inknbeans press
A Little (Raw) Milk in Your Coffee?
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
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
The Making of A Book Cover
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?
A Lot Of Noise About Books
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.
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.
A Fresh Pot
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
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
Roasting
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
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
Read This - It Builds Character.
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.
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.
Now Available - The Lady Must Decline, Emjae Edward's Newest Title.
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
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
Now We're On Facebook!
Inknbeans Press
Promote Your Page Too
Promote Your Page Too
Iced Coffee
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.
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.
Independence Day
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)
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)
The Pot is Half Full
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.
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.
Booksigning starts today June 11, 2010
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 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.
Feel Like Falling In Love Again?
No Greater Love is now available. If you're on our mailing list, check your email for a twenty five percent discount at Smashwords.
June 2010
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.
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.
Coming June 5th No Greater Love
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.
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.
June Will Be Bustin' Out All Over
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.
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.
Scare your Kindle. Buy Openers on Amazon.com
Openers is now available at Amazon.com for $1.99
Happy Cinco de Mayo...Bar Your Doors!
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.
30 April '10
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.
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.
Calling All Hearts On Sale Now
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.
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.
A Sneak Peak.
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.
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.
While the Boss is Away...
The Boss is away on personal business, so I'm going to take this opportunity to make you a great offer. The next seven people who purchase A Plane Proposal and leave a review at Smashwords.com or Amazon.com (or both) will receive their choice of either Wife in the Mirror or Learning to Be Irish absolutely free.
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Review the free book you receive at Smashwords.com or Amazon.com (or both) and I'll see that the Boss sends you a copy of the brand new book, Calling All Hearts, absolutely free, when it is released in April. Three books for the price of one! How's that for a deal?
This offer is limited to free digital copies.
Go. Read. It's good for you.
Ms. BG Pupps
But wait, there's more!
Review the free book you receive at Smashwords.com or Amazon.com (or both) and I'll see that the Boss sends you a copy of the brand new book, Calling All Hearts, absolutely free, when it is released in April. Three books for the price of one! How's that for a deal?
This offer is limited to free digital copies.
Go. Read. It's good for you.
Ms. BG Pupps
Read e books. They're good for you.
Get swept away for free. A Plane Proposal and Wife in the Mirror will both be free at smashwords.com next week. All we ask is that you read, encourage someone else to read, help someone to read. And when you're through, let us know what you think.
Boss Bean and Ms Pupps
Boss Bean and Ms Pupps
Happy St. Patrick's Day - Learning to Be Irish Available now (on computers and e-readers everywhere)
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