new fiction novel focused on an English student starting afresh in Manhattan (Kansas, that is) after a stint in New York.  His creator, author Steven Revare, said he chose the location for Krauthammer's new life deliberately:  Revare himself lives in Prairie Village, and he's an admirer of Manhattan.

And further down the page...."I think his character is a little model for what's going on in the country," [the Boss Bean]
said.  "He starts out very successful in one direction and that falls apart on him, so he has to pick up and rebuild, and take off in search of his dream.  I think there a lot of people right now in the country who are in the same position."

And in conclusion, it says....Revare writes, "After living in the town for a while, seeing its physical beautify, getting to know the people and enjoying how simple it was to live there [Krauthammer] felt the town deserved a better self-image.  It didn't need a Johnny Kaw to attract people.  It didn't need comparisons to other places.  So far, he thought, Manhattan was putting on a good face all by itself."  Kimber Wallace.

Raw will be available in all the usual places September 30th. 

Speaking of Steven L. Revare, he'll be our featured writer at What Writers Write next week.

The Tag Team Expedition is doing great.  We're getting a lot of books linked there.  If you want to add your titles to the list (and check out some other writers, too) send your Amazon product links to [email protected].  Ms. Pupps will make sure they're listed right away.  

Check out our bean poll before it closes at the end of the month. 

Are you on our mailing list?  We've got a couple of very exciting promotions coming up, plus discounts on our next two releases. 

Come back soon.  The coffee's always on.

The Boss Bean

btw - Thank you, Michael, for catching my typo. 

We're busier and busier here at the Hill o' Beans, and we like it.  September 30th draws nigh, and with it the release of Raw, a Novel.  Steven L. Revare is going to be out in a few select cities talking not only about his new book but innovations this applications entrepreneur is bringing to the digital reading experience.  If you're in NYC, Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City, San Francisco or Los Angeles, and you'd like to have him speak at your civics gathering or book group contact us at [email protected]. 

Michael E. Benson promises us some surprises before the end of the year.  Rumor is Frank Petrovic might be going to London.  Check his blog for details.  But don't wait for his next book - go read Openers or Alvarado's Woman now.  Both are available for most digital readers and in print.  Check the menu for details. 

Emjae Edwards has two new titles coming up before the end of the year.  Watch for Just Doing Her Job, coming soon, and she also promises us a Christmas treat in November. 

Probably the hardest working bean in the brew these days is our faithful assistant, BG Pupps.  She's got her blog, she's started maintaining a tag list (if you want your books tagged at Amazon send her your links, if you want suggestions for books to tag check her list), and now she's become a book reviewer.  This week she reviewed P.A. Woodburn's Cries in the Dark.  Hit her Bones To Pick to find out what she says about this dark story. 

We've also got a poll going and we'd love to have your opinion.  We have a few surprises ahead, too.  New flavors and sweet treats will be added to the menu in the coming weeks.  Come back for a refill soon.  We're always open.

The Boss Bean. 

Our thanks to Emjae for the picture.   9/11

Yes, despite the red line stubbornly hovering on the searing side of the thermometer, despite the hurricanes battering our shores, and brush fires eating grass, trees, and houses, Autumn is here.  How do we know?  The calender still says summer for another three weeks, but Starbucks, the ultimate arbiter of the seasons, has brought back Spice Pumpkin Lattes and Frappes.  This isn't a promotion of a competitor.  This is confession of an addiction. 

Even with the Beanmobile permanently parked in the drive thru at our local purveyor of creamy-pumpkiny goodness, we're getting a lot done atop the Hill o'Beans.  Ms. Pupps, our intrepid assistant, has posted her first review for a non bean writer.  Take at look at her impressions of Lighting Out by Maria B. Murad. 

Michael E. Benson is working on some new projects, some for the Bean and some for other venues.  If you want to know what the creator of the Frank Petrovic Mysteries is up to, check out his blog. 

When he's not promoting his upcoming Raw, a Novel, Steven L. Revare is making music...or something.   It seems he's the drummer in a band that has no drums.  KMBC, the ABC affiliate that brought us an up close look at Steven L. Revare last week, is now featuring his band. 

Speaking of Raw, it's coming out 30th of September.  Read it with a cow you love.

Come back soon, the coffee's always on.

The Boss Bean

We're in the last lap in our run up to releasing Raw, a Novel, Steven L. Revare's step by step instructions on simplifying your life while complicating the life of everyone around you...and cheese.  The trailer for Raw is on Steven's Author Page (Who is this Steven L. Revare and why does he want us to get Raw?).    Steven was also featured on KMBC last weekend.  KMBC is the local ABC affiliate in the great plains of Kansas.  

Our Featured Author is still trying to corral all her naked men, and asks us to...um...bare with her.  We'll have Barbara's revealing essay by next week. 

Michael E. Benson's starting his own blog.  Stop in and say hello.

Our own Ms. Pupps has taken on the role of book reviewer, and to that end, offered to review a non-bean book in September.  So, she's going to review four books.  Watch her blog next month. Note to Bean...do not use Ms. Pupps as our accountant. 

We're keeping this update short to give you plenty of time to check out Steven's trailer for Raw, and his interview at KMBC.  Enjoy.

The Boss Bean

From Steven L. Revare's website Slugworth Entertainment Inc.

Judging a Book’s Cover By Its Content As we embark on the mad pace to get RAW ready for publication within a few months, one of the first items to check off was the design of the cover.

My publisher (InkNBeans Press) and I wanted the cover to have a single dramatic image because it would need to look good on Amazon, as an iPad icon, and in grayscale on the Kindle. We didn’t want it to feel sterile or artificial. The book takes place primarily in a rural area. This is a book in which the prairie and raw milk play a role. It would need to have an organic feel. We decided on a milk bottle in the middle of an expanse of grass.

My wife procured for me some antique milk bottles from her mom’s antique shop, Log Cabin Antiques in Lone Jack, Missouri. These are the kind made of thick, clear glass, thinner at the throat and then broad at the mouth.

I called the namesake of Julia Shapiro Photography to take the pictures. Julia prides her self on her analog approach to photography: real film camera, black and white stock, hand tinted prints. She does beautiful work.

We went out on a hot July afternoon to see if we could get the perfect picture of the milk bottle (filled with cold, whole milk). Oddly enough we located a bit of native prairie grass on the Sprint Campus, of all places. They have an area of native grass there, which you can see in the background. The stuff in the foreground appears to be mowed, so I dont think it counts as tallgrass.

Here’s a map that shows where we shot the pictures for the cover and the video for the trailer.

Looks sort of silly from this angle.

Julia shooting the cover image

So here it is, the final result:

The latest iteration of the cover.

We think it turned out great. It has the dramatic single image, a definitely non-Photoshop feel, and my name in big white letters on it.

So what do you think? Would you buy this book?

Nick Spalding recently decided to see what would happen if he sat down to write a book...and didn't get up.  The result? 
Life With No Breaks.  But he's not just an exhausted writer...he likes to promote other exhausted writers and today he's promoting our own Michael E. Benson on his blog, Spalding's Racket.  Go check it out.  You'll not only find Openers, but lots and lots of other good books from indie writers and small presses.  Ta, Nick.

Alvarado's Woman is available now at all the usual places.  If you're on our mailing list, you received a discount code for twenty five percent off the list price.

If you're looking for this month's InknPage, it will be a little later in the month.  Our featured author, the ever sizzling Ms. Silkstone, is re-releasing her intimate little conversation with five hundred or so men around the twentieth, so watch for her thoughts on What Writers Write (and How They Write It) then. 

Coming in September, we'll be cooling things off a bit with tall, refreshing glass of Raw.  Steven L. Revare - our newest Bean - brings us his look at readin', writin', 'rhythmatic and...cheese. 

Ms. Pupps, our office assistant extraordinaire, is offering a chance to do what she does best - give her opinions.  If you're a non-Bean writer who'd like an honest, fair and unpaid review of your work, submit the first chapter of your book to [email protected] by the 20th of August.  She'll choose the one she likes best, ask for the rest of the book, and write a review for you in September.  Who doesn't need another review for their work? 

The Boss

It's not just hot because it's summer, it's hot because we've got a brand new Frank Petrovic Mystery coming out in just a few days and because we've got a very spicy InknPage this month.  Our guest writer will be Barbara Silkstone, the author of The Love Investigator - 527 Naked Men and 1 Woman.  Whew!  Watch for it. 

Alvarado's Woman - A Frank Petrovic Mystery is the second in Michael E. Benson's series about the by-the-book cop with a gift for following procedures until they lead him to the bad guy.  If you want to know more about this bulldog with a badge, read last week's update featuring an interview with the character himself. 

Next month, our newest author comes aboard to answer the burning question; what do cheese, Wall Street, post-modernism and  La Leche League have in common?  The answer is Raw. 

Stay cool out there.

The Boss

FRANCIS ANTON PETROVIC

Kansas City Homicide Detective

 

Francis Anton Petrovic was born in the Strawberry Hill section of Kansas City, Kansas, a Slavic community.   A short time later his parents moved across the river to Kansas City, Missouri, where he grew up.  He attended Catholic schools and graduated high school when he was eighteen.  A year later, he enlisted in the Army for two years.  After basic training, he was sent to military police school and stationed in Germany.

When his tour of duty was over, he returned to Kansas City and joined the police force. He worked patrol for several years, and then switched to the K9 unit. He became an investigator and worked in all of the department’s investigative units except the one he really wanted to be in . . . the prestigious homicide unit. Finally, during the last few months of his active duty, he was offered an assignment in homicide and teamed with the unit’s only female detective, Maria de Leon, to work on cold cases perpetrated by a psychotic serial killer, the Riverside Strangler.           


               


1)  Have you uncovered any new evidence in the Riverside Strangler murders?

No, but we have looked at the old evidence in a new way which revealed a connection between the victims that was not discovered before.  We are hopeful that this connection between the victims will be expanded to include the killer.

2)  Without jeopardizing an ongoing investigation, what can you tell us about the Riverside Strangler? 

He’s probably a white male around thirty years of age, give or take five years.  He’s had serious problems with the dominant female in his life, probably his mother.  When he is on the prowl, he’s like an animal.  His senses are heightened.  He feels invincible.  The sex acts he forces on his victim before he strangles them are brutal.  In all probability he does these things to get even for some perceived injustice done to him by the dominant female in his life.

3)  Do you believe you will capture the Riverside Strangler?

Absolutely.  We have made great strides in determining his identity, and I believe it’s only a matter of a little time until we arrest him.

4)  Has there been a specific unsolved case in your career that you wish you had solved?

If you look at the statistics, you’ll see that most crime is unsolved.  Murder has the highest clearance rate and is the most serious offense.  Rape and robbery are also serious felonies, but only four out of ten rapes result in an arrest, and only about one in four robberies.  I don’t dwell on the failures.  I’m just happy I was able to solve as many cases as I did.

5)  Has working with a female partner changed you?  Has it changed your approach to dealing with suspects? 

No, not really.  Except when it comes to Hispanics.  When possible, Maria deals with them because they know her and she speaks their language.  A successful partnership depends on compatibility, and Maria and I are very compatible.  And her gender has never been an issue.  I’ve been in love with the same woman since I was ten years old, and I’m a good twenty years older than Maria.

6)  You are rumored to really enjoy surveillance technology.  What is your favorite new piece of equipment?   

Oh, the surveillance van without a doubt.  I’m really enamored with all that electronic gadgetry.

7)  What advice would you give a young person considering a career in law enforcement? 

Stay in school at least until you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree.  The degree is the key that will unlock many doors for you.  Law enforcement isn’t just working for a police department.  Every bureau in the federal government has an investigative branch.  You have to have the degree to qualify and expand your options.

8)  Who is your favorite fictional detective?

Elementary, my dear Watson.  Sherlock Holmes, of course, because of his scientific approach to solving crimes at a time when forensic science was in its infancy.  Sherlock had a very ordered approach to crime which we still use to some extent today.

9)  Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

That is a question for a philosopher, not a criminal investigator.  But since you asked, I’ll tell you.  It has now been scientifically proven that the chicken came first.  There is an ingredient in the composition of egg shells that only comes from the ovary of a chicken, hence there could be no egg until a chicken produced it.  And if you have any more stupid questions, don’t hesitate to ask someone else.

10)  Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Well, I’m retiring in a few months and I’m also getting married to the love of my life, who has finally moved in with me.  I’ve waited for her for forty years, and now it’s finally going to happen.  After that, I plan on starting an investigative agency.  So in ten years, I see myself as a partner in one of the most prestigious private investigation agencies in the country.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





Read more about Police Detective Petrovic and the Riverside Strangler in Openers by Michael E. Benson.

We've been at war, here at the Hill o' Beans; battling time, an ever growing to do list, vacationing staff, and one sick writer.  Emjae Edwards managed to deliver her sixth book, and retired to her swooning couch for the last week.  We're hoping she'll be back at her keyboard this week. 

Emjae's not the only one who made an addition to our shelves.  Michael E. Benson's second in the Frank Petrovic series, Alvarado's Woman will be available in August.   Also in August, you'll get to meet the newest addition to the pot, when Steven Revare is featured on Inknpage. 

We're on Facebook now, too.  We're not exactly sure what this means, but Emjae says it is a good thing, and would a woman who believes in chivalry, afternoon tea and that the Dodgers can still make a comeback lie to us?  We think not.

Pick up her new book today. 

If you're not on our mailing list, you missed out on a 25% discount for The Lady Must Decline.  Don't miss the next discount - sign up today.  

Boss Bean

We're pleased to announce Kristie Leigh Maguire as our featured author this month.  She's given us yet another wonderful insight into What Writers Write, on our InknPage.    If you enjoyed her essay, drop in at her website and let her know...or pick up one of her books! 

Emjae's virtual booksigning continues through the fifteenth.  Pick up your copy soon.

Emjae's sixth book, The Lady Must Decline, will start off with a coupon for everyone on the mailing list.  If you want to get her newest title at twenty five percent off, and get updates and announcements of other fun stuff, join the mailing list today. 

Stay cool out there...

The Boss and Ms. Pupps.

It's July and we've got a full bodied pot of goodness going for you.

Our virtual booksigning is ongoing.  Emjae clutches her Sharpie to her breast, and waits, ever poised to sign and say thank you.  It's a pretty good deal.  For $2.59 plus S&H ($0.28), you get a suitable-for-framing/bookmark/decorating/fanning yourself postcard featuring the cover art of A Plane Proposal, signed by Emjae. On the back, you'll find, along with our thanks, a code for a free digital copy of A Plane Proposal in any e-reader format available at Smashwords.com 

Emjae has been doing more than autographing books, however.  Her sixth contemporary relationship fiction will be out this month.  The Lady Must Decline is a romantic suspense boomerang of action and emotion. 

Michael E. Benson has been working so hard he blew up his computer!  It died valiantly, however, delivering two new books; Alvarado's Woman, the next in the Frank Petrovic series, will be out in August, and then there is his foray into the Young Adult market with a semi - biographical work that reads like Tom Sawyer in the Great Depression.  Watch for details. 

Kathie Leigh Maguire, author of Second Chances, among other pretty steamy romances, will be our featured author this month on InknPage.  Watch for that fun look at the writer and her work on the eighth of July. 

We'll be back soon with more updates and announcements.  In the meantime, have a safe and sane holiday. 

The Boss Bean (and Ms Pupps)

It's more than half way through June, and it has been a busy, uplifting and occasionally disappointing few weeks.  Openers had its best sales day yet, thanks in large part to the folks at KindleKorner groups at Yahoo.  Overall, sales are picking up, and we're delighted. 

If you enjoyed Openers, and Frank Petrovic, you'll be happy to know there's another in the series, coming out in August.  Alvarado's Woman is a quick story, featuring Frank going after the kidnapper and killer of little girls. 

Speaking of Openers, and its author, did you read Michael E Benson's column this month for InknPage?  If not, check it out. 

The booksigning has not been as successful as we'd like.  We hope that will change by end of month.  Doesn't everyone want a 4 x 5.75" suitable for framing postcard featuring the cover art for Plane Proposal and Emjae's autograph?  Oh, yes, it comes with a book, too.  On the back is a coupon for a free digital copy of the book redeemable at Smashwords.  Order yours today. 

We'll be back soon with more exciting announcements.

It's a virtual booksigning for Emaje Edward's A Plane Proposal.  Go to our Book Signing page for details. 


No Greater Love is live at Amazon, finally!

Openers had its best sales day yet June 10th.  Thanks, bOb, and all the great readers at KindleKorner (Yahoo Groups).  If you have a Kindle (or any e reader) or want to get one, join KindleKorner at Yahoo Groups.  They know everything - and they know it. 

No Greater Love is now available.   If you're on our mailing list, check your email for a twenty five percent discount at Smashwords.

There's a lot brewing this month at Inknbeans Press

June 5th is the release date for Emjae Edwards' fifth book, No Greater Love.  If you are on our mailing list, watch for a coupon code for twenty five percent off at Smashwords. 

June 10th will be our next edition of InknPage, this month featuring the thoughts of our own Michael E. Benson.

June 20th will be our first book signing.  Details to follow. 

Got a question?  Have a comment?  Want discounts, previews and special offers?  Drop us a line at Got Something To Say or sign up to be included on our mailing list.  We'd love to hear from you. 

Fiona has loved Tremaine since she first understood what made a girl's heart do a little dance inside.  He's handsome, successful, charming, moody, needy, and completely clueless.  He loves Paullette, who is not above stepping on his heart to get where she thinks she belongs.  Fiona has the power to stop the romance, and achieve everything she's ever dreamed about, but sacrifices her chance of happiness for the hope of his. 

Dane has the power to take Fiona's life from bleak to bright even though his heart lies elsewhere, and he sacrifices his happiness to help hers. 

How much sacrifice is too much?  When is love no longer enough? Find out June 5th.  No Greater Love, by Emjae Edwards.

If you're on the mailing list, you can get twenty five percent off cover price.  Sign up now.

Emjae Edwards' new release, No Greater Love.  Love so often means sacrifice.  What would you do for the person you love? 

Two promotions are coming up in June.   If you're on the mailing list, you'll get a chance to buy Emjae's new book at a discount.  And...for the other, well...we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. 

Also, look for a new edition of What Writers Write, featuring our own Michael E. Benson. 

Openers is now available at Amazon.com for $1.99 

Openers is a chilling look into the mind of a killer, and into the minds of the men and women who hunt him.  It's CSI with street cred.  It's based on actual events, and written by a former police investigator.  And Openers opens for business, Wednesday, May 5th.  Join our mailing list and get 10 percent off the price at Smashwords.com this week. 

New to Inknbeans

We're taking names and mailing stuff.  Join our mailing list to get advance previews of new releases, updates, special offers and discounts, and a chance to ask our authors questions. 

Coming in May

Openers, a chilling view into the mind of a serial killer, and the policemen and women who are trying to stop him before he kills again.  Told in a clinical and informative style, it is 'part police report, part diary'.   This isn't CSI, this was written by a former police investigator and instructor, showing all the progress and failure of a criminal investigation. 

Inkinpage - an occasional feature, written by writers in various genres, about their particular process in developing a story, and getting the story to the page, and ultimately to the reader. 

The Ultimate Reading Experience, a special, unique way to enjoy the books offered at Inknbeans.  Details coming soon.

Scottie McArdle had never known the love of family until she met the Howards.  When they asked her to distract their eldest son before he made what could literally be a fatal mistake, she had no idea that she'd be asked to make decisions that could affect her for the rest of her life. 

Lane Howard was rich, handsome, powerful,  miserable and dying.  He blamed all women for the actions of  the woman he could not forget.  Despite Scottie's willingness to do whatever would make the all too few and all too precious months of his life happy ones, he doubted and suspected her, and even tried to destroy her.

 

WARNING:  This book contains reference to a non consensual physical encounter. 

On Sale Now. 

 

Calling All Hearts will be released Thursday, April 15th.  Here's a sample:


It was on the first page of the second section:  a picture of Marjean and Lane, her head on his shoulder, him smiling, the back of Scottie’s head, a caption that read that Marjean Harris and her old ‘beau’ were renewing old acquaintances at Sardi’s, along with an unidentified companion.  Scottie closed her eyes and tried to remember Lane smiling when that photograph was taken.  It seemed to her he had just looked painfully embarrassed. 

She put the paper aside, and stood.  Inside, Lane was in the bathroom, showering.  She made the bed, even though she knew it annoyed Burton, laid out her clothes for the day and waited, wondering what she was supposed to say to Lane, yet sensing that something must be said.

In a few moments he came out, a black bath towel knotted at his hip.  She had to catch her breath at the sight of him.  No matter how miserable he made her by loving another woman, there was no denying that he was a good looking man, a man who knew how to give a woman pleasure, and if she wanted to exercise her legal rights, she could keep him from giving that pleasure to anyone but her.

He stalled when he saw her.  He opened his mouth, but nothing would come out.  Finally he stopped struggling to find some innocuous thing to say and sighed.  “You saw the photo?”

What else could she say? She looked away and nodded. 

He became uncharacteristically defensive.  “Scottie, you were there, you know how all that happened.  You know you don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Oh, I know.”  She lowered her eyes.  She understood now why he had been so distant and unhappy that morning, and she didn’t want to make him any unhappier, but she had a desperate need to convey to him that if he was still interested in Marjean that she did not want to know about it.

“Listen, Scottie, I know would be a lot easier on both of us if there wasn’t any history between Marjean and me,” he dropped the towel almost defiantly and sat to put on underwear and socks, “but we can’t get around the fact that I was engaged to her at one time, and she and I had had a very passionate relationship for a while, even after that.  But it was over a long time ago.”

Scottie went to his dressing room to select a shirt for him.  “Of course, Lane.”

“You don’t believe me, do you?” he challenged.

She didn’t, but she wasn’t going to enflame the situation any more by admitting it.  Instead, she employed an old interrogation tactic she had learned on the Force.  “Of course I do.  Why shouldn’t I?  Why would you lie to me, Lane?” she asked, laying the shirt out on the bed beside her own things.  “It’s not as if we have to live with this hovering between us forever and ever.”  She jerked away from the sting of her own words.  What was happening to her, that she wanted to say such cruel things to him?

He didn’t seem to see it as cruel, only honest.  “Well, we do.  At least for my forever and ever,” he answered, taking the shirt and sliding into it.  “Scottie, I know we both came into this trying to be practical, to leave out feelings out of it, and that may have been a mistake.”  He paused, trying to choose words carefully.  “But it’s not a mistake we can undo.  I just want you to know that…that…” he stumbled, staring at the floor, bewildered.  “I just want you to know…” he stopped again, and pressed a fist to his chest.

Scottie turned around.  Lane was staggering against the bed, his eyes round with surprise, his dark face going pale, his lips faintly blue, his breath coming in great, heaving shudders.  “Lane?” she began, nervously, “Lane?”  She ran to him, trying to support him, as he lurched forward, still pressing his chest. 

He tried to push her away, but seemed to have no strength in his hands.  He fell against the bed again and slithered down to sit on the floor at the foot of the bed.  “I…I can’t breathe,” he gasped.

“I’ll call 911,” Scottie said, fighting panic, trying to be the trained responder she was supposed to be.  “Where is your doctor’s number?  Does Burton know it?  Just nod.”  She ran to the door to shout for the butler.

“Scottie,” Lane wheezed, struggling for air.  “In the…drawer,” he pointed weakly, “there’s a…”

Scottie obeyed quickly, fear pounding frantically in her brain.  This was it.  It was over already.  Not now!  I’m not ready! She protested feverishly, pawing through his things, finding a bottle and glancing at the label.  Nitroglycerin tablets, of course.   “Here.”  She knelt beside him, twisting the cap off and spilling the tiny rectangles into her hand.  “Open your mouth.”  She dropped one under his tongue when he obeyed.  She reached for the phone beside the overturned drawer. “I’m going to call 911, now. Shh…let the medications work.” 

As she made the connection, identified herself and the emergency, Burton arrived, helping his employer into a more comfortable position against the edge of the bed.  He seemed to know exactly what to do, and once he was assured that Lane had taken the medication, and that 911 had been contacted, he put a blanket over Lane’s legs and went downstairs to direct the Emergency team when it arrived.

Lane let his head fall back against the bed, still struggling for air, but the color was coming back into his face. “Oh, that’s better,” he sighed, letting his hands fall from his throat to his lap. He shut his eyes for a moment and opened them again.  “I think that was the worst one, yet.”

“What was that?  What just happened?” Scottie was trembling all over, the bottle clenched so tightly in her hand she was in danger of breaking it.

Lane waved it away with an insubstantial gesture.  “Nothing to get yourself worked up over,” he said, breathlessly.  “It’s not a heart attack.  It’s just my heart’s way of protesting when I get upset or stressed.”

“Has it happened often?” she asked, kneeling beside him again.  “Is it safe for you to drive?  Is it safe for you to travel?”

He nodded faintly.  “They don’t happen often, and never so bad as this.  I’m sorry, Scottie.  I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Well, of course I was scared.  What do you expect?”  Scottie was so scared she was almost angry.  “I thought this was it.  I thought you were going d-die right here.”

“Oh, I promise I won’t do that to you.”  He reached up and pulled her down to sit beside him.  “I’ll be very quiet about it.”

“That’s not funny.”  She pushed away from him.  “I was so afraid you were going to…to go and I felt so helpless.  Oh, Lane, I don’t think I can handle this.”  When she turned around, he was laying very still, his eyes closed once again.  “Lane? I’m sorry.  I’ll be okay, I promise.”

“It’s all right, Scottie, don’t apologize,” he said resignedly.  “I’m glad you feel comfortable being completely honest.”  He opened his eyes and searched her face.  “Are you saying you want out, now?”

Scottie looked down at the bottle in her hands.  Did she want out?  Never.  “No, you said this was a mis…this was something we couldn’t undo.  I’m here as long as you want me to be here, Lane.”

He gave her a faltering smile.  “To the bitter end, eh, Scottie?”  He began to push himself off the floor.”

“Lane, be careful.  Please, sit down…the ambulance will be here any moment.”

“Oh, no…I don’t need them, now.”  He eased up until he was sitting on the edge of the bed.  “Once the nitro does its work, except for a headache, I’m fine.”  He gestured toward the dressing room.  “Get me a pair of navy slacks, will you?  And stop worrying, Scottie.  Actually, this is a good sign, it means all my nerves and things are still working properly.  Oh, and thanks for the help.  Dad always said you had nerves of steel.”

Scottie looked again to her shaking hands.  “Not much like steel now,” she confessed. 

“Oh, come on, you’re a cop, you face down desperate men with guns before breakfast.”  He rubbed his chest.  “Don’t tell me a little myocardial infarction is going to scare you.”

“You know, my job isn’t like that.  Even when I was a beat cop, most of it was traffic enforcement and public relations.  The desperate men with guns were the exception, not the rule.”  Realizing that he was merely trying to distract her from the very real and alarming event, she held the bottle up and examined it.  “Sublingual Nitrostat.”  She shook her head and put the bottle on the bedside table.  “It says you should sit or lie down after taking them.  So…” she pointed to the bed, “sit or lie down.  I always associated nitroglycerin pills with old people with bad hearts-“

“Scottie, what do you think I am?”  He started to stand up, but she moved to block his efforts.  “Well, I’m a not so old person with a bad heart.  It runs in my family.  Didn’t my father tell you that?”

Scottie nodded slowly as a new fear gripped her.  This defect was congenital.  What if their child should suffer the same condition?  “Yes, I understood that.”  Well, I knew it, she conceded to herself, that doesn’t mean I understood it, until now.

Lane watched the ill concealed fears dance behind her eyes and he sat down again, his mouth screwed up in a frown.  “As soon as possible after you get pregnant, the baby must be tested for this condition,” he said, heavily.  “You can talk to my doctor and get the details.  Will you do that?”

“Of course,” she promised hastily.  He must hate me for being so afraid of something he’s meeting head on, almost liked an anticipated and welcomed friend.

“You don’t need to be too worried,” he said, buttoning the cuffs of his shirt.  “The chances are about one in four that our child would have this defect.  My grandfather was one of four sons and the only one to have it.  My uncle was one of five children, and the only one affected.  Trent’s heart is as sound as a dollar.  So is Dad’s.  And it only passes to male children.  So, really, there’s not a lot to worry about.  Now, will you get me my trousers?”

Scottie shook her head.  “You’re not going anywhere until you’re checked out.”  She turned to the dressing room.  “I’ll get your pajama pants if you don’t want to meet the EMTs in flagrante.”

“Ever practical, Scottie.”  He smiled.  Except for a greyishness around his eyes, there was really no indication of the man who, just moments before, was too weak to lift his hands, who had to fight for every breath.

Scottie tried to match his smile.  “Thank you for telling me about your family history.  That’s reassuring.  How did…how did…” She couldn’t make herself invade his privacy any more and ask the questions for which she wanted and needed answers.

“How did I find out about it?”  He took his pajama pants and stepped into them, carefully.

Scottie nodded, holding out a hand in support which he ignored.  “I suppose, even knowing it ran in the family, it must have been a bit of a shock.”

“Not really.”  He sat down again, sighing as if that little bit of effort had been more than he expected.  “We’ve always know I had this problem.  I was a sickly baby.  I guess I was a real burden to my folks, just starting out in life, trying to make ends meet on a patrolman’s salary, knowing that – back then – a kid like me usually didn’t survive.  But, against the odds, I survived.”  He bit down on his lip, frowning.  “The odds ran out a couple of months ago when I went in for an insurance check up and they found that my condition was deteriorating at an accelerated rate.”  He shrugged.  “I can’t complain.  I figure I got thirty more years than I was entitled to have.”

The siren they had both been ignoring screamed up the drive.

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Boss Bean and Ms Pupps

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