Interiew and Giveaway - Said the Spider by Earl Van Gilder

Thank you to Outskirts Press, who has agreed for me to host a giveaway for Said the Spider. I have read and reviewed Said the Spider by Earl Van Gilder and I thought this book was well written with details that made you feel like you were there. Earl Van Gilder has given readers a crime thriller that they will most likely be talking about for a while. You can read my review of this book here. Below are some interview questions.

1. What inspired you to write this book?

Before and after my retirement as President of a corporation dealing in industrial espionage, white-collar crime, undercover and criminal investigations I was asked to share my experiences and stories. Also, just the sheer enjoyment of writing.

2. What compelled you to write your first book?

Friends and associates asking me to tell my story of investigation and experiences related to that part of my life.

3.  What are you working on at the moment?

I’ve completed two (2) more books (series) related to Said The Spider. They are Gumshoe Diary-The Month of May, and Point Of Connection. They involve many of the same characters (and new characters) but with new and different adventures.

4. What type of research did you do for the book?

On the three books I’ve written it required only limited research because they were part of my history. On occasion I did limited research into methods, geography, events etc. that were needed to recall times and events. There will be a time when my actual recollection and memory requires making new adventures that are less real to me but I’ll handle that when the time comes.

5. What do you draw inspiration from?

My writing is based loosely on past experiences..

6. Are you a published or a self-published author and how do you come up with your cover art?

Said The Spider is self-published through Outskirts and was a joint effort in cover art.

7. Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you reading now?

Larry McMurtry, John Ross and Allan Eckert are current favorites. Right now I am reading Miyamoto Musashi – His Life and Writings by Kenji Tokitsu who was an undefeated swordsman, master of battlefield strategy and martial arts icon from the 1600’s in Japan.

8. What can readers expect next from you?

A vivid imagination and authentic adventures.

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For the book Giveaway, the entry requirements will be simple. The contest will end on February 7th and the winner will be chosen randomly through random.org
Here are the rules for the giveaway entry:


Leave a comment letting me know you would like to win and leave your email address so that contact can be made if you are the winner.


That's it, simple enough...GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

Said the Spider...

About the Book: Sophisticated crime syndicate parasites invade the normally solid foundation of Midwestern banking and generations of established manufacturing. Executives and management usually in control suddenly find they are masterfully manipulated into a web of irreconcilable personal and financial seduction.

From the traumatic discovery at the river’s edge to the eventual confrontational conclusion Said The Spider seduces greedy, gullible and unsuspecting prey into a deadly and graphic whirlwind of corporate disaster leading to murder, suicide and revenge.

The early exploits of the juvenile crime spree by a youthful mastermind who cleverly manipulates his prey leads the reader to the ruthless genius manipulating the city. This drama of cause and effect with no escape from the temptations of lust, greed, and ignorance has been cleverly baited.

The corporate investigative agency and police sources enter almost too late to stop this whirlpool of turbulence as the bank Vice President’s realize their own failure and the investors and corporation officers panic and retreat from the coming Armageddon.

As murder, suicide and monumental financial losses are exposed, the crime syndicate learns of an investigation which might interrupt their lucrative operation. Crime bosses will stop at nothing to successfully complete their artistic looting of a major bank and manufacturing complex.

Time is running out. Investigators are pulling pieces of the puzzle together. Corrupt and greedy bank executives are running for their lives. The syndicate is charging ahead in their goal of complete domination and eventual departure culminating in a surprise and conclusive end to fraud and murder.

About the Author: More than 40 years Earle (Doc) Van Gilder was involved in the investigation of white-collar crime. The last 20 years he ran his own Investigative Corporation partnering with major firms, local and state government agencies and law enforcement to solve a wide range of criminal activities from internal theft and white collar crime to insurance fraud, criminal investigations and undercover operations.

Earle is also a certified Kyokushinkai Karate Branch Chief and martial arts instructor and well versed in the handling of weaponry. These experiences combined with his Marine Corp and equestrian experiences have resulted in a number of short stories which in turn led to his first novel, Said The Spider. He recently completed a second novel, Gumshoe Diary, The Month of May.

My Thoughts:

Said the Spider was written with a lot of style and character. From the first sentence of the book, I was captivated and wanted to know more of what will happen. This was one book that I wasn’t able to predict the end of the story. Van Gilder was able to write a story about a criminal mastermind with a great deal of imagery and details that made me feel like I was there in the story. The characters were well developed and the twist and turns of the story line were very intriguing. I enjoy reading a book where I can visualize everything from the story. In this book I was able to visual the people, the homes, even the circumstances where the investigation teams were in and the people and places they were investigation. It was obvious that Van Gilder used his past experience as an investigator to make this book a great read.

If someone is looking for a good criminal investigation story, make sure to pick up Said the Spider by Earl Van Gilder. You won’t be disappointed. 

I GIVE THIS BOOK

DISCLAIMER: I was in no way compensated to review this book. These are my opinions of a book in which I was asked to review by Outskirts Press, Inc.

Interview Posted

I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Cathy over at Crazy Bookworm. Interviews have always been hard for me because I'm known not to have long winded answers. I enjoyed answering these questions though. I found myself laughing at myself when I answered some of the questions...LOL. If you want to know more about me head on over to Crazy Bookworm. 

Delirious by Daniel Palmer

About the Book: Charlie Giles is at the top of his game. An electronics superstar, he’s sold his startup company to a giant Boston firm, where he’s now a senior director. With his dog, Monte, at his side, Charlie is treated like a VIP everywhere he goes.

Then one day, everything in Charlie’s neatly ordered world starts to go terrifyingly wrong. His prestigious job and his inventions are wrenched away from him. His family is targeted, and his former employers are dying gruesomely, picked off one by one. Every sign, every shred of evidence, points to Charlie as a cold-blooded killer. And soon Charlie is unable to tell whether he’s succumbed to the pressures of work and become the architect of his own destruction, or whether he’s the victim of a relentless, diabolical attack. In a desperate struggle to save his life, Charlie races to uncover the truth, all the while realizing that nothing can be trusted — least of all his own fractured mind…

About the Author: Daniel Palmer spent a decade as an e-commerce pioneer, helping to build first generation websites for Barnes & Noble and other popular brands. An experienced musician and songwriter, Daniel has recorded two CDs and licensed his songs for commercial use. A graduate of Boston University, Daniel lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two children.


My Thoughts: Reading a book by a new author can sometimes be scary, but it can also open up new doors for me when it comes to what I read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Delirious by Daniel Palmer. I'm not sure if it's because it includes a lot of technology and also mental health, which are big interests of mine. Whatever the reason, Daniel Palmer's Delirious was able to capture my attention and hold it.  Delirious takes you into the world of high tech corporate America and a family that has some serious mental health problems. Charlie, who was able to escape the illness that has scarred his family, comes to a breaking point when he loses his job, his mother has a stroke and he has to move in with his brother who suffers from the same illness he thought he escaped, schizophrenia. Charlie then begins wondering if he really did escape the illness. The story line and it's twists are very intriguing and captivating. When reading this novel there were some parts of it that made me think of James Patterson's novels. I am very thankful that I was given the opportunity to review this books. I look forward to reading another book by this author.

Delirious will be available in stores and online in both book and eBook format on January 25th.


The author has provided copies of the Prologue and the first three chapters here: http://bit.ly/hmMBT8 and also on his Facebook Fan Page 


You can also download some free music by Daniel Palmer entitled “Home Sweet Home” at http://bit.ly/fW6SN3

I GIVE THIS BOOK

DISCLAIMER: I was in no way compensated to review this book. These are my opinions of a book in which I agreed to review for the author himself.

OH BOY!!

I feel like I have neglected my blog in the worst way. I haven't posted in a week and one of my unsaid resolutions was to be a more active blogger. I've been so tired lately. I'm hoping that I will gain some strength in the next few days. I've also been having a hard time focusing...what to do? I think I need some organization tips...LOL

Top 10 books for 2011

I've been seeing a lot of blogs that I follow and some that I don't are listing the top 10 books they plan to read in 2011. I feel somewhat like I need to branch out a little from the genres I enjoy reading and maybe read something else. Problem is I don't know where to start or which author to start with. So, I'm hoping that some of my followers will help me compile a list of books that aren't paranormal fiction or YA...I have these covered...LOL

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing all my followers and fellow bloggers a happy and prosperous new year. May all your wishes come true.