"Parched"
Release Day
4.14.16
A family’s desperate struggle to survive in a world where water is more valuable than gold.
by author
Andrew C. Branham
Available on Amazon
Midwest Book Review—Diane Donovan, Editor/Senior Reviewer.
“Parched holds several surprises; not the least of which is its ultimate direction. Readers used to the typical linear progression of many apocalyptic reads will find something unique and special in Parched: highly recommended for any who want a powerful thriller with a strong environmental message.”
****
Jacky Donovan, author of Amazon bestseller Simon Ships Out: How One Brave, Stray Cat Became a Worldwide Hero.
“A gripping thriller that vividly and creatively brings the potential terrors of climate change to life, Parchedis an engaging and immensely believable novel that captivated me with every twist and turn of its plot.”
The sun has become a ‘red giant’ and the world is hot and parched. In California, James and Lexie Deforio have three goals: to find food and water, to survive another day, and to protect their two children. When their home is abruptly robbed and burned to the ground, the family is forced to embark on a cross-country journey in search of safety and water.
Facing ruthless bandits, murderers, and some of the most extreme conditions they have ever encountered, they struggle to survive. When James is shot trying to help another family, Lexie and her children set out on a harrowing journey to save him. Finding temporary safety in the abandoned Ohio salt mines deep under Lake Erie, they appear to have found a new home. But, like everything on their journey, not all is as it seems.
Andrew C. Branham was born in the culturally rich town of Lorain, Ohio – a few miles West of Cleveland and on the shores of Lake Erie. He is the son of two educators and has an older sister that lives in Michigan.
Andrew attended Lorain High School and then proceeded to get his bachelors degree from Bowling Green State University. He majored in environmental science with a minor in business administration.
Upon graduation, Andrew entered the business world working for a major food company. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder and was soon promoted. As his career continued to flourish, he relocated to different cities 12 times (all over the United States). Today, Andrew is an executive working for a food company out of Jackson, Michigan. He is married to his long-time partner and they have one daughter.
In his spare time, Andrew enjoys family, cultural dining, reading, writing, Cleveland sports, and exotic travel. He has traveled all over the world to experience other cultures and religions. His favorite destinations are Costa Rica, Oman, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Italy, and Bora Bora.
Andrew was inspired to write his first book, Anything for Amelia after he went through what many industry experts deemed ‘the most difficult adoption in U.S. history’. During his 206 day ordeal he kept a daily journal from which the book is based. It is the first memoir that explores the true dark side of the adoption world.
In April of 2016, he released his first fiction book, Parched, to rave reviews. The book is a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world where water is more valuable than gold. It is currently being sold on Amazon in print and Kindle.
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Dr Dude: A Michaela McPherson Mystery
A New Series Starter
by Best Selling Mystery Thriller
Author Judith Lucci
Hey everybody, I want to welcome you to my new series, Michaela McPherson Mysteries. The series is set in Richmond where Irish born Michela (Mic) McPherson, a former Richmond homicide detective her retired police dog Angel, and best friend and side kick 82 year old Italian Countess Dorothy Borghase are up to their ears in solving crime that requires quick thinking and ingenious solutions.
A young woman disappears after a job interview at a well-known dentist’s office in Richmond and Mic, Dorothy and Detective Slade O’Brien join forces to solve the crime…a crime with long reaching tentacles that spans continents and generations.
"Please don't do this to me. Why are you hurting me,” the young
voice sobbed. “I don't know who you are!”
A large hand with dirty, stained fingernails grabbed her shoulder roughly. “Shut up,” he growled as he shook her ferociously until her teeth chattered.
Her tattooed abductor terrified her as she focused on the snake tattoo on his hand. “Just let me go, and I promise I won't tell anyone," the young woman whimpered. “I promise.” “Shut up, or I’ll really hurt you,” the savage voice promised as he slapped her face and slammed her into the side of the vehicle. He shoved her again and bent her body like a pretzel. His body covered hers, making it impossible for anyone to see her from three sides. The young woman's voice raised to feverish pitch as another person pushed her into the trunk of her car. The monster pinned her arms behind her head and shoved her elbow against the spare tire. She winced as an excruciating, burning pain sent stinging shocks into her head. She cried uncontrollably and could not stop shaking. "Shut your yammer,” the man hissed softly, his face so close to her blindfold she could smell his foul breath. “If you don't, it’ll be much worse for you," he warned as he loomed over her, making her feel small and defenseless. She couldn't see him through her translucent blindfold but sensed he had dark hair. "Please, please, please just let me go. My father will give you a reward. He has a lot of money." As she made the promise, her teeth chattered violently. Tears streamed down her face, making her cough. She was unable to brush them away. The man laughed a slow, evil sound that caused chill bumps on her arms. "Your father doesn't have enough money to stop what we have planned for you, not nearly enough, so shut your pretty mouth and be quiet before I put your lights off." A wave of fresh sobs exploded from the terrified woman as she lay in the trunk of the car. Her body shuddered from head to toe, and she couldn’t control the tears streaming from her face. The noise infuriated her assailant as he glowered at his helpless victim. A feeling of euphoria settled over him. He loved watching helpless women squirm. He shook her head and pounded it against the trunk of the car. "I told you to shut up. If you don’t stop screaming, I'm gonna cut your voice box out. Do you understand?" Allison nodded and coughed. “Be quiet.” Allison heard a female voice speak for the first time. “I’d hate to mess up your pretty face,” she said in a singsong voice that frightened the young woman more than the snarl and guttural voice of the man. A wave of fresh sobs exploded from the scared woman, as she lay helpless in the trunk of the car. She thrashed around wildly. Where’d the woman come from? She tried to see her through her blindfold but she couldn’t. For some reason, she was more frightened of the woman. Her body shook, and her teeth chattered. “I hope the bitch doesn’t mess herself up,” the man commented. The woman stared at him. “You know what to do, so just do it.” The man hesitated for an instant, and the woman pushed him aside and glared at the helpless young captive. That was when the lights went out for Allison Massie. The woman stepped back with an evil smile on her face and murmured, “Well, I guess I shut her up.” Despite the choke hold, the woman glared at him defiantly. The tattooed man let her go and pushed her against the car. “Get back in the office and do damage control,” he snarled, “and don’t ever cross me again.” He jumped in the car and headed west.
Judith Lucci writes what she knows.....Hospitals, Patients, Physicians and Health Care. She adds suspense and intrigue along with well developed plots, vivid descriptions and memorable characters, and produces medical thrillers that few readers can put down.
Dr. Lucci is the author of the Alexandra Destephano Series, a series of medical thrillers that offer fans an escape into the busy world of a fictitious world-class hospital in New Orleans. The main characters are Alexandra Destephano, a nurse attorney who is legal counsel for Crescent City Medical Center(CCMC) and Jack Francoise, a dedicated, gnarly, unyielding NOPD Commander who covers the 8th Precinct and the French Quarter in New Orleans. Add dashing surgeon Robert Bonnet, Alex's ex-husband and her best friend and psychiatrist Monique Desmonde, and the cast is complete. Lucci's thrillers are a fast-paced, riveting medical thrillers that offer readers believable drama, and memorable characters and extraordinary thrilers that allow them to escape into the complex, often mysterious world of health care.
Watch for Dr. Lucci's new mystery series, Michaela McPherson, Private Eye. The series is set in Richmond where Mic, a retired Richmond homicide detective, her retired police dog Angel, and her side kick, 82 year old Countess Dorothy Borghase are constantly to their ears in crime and dangerous situations that require quick thinking and ingenious solutions. First release, Fall of 2015.
Virginia born Judith Lucci holds graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. She is the author of numerous academic and health-related articles and documents. Her novels are based on her clinical experiences, very active imagination and experiences living in New Orleans and Virginia. When not teaching or writing, Judith is an avid silk painter and multi-media artist. She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her family and six dogs.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudithLucci
Author Blog: http://author911.blogspot.com/
Website: www.judithlucci.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judith.lucci
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1SB7NSq
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb read for all lovers of outstanding crime thrillers.
By Enrico Grafitti on February 17, 2016
Queen of NOLA Medical Thrillers, Judith Lucci, starts a new series with ‘The Case of Dr. Dude” and it has all the promise of being a new bestseller for her avid fans. Set in Richmond, Virginia, the series features an ex-cop turned Private Investigator, Michaela McPherson, whose informal partnership with an ageing Italian noblewoman, Countess Dorothy (Dottie) Borghese, and backed-up by her retired police dog Angel, make for an intriguing and heart-warming trio that tackle the most brutal of crimes. In this first novel of the series the issue is the kidnapping and selling of young girls into the white slave trade.
The author’s impeccable research shows on every page as her protagonists delve into the mystery of the missing women and take on the Russian mafia in this fast-paced thriller. The skill with which Lucci has placed her readers on the streets of New Orleans in her medical thrillers is present here too and we quickly feel at home in Richmond, as the tale unfolds.
The story is solid; the villains despicable, and the protagonists people you will instantly empathise with in this complex tale. Mic and Dottie find themselves in a race against the clock to save the life of the victims and you will find your heart thumping with excitement as the story barrels along to its finale. A superb read for all lovers of outstanding crime thrillers.
****
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read
By Peter Martin on February 19, 2016
Another Winning Series!
Judith Lucci has done it again! She has created another great series filled with unique and interesting characters, great description and a complex plot with twists, turns and surprises. Michaela (Mic) McPherson is a retired homicide detective from Richmond, Virginia (Lucci’s home town) whose best friend is Dottie, an aging Italian Countess who, along with Mic’s ‘retired’ police dog, Angel, solve difficult crimes. As always, Lucci’s book is impeccably researched and peppered with suspense and intrigue. The trio in this book have attacked the global issue of human sex trafficking as Mic, Dottie and Angel tussle with an aberrant dentist, his crazed assistant and the Russian mob to rescue a young woman who disappeared after a job interview at Dr. Dude’s office.
Judith Lucci again has penned an amazing page-turner in the first book that is as.exciting and memorable as Alex Destephano medical thrillers. I cannot wait for the next Mic McPherson mystery.
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About The Author Muffy Wilson
Muffy, author of erotic, romantic stories about love, sex, hope and passion, was born in San Antonio, Texas, to traditional parents. With two older brothers, she was the youngest, the family "princess," indulged and pampered. She adored her older brothers, following them everywhere and was surrounded by love, stimulation, and pets. Her father was a career Colonel and pilot in the U.S. Air Force which required the family to travel extensively. The family lived in most points between Alaska and France. Muffy spent her formative years in Europe and came of age in France.
Returning from France with her family, Muffy finished high school in Northern California and attended the University of California, Davis, and majored in Business Management. Muffy entered the work force, independent with a fierce work ethic reaching the pinnacle of her success when, at 36, she became the Mid-West Regional Director in the Real Estate and Construction Division for IBM and retired at 39. She and her husband moved to a small Island in northern Wisconsin where they owned a historic tavern, restaurant and resort business which they since have sold. They now live a charmed life by the water in SW Florida. Muffy pretends to be a serious real estate business person but, in real life, indulges her private interest in writing sexy short stories and sensual literotica.
~ Live, Laugh, Love with Passion
Author Muffy Wilson
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"Behind The Scenes"
For the next 10 weeks follow along as we go behind the scenes of Fred's Diary 1981.
Robert Fear takes us on his journey, as he travels in Asia taking daily notes in a diary.
This authentic look into his dairy has been extended by going behind the scenes with Robert as he reveals himself to us each week with an original inside look.
Fred's Diary 1981
Travels In Asia
by
Author Robert Fear
Behind The Scenes of
"First Impressions of Hong Kong"
with
"Pre-Travel Jitters"
written by Robert Fear
***
Brought To You
by
Rukia Publishing Book Promotions
"Pre-Travel Jitters"
With two days to go until I head off to Hong Kong the doubts and worries are worse than ever. Iâve never felt this way about my travels before. There has always been a sense of nervous anticipation during the days prior to setting off, but the feelings I am getting at the moment are much more intense than ever.
This trip has been a long time in the planning and I have managed to save a fair amount of money working in the bank in Frankfurt, Germany for the past fifteen months. I started as a messenger because of my lack of language skills but within a couple of months I had secured a position in the accounts department. The work was enjoyable, well-paid and rewarding. I also seemed to get on well with my German colleagues.
After my first spell in Germany when I lived with Rita at her parentsâ house, this time I had my own flat and a lot more independence, which I really enjoyed. I am already missing the great social life and the friends I have made in that short time. There was a tearful farewell with Rita, my on-off German girlfriend, who was very down when I left. I feel guilty about having been so selfish and not spending more time with her during the past few months.
Since returning to England a week ago, I have been catching up with family and friends and making final preparations for the biggest adventure of my life. Maybe that is why I am so on edge, the fear of heading off into the unknown. When I went on my four month trip around the US and Canada things were a lot more familiar.
Although I have been trying to hide my true feelings from everyone there was an occasion last weekend when I showed myself up. I was in London with a couple of mates who I had met whilst in Germany. We went on a bit of a pub crawl and had quite a few pints. Towards the end of the evening I got quite emotional and was in floods of tears. I think my mates were quite embarrassed and got me out of the pub and back to the place we were staying in double quick time. No longer do they think of me as Fearless Freddy!
What am I worrying about? My bags are packed, my passport is in order, and I have my £99 one way ticket to Hong Kong, plus enough money for at least six months in Asia. I am sure once I am on that plane these negative emotions will start to subside. First I need to get through these next two days though. Maybe Iâll pop down to the local pub and have a couple of pints (although no more) to try and steady my nerves.
http://www.abhk.org/ |
"First Impressions of Hong Kong"
An excerpt from Fred's Diary
I was soon outside and got my first taste of the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. Waited twenty minutes for a 201 bus to take me to Kowloon and sat dazed in the bus trying to take in the many sights amid the clamour of Chinese conversation, which to say the least is pretty loud.
After a ride of half an hour I got off the bus in Kowloon and within twenty minutes, with the help of a young Chinese woman, had located Chungking Mansions, a collection of supposedly cheap guest houses.
Eventually found a room free in one run by an old woman for HK$40. I tried knocking the price down for a longer stay but she wouldn't consider it. Being tired I decided to take it for one night and look around tomorrow for alternatives.
Got into the room and tried to get some rest. I got a couple of hours sleep disturbed by a TV being played loud in the next room. One thing I'm going to have to get used to here is noise. It is now 8:30 p.m. and I am going to go out in search of something to eat and drink.
I returned to the room just before midnight after a fascinating if bewildering wander around different parts of Kowloon. Lots of bright lights, scores of different shops and stalls, amazing contrasts between rich and poor, the swish tourist hotels near the waterfront compared with the slums and beggars in the backstreets.
Saw a few western faces but not many. Had a meal in McDonalds of all places as I couldn't pluck up courage to go into one of the Chinese restaurants. Feeling a bit lost and far from home but hopefully that will soon pass.
Fascinating time capsule from the 80âs
NEWLY RELEASED SECOND EDITION
Synopsis
Have you ever wanted to read someone elseâs diary?
Would you like to experience travelling in Asia without leaving home?
Then this book is for you. Fredâs Diary 1981 is a fascinating insight into a young manâs travels around Asia in the early 1980âs. This is a unique opportunity to delve into Fred's daily diary, which details the 158 days he spent travelling around Asia. Follow Fred throughout his extensive travels to Hong Kong, Thailand, India and Nepal.
Appreciate the many friendships formed along the way with fellow-travellers.
Relive the highs and lows that he experienced during this fascinating journey.
Recognise the huge differences in technology, particularly communications.
Become immersed in the different cultures, peoples and surroundings of Asia in the early 1980's.
Understand more about the drug culture of the 1980's, especially in Thailand and Nepal.
Learn from Fred's youthful mistakes, especially if your dream of travelling to Asia becomes a reality.
To celebrate the coming new year, the price of Fred's Diary 1981: Travels in Asia has been dropped to £1.99 / $2.99 (was £2.99 / $3.99). Get your copy while this offer lasts:
getBook.at/FredsDiary1981
You can find out more about author Robert Fear on Rukia Publishing's
Meet the Author page:
Come back next week when we publish another original segment
of
"Behind The Scenes"
with
Fred's Diary 1981
by
author Robert Fear
The Book Nerd
I love books, I love reading and I want to give something back to authors in the form of reviews. So instead of keeping my thoughts abut books in my memory I am going to share it with anyone who is interested.
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