Category Archives: Book Spotlight

Book Excerpt

Jane was in the garage, bending over and touching her toes when the door opened behind her.
“Going somewhere?” Danny stood there, shirtless.
Jane stood up abruptly and swallowed, trying to focus on his eyes, not his impeccably chiseled pecs with the perfect amount of hair dusting them. “I’ve been restricted to indoor running the last few days and need the fresh air.”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll join you. I need to talk to you about an assignment.”
“All right, try not to wake the baby.” She smiled.
He held her gaze for a moment, then turned to go get dressed.
“Both of the babies are still sleeping,” Danny said when he rejoined her.
Trying very hard not to be disappointed seeing him wearing a shirt, she opened the exterior door. Bodies like his shouldn’t be covered up.
As they started down the street, she could feel Danny’s eyes on her.
“What got you?” He gestured to her thigh.
“Shrapnel. What about this assignment?” A change of subject might keep her from having to answer questions about the white scars on the right side of her body from neck to thigh. When she’d dressed in running shorts and singlet, she hadn’t expected anyone to see her up close.
“I want you to guard Liz at my beach house in Georgia. She’s building her own house next door, but it’s not ready yet, and she sold her condo already. I don’t want her to be alone because of the pregnancy, and I want her protected from prying eyes, freeloaders, and reporters.”
Jane didn’t say anything. Not surprised he would stick her with another babysitting job, she tried to think of the positives. It was unlikely she’d get shot, unless it was with a camera. She’d never been to Georgia, and a house on the beach sounded like a good place to start.

How To Purchase:
Dance With My Heart and other books by Meda White are available through our bookstore.

About Meda White:
Learn more about Meda through her interview and connect with her through her author page.

Book Excerpt

“Love Wears A White Stetson”
Excerpt from Fortune Brawling
The Fortune Series, Story 2

Fortune Brawling: The Story of Dallas Fortune . (The Fortune Series Story 2.) is set to be released in March 2015. Best selling author Jennifer Theriot has contributed to the novelette and introduces us to Dallas Fortune’s BFF, musician Jodie Marie Jennings from Ft. Worth, Texas. You will also meet a new character named Tom Vanderfleet who recalls a quote from a guitar man long ago…Love wears a white Stetson. Here’s an excerpt from Fortune Brawling, where we meet Tom Vanderfleet.
~~~
THE BARTENDER
The cell phone rang at the exact time the email had stated. Nervously, I punched accept and answered.
“Hello?”
“Hello, please hold the line for Mr. Jordan Simmons.” With a click I was placed into a world of elevator music, wondering if this would be a good call or a bad call. Dallas won’t accept any calls from me or answer my emails. If I could talk to her, we could get this all going the right way. We don’t need lawyers or receptionists or elevator music. All we need is to see each other one more time. I will let her know the truth and we can have a real chance at happiness. If she will just give me that one chance I can explain everything.
A man’s voice brought me to reality. “This is Jordan Simmons calling you from Nashville, Tennessee. Our call will be recorded, as part of the legal procedure we are pursuing. In order to keep our discussion brief, please only answer the question you are asked. Do you understand?”
“Yessir.”
“Your full legal name please?”
Thomas Garrett Vanderfleet IV”
“Address?”
“238 Lookout Lane, Sand Mountain, Alabama 35951.”
“Occupation?”
“Currrently unemployed but…”
Please, only answer the question you are asked, Mr. Vanderfleet. Understood?”
“Yessir, I do.”
“Where you at Bud’s, located at 13786 Ringgold Road, Trenton Georgia 30752 on the night of March 31 of this year?”
“Yessir, I was there.”
“Did you meet a female by the name of Dallas Fortune?”
“Meet her? I married her!”
“Mr. Vanderfleet, may I call you Tom?”
“Yessir.”
“We’re going to follow a logical process of questioning here. Got it Tom? I ask the question you in turn will answer the question and nothing more. Do I make myself clear? Do you understand?”
“Got it, Mr. Simmons. I’m just all emotional like over this.”
“A completely human emotion, Tom. You’ve had a bit of excitement in a short amount of time. I’m here to help you get it all unraveled so that you can get on with your life.”
“What if I don’t want to get on with my life? At least not without her.”
A pen tapped on the table, with the tapping mirroring my heartbeat. After a pause, Jordan Simmons said, “Look Tom, Dallas is something else and one helluva woman, but I assure you, man-to-man, there is not a force on the planet that will make a woman stay with a man once she’s made up her mind to go. Now, I know that from personal experience. Once they’re ready to go, there is no way on earth to make them stay. This is off the record, by the way. No amount of money, flowers or gifts will do it. I know. Hell, I’ll be working til I’m eighty years old. I’ve got two ex-wives, three kids, a 28 year old girlfriend, well actually two 28 year old girlfriends, and I will never make any of these women happy. Look what Liz Taylor did to Richard Burton. He gave her the biggest diamond in the world. Didn’t work. She keeps the diamond. They’ve got what we want. If you get in too deep, you get addicted not only to IT, but to her. Those smart ones work on a man just like heroin or whiskey. You can’t get over IT and you can never get enough of IT. Sounds as if Dallas gave you a big dose of IT. Maybe more IT than you have ever had. Probably the best IT you have ever had. But, I guarantee you, once they decide they are over you, it’s done, it’s over, it’s like Rover and it’s dead all over. Now, can we get on with this? I ain’t got all day.”
“All right Mr. Simmons. You’re a little high strung, but I get your drift. Let’s get on with the questions.”
“To recap; you were at Bud’s on Friday night, March 31, earlier this year. While you were at Bud’s you met a female named Dallas Fortune. You can call me Jordan, if you’d like.”
“Yessir, I did. Thank you Jordan.”
“If you will Tom, please state what type of establishment Bud’s is.”
“Bud’s is what we call here a honky tonk. It has music, alcohol and Bud’s has the best fried boloney sandwiches in the Chattanooga area. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s there’s dollar beer night from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Wednesday is Ladies Night. All women get in free.”
“Sounds like my kinda place, Tom. Now, tell me what you believe happened that night.”

(C) 2015 Ra Jones Publishing

The Buzz on Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid characters cause the story to unfold before you
By Ghost Writer
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Fortune Brawling is a short yet wild read. It starts off pretty much near the end. Through several points of view, you are then exposed to morsels that solve the questions you’ve asked in the beginning. All of the (rather vivid) characters get their stories in while you watch the picture build before you. It’s a great, quick read for when you need to take a break from life and get in a good laugh. Warning: You will find yourself wanting to grab some whiskey, listen to country music, and read more.

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it
By Lilian Roberts
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

“Fortune Brawling” by Hunter S. Jones and Jennifer Theriot is a great short book that will leave you delighted and looking for more. It kind of reminded me of Thelma and Louise 🙂 I laugh out loud in many of the situations Fortune finds herself in. This is Nashville TN the capital of country and wild life for the entertainers. The book is very well written and the characters adorable. I loved each and every page of it and found it very hard to put the book down. I am a fan of both the authors and this book was amazing. It exceeded my expectations and I want to see more from them. What a great job!!!
The plot is unfolding in a very pleasant way and the reader will be eager to turn the pages. I know that this book is great for everyone who wants to spend time with a very entertaining book and for those who need excitement, thrill and laughter in their lives. You will not be disappointed. A book worth having for sure.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a hilarious story !!! Can’t wait for more !!!
By Book Nook Nuts
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This is an amazing short story. If you enjoy movies like Thelma and Louise this book will be great for you.
We have Dallas Fortune she is a roadie musician for none other than Dolly P and she has gotten herself into one hell of a pickle. But not only did she get herself into trouble she brings her best friend and fellow musician into it.Dallas does something that requires a lawyers help.
Jodie well she gets help from two different directions.This is simply a feel good laugh your pants off book. It’s a POV book and I like those.
I can not wait to see what happens next.
I recommend you pickup book 1 in this series but I guess they could be stand alones.

How To Purchase

Fortune Brawling and Fortune Calling by Hunter S Jones are available through our bookstore.

About The Author

Learn more about Hunter by reading her interview and connecting with her through her author page.

Additional Books by Hunter S Jones

[mybooktable book=”september-ends” display=”summary”]

Book Excerpt

Suddenly, angry shouts interrupted her (Allise) thoughts. She went … to the living room door and heard Edward R. Murrow say, “The National Emergency Council released its findings concerning the South.”
Rooted …, Allise saw her husband’s face tighten and flush … it read like a high fever registered on a thermometer. “Where in God’s name does he get off saying the South is the nation’s number one economic problem? Bunch a damn Yankees and New Dealers thinking up lies to tell about us! Never say anything good about the South.”
Disgust flooded her mind. Throwing a surreptitious look in Quent’s direction, she returned to the kitchen, with him and Sam behind her. Seated at the supper table, Sam said, “Quent, you ought to know, I’m looking for—“
“Listen, Sam, I don’t give a rat’s rear end about that farm. Daddy isn’t here anymore to push me. … I want no part of the farm. It’s yours.” In his forceful way, he added, “I’ll keep books, handle money, pay bills, but don’t talk farming … If you go bankrupt … that’s your problem.”
An awkward moment played between them. Then Sam stood with clenched fists. “Gawd damn you, Quent!”
Her husband rose up, and Allise rushed between them. … “Get out! Go beat each other until you are rid of whatever drives such hatefulness. Our son is watching …”
Sam sank back onto the chair. “Come here, Petey.”
Quent … grabbed his hat, and slammed the door … Allise wanted to take Sam’s hands and tell him that his brother was not himself. She knew she must not.
Sam … pulled the pale-faced, puckered child between his legs, … She watched his protective gesture … “Darling,” she said to Peter, “your daddy and Uncle Sam love you. Daddy isn’t himself tonight. He’ll return soon.” She held out her arms …
Sam stood. … See you soon, Petey. Allise.”
… she wondered how Sam felt about Quent giving up control … In the settlement of Daddy Joe’s estate, Joe’s Market had gone to Quent and the farm to Sam. They had divided the money … and his will stipulated the brothers were to share profits if the Filbert Street home sold. Sam was to live there until such a time.
Allise thought … Maybe if Quent is free of the farm, he will spend less time at Rooster’s. Since learning he went there, she had heard of other church-going men who gambled at the dive.
At times, Quent’s steel-blue eyes, veiled and insensitive, gazed into a place that closed her out. How can my heart feel heavy when it’s empty of his love?

The Buzz

5.0 out of 5 stars
By Barbara D. Chaplik, Amazon

Southern Winds A’ Changing This is a very timely book with scholarly research on the Civil Rights activities of the 50s and 60s. It is factual and gives enough background for even a Yankee to be able to transport herself to the South. Gentle understanding and a critical eye regarding the segregation of the south. This author, Elizabeth Foster, is very talented and brings social issues to the reading public, clothed in an interesting and entertaining novel. Excellent character development. A thoroughly enjoyable novel. I’m ordering two more copies for gifts.

5.0 out of 5 stars
By Linda Lou, Amazon

Although Southern Winds A Changing is not the type of book I am normally drawn to read, when it was being discussed by a group of my friends I decided to purchase it. To say I was more than pleasantly surprised is an understatement. It is well researched, very well written and definitely holds your interest.
I found it a particularly timely novel and lends a touch of understanding and insight to many of our current problems.

5.0 out of 5 stars
By Janet Enders, Amazon

I truly enjoyed reading this book because it historically describes the racism, religion, and social situation in the South, especially in provincial areas, when racial inequalities and tensions were very evident. The two women in the story have a special bonding and strong friendship that endure through years of conflicts with society and with their own family members. I highly recommend reading this book.

How To Purchase

Southern Winds A’ Changing by Elizabeth Carroll Foster is available through our bookstore.

About the Author

You can learn more about and connect with Elizabeth Carroll Foster on her author page.

Book Excerpt

(The setting: January, after midnight, on a lake near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.)
. . . . He resumed trailing. Suddenly another set of tracks appeared—crossing beneath the first set. Smaller tracks; the Iceman!
Ben took the new course, following the long arc until the larger prints paralleled it. The two converged. He squatted over them for a moment then followed the smaller set. Suddenly the soles of Arctic boots appeared, toes in the snow. He rushed to the prone figure. “Iceman!” No response. Around the head crimson seeped into the white fluff. He bent over the body, searching for wounds. The kill was fresh.
Ben rolled the body over: Entry wound at the bridge of the nose. Unglazed eyes stared up at him. Despite the temperature the corpse’s throat was warm, the arms limp. He opened the heavy jacket and searched the pockets. No ID. No watch, money, anything. Gone! The envelope of information, promised him, was absent. No papers. The fingertips had been surgically removed.
Snow crunched behind him. He bolted and turned, his gloved thumb pulling the hammer back on the automatic. A light flicked on behind him. He raised his own while shielding his face with the other hand.
“Hello, Ben” the intruder said in an octave above the wind.
“Jesus! What the hell . . . ?
Behind the collar and below the hat a pair of blue eyes glared. “We couldn’t let this happen, Ben.”
“We?” Lowering the pistol, Ben stalled, his thoughts blurred.
Two suppressed flashes burst above the tall figure’s coat pocket, stabbing the darkness, burning flesh. Ben reeled backwards, falling over the dead messenger. The assassin unscrewed the hot silencer and dropped it into his coat pocket, then bent over the dying agent and unzipped the fleece jacket. “Sorry, Ben. It’s the nature of the beast.” He relieved the agent of personals. “Where’s the envelope, Ben?”
Ben coughed blood. “You . . . bastard.”
“You dropped it, Ben?” he demanded. Ben was gone. He pushed the dead agent’s Glock and remote into his own pockets and pulled a glove off a hand. The cold steel blade cut through fingers easily. “It’s the nature of the beast, Ben.

The Buzz

Given Greenwell’s extensive background in the classified security arena, it is no wonder he wrote such a compelling novel. From the opening chapter, he sets into motion the intrigue and clandestine operations that are occurring within our own United States. Most books of this genre have a setting in a foreign county, but this story puts the reader in the center of the inner sanctum of some of the highest ranking elected officials in our government. He carefully introduces a complex set of characters engaged in secret operations within our own country driven by the need of a rogue senator trying to make the world right outside of the current policies of written laws. He paints a picture of behind the door political funding kept out of sight by shroud manipulations to operate Team Zebra on a special project. He skillfully describes the settings from Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe to Biloxi keeping the characters in focus on their mission. There is one operative that knows how to quash the rogue operations and assumes a special identity in “project 7.” This kind of book is so realistic that it leaves the reader with the haunting thought “that it can happen in real life.” Throughout the book the characters are real people involved in their own lives coping with their own feelings, needs and thoughts. The tone and tint of this book is just right given the recent United States government security disclosures. I totally recommend Dale Greenwell’s Code: Team Zebra (project 7) as the ☆☆☆☆☆ book of 2014 as a must read. Have some time because you won’t be able to put it down or stop turning the pages.

L Lee Parmeter Author “War Stories and Little White Lies.” 9 January, 2014.

How To Purchase

Code: Team Zebra is available through our bookstore.

About The Author

You can learn more about Dale Greenwell on his author page.

Book Excerpt

This morning started out so well, I thought I was on a roll. I hoped the rest of the day would be as great. It wasn’t, but how could I know it would be raining bodies before noon.

I put on one of my best business suits. It’s a dark, dark gray pin stripe. The jacket is double-breasted and the slit skirt doesn’t quite make it down to mid-thigh. I’ve never been turned down during an interview, but it never hurts to flash a bit of leg at a male interviewer. It’s fun to watch where their eyes wander during the discussion. A lot of men have trouble looking a woman in the eye. More often they are gazing at the assets a good bit south of the face.

I was heading for Little Rock’s Midtown Atrium Towers Building, a new expanse of glass and steel in the downtown area. In keeping with the new architecture, an atrium reaches to the top between two buildings. I would be talking to a Wayne Harmon at Cyber-Technology, a computer and internet consulting firm.

At quarter past nine, fifteen minutes before my appointment, I walked through the huge glass doors, which opened for me with an automatic whoosh. The main floor entrance was through a curved glass wall going up all twelve floors. A similar wall of glass faced me from the rear of the lobby and the sign over the far doorway read: Parking Garage. I glanced around the lobby at the large planter areas replete with foliage and flowers. There were even a couple of imported palm trees; far from native to Arkansas. Buildings stretched upward to my left and to my right. The structure smelled like a new building. The faint but pungent aroma left from new carpet glued to the floor drifted past me. I checked the directory and learned Cyber-Technology was in Tower B, the one on the right.

The elevators were glass and brass clinging to the walls of the atrium.
It would be an interesting ride — I’m not afraid of heights, but I don’t like looking straight down at nothing between me and a sudden stop at the bottom. I was almost across the lobby when I heard the shout from behind me.

The Buzz

John Achor draws the audience into the mystery immediately with “raining bodies”. The reader’s curosity is hooked as the story progresses with the addition of friends to help solve the mystery. A growing romance with the police detective holds the reader’s attention as the killers are tracked through the evolving story. I enjoyed every page and would recommend it to all who read mysteries. I’m looking forward to more Casey Fremont books. Thank you, Mr. Achor.~ 5-Star Review, Rita Dortch, Amazon

I’ve been a fan of mystery stories for 50 years, mostly by authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple). Almost all of their stories took place in England back in the late 1800’s and early to mid 1900’s. So I really wondered how I would react to John Achor’s ‘One, Two, Kill a few’ featuring a female sleuth and in the modern day setting of Little Rock, Arkansas. I was to wonder no more as I approached the end of chapter 1.

This was a refreshing twist to the old mysteries I had read many times over and was used to. It was interesting seeing Casey Freemont get mixed up with some murders and try to solve them with the help of her ‘accomplice’ friends. As she gets closer to the truth she proves to have more guts and courage than would expect from a gal who’s idle thoughts are mainly directed to finding ways to get a man in bed with her. Romance novel fans, there’s something in the book for you too!

John Achor’s first attempt at a mystery novel is a huge success in my mind. And as his popularity grows I recommend you buy this first book at the bargain basement price of $2.99 (A lot of ‘bang’ for the buck). The price will surely go up if he cranks out any more Casey Freemont mysteries as good as this one. ~5-Star Review, Bob Betts, Amazon

How To Purchase

One, Two – Kill a Few is available through our bookstore.

About The Author

You can learn more about John Achor through his interview and connect with him on his author page.

Book Excerpt

After a brief pause to steady his nerves, he stood straight and walked deliberately toward the bus. Its folding front door stood open and he could already hear the grunts and groans from within – the death throes of his marriage.

Carol looked up first. Six identical cots flanked the center aisle, three on each side, beginning at the rear and stretching three-quarters of the vehicle’s length forward. Trap stopped at the top step, unable to continue. His weight had rocked the bus and caught her attention. Her eyes flew wide as saucers, staring at her husband over her lover’s naked back. Her mouth moved but words failed her, like a television with the sound muted. They lay on the cot in the far right corner.

Anger dislodged the lump in Trap’s throat. Blood boiled in his veins, searing him from head to toe with a rage the likes of which he had never known. At the same time he wanted to cry – to fall to his knees and beg her to come to him, but it was too late for tears. He took another step and stood at the mouth of the aisle. It felt like the entrance of a tunnel into a house of horrors, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to take the walk. Without realizing it, he moved his right hand to the butt of his gun. Finally, her lover realized something was wrong and looked at her face, then back over his shoulder. Trap looked into the young face and realized it was worse than he had thought.

Carol’s lover sprang from her like a cat from a hot stove. He was young, maybe eighteen. Probably one of her students. He grabbed his jeans from the floor and stumbled back against the emergency door. A white skirt with large blue flowers clung to the leg of the jeans as he hopped on his left foot and stabbed at the blue denim with his right. It was the same skirt Carol had been wearing the day Trap came home early and surprised her. The young man’s foot found its way through. Carol’s skirt fell to the floor.

“So this is why you taught summer school,” Trap said through clenched teeth, barely audible. He took a step, then another, his feet heavy, like in a dream. It felt like walking in waist-deep water. Lover boy switched to his right foot and stabbed at his pants with the left. The bus shook from his effort. Terror burned in his eyes, like a deer trapped in the headlights of an oncoming car. Trap felt himself losing control but he couldn’t stop. He didn’t want to stop. Every fiber of his being wanted to put a bullet in the young man’s chest. All the training in the world couldn’t have prepared him for the emotional storm that consumed him. He tasted blood and realized he had bitten through his bottom lip.

“Don’t,” Carol said. She was sitting up now, with her knees drawn tight against her naked breasts. Her back pressed against the metal corner of the bus. Eighty degrees outside and she was shivering. “Don’t do it.”

The Buzz

“The novel opens with a prologue depicting the final hours of Dale’s trial in a seemingly corrupt courtroom with an arrogant sheriff and a gun-toting judge, combined with an inexperienced court-appointed lawyer and a gallery that’s clearly out for Dale’s blood. The scene resonates with the reader, leaving the distinct impression that Dale did not receive a fair and impartial trial. The reader’s sympathies are tested from the beginning, though, by Dale’s recklessly irresponsible choices and behavior – indeed, at times he appears to be his own worst enemy.” — Tamara D. Blackwell, Mississippi Library Association

Carl’s books just keep getting better. I really liked his first two and he hasn’t disappointed with his latest. The characters are very real and the suspense keeps you wanting to read without putting the book down. I recommend everyone read this and all of his novels.~ 5-Star Review, Granny 48, Amazon

Wow! I loved this book. I liked the real feel of the characters and the twist and turns of their lives. I liked that every time I thought I knew what was about to happen I was wrong. And every time I thought I knew who the killer was I was wrong. I have read Carl’s The Night Train and Norton Road and his books just get better and better. In my opinion Carl Purdon is going to be right on up there with Dee Henderson, Lynette Eason and Terri Blackstock in a very short time. I can hardly wait for his next book!~ 5-Star Review, Leann Goodin, Amazon

How To Purchase

You can download the first chapter and purchase “Blinders” through our bookstore.

About The Author

Carl Purdon lives in Pontotoc, Mississippi with his wife and two of their four children. Carl grew up wanting to write novels. In 2012 he published THE NIGHT TRAIN, the story of an abused boy who runs away in search of a normal life.

In 2013 he released NORTON ROAD, the story of Pap Jones. Mischievous. Cagey. Until his antics pit him against an ex-cop bent on putting him in his place.

In 2014, Carl released his third novel, BLINDERS, which probes the gray area between right and wrong.

Carl writes contemporary/mainstream fiction with a Southern flavor he calls ‘Homegrown Fiction’.