Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Murder for Liar by Verlin DarrowMurder for Liar by Verlin Darrow

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press (May 15, 2023)
Category: Mystery/Suspense
Tour Dates June 26-July 27, 2023
ISBN: 978-1509248971
Available in Print and ebook, 298 pages

 Murder for

Description Murder for Liar by Verlin Darrow

Award-winning novelist Verlin Darrow delivers a standout thrill ride in his newest mystery, Murder for Liar, an engaging, enlightening, and entertaining novel of psychological suspense.

About Murder for Liar:  Private investigator-turned-psychotherapist Tom Dashiel doesn’t know it yet, but he’s hurtling towards discovering where his threshold lies—the point of no return for his sanity.  So begins a surreal spiral when George Arundel enters Tom’s Santa Cruz office on a Tuesday afternoon in April.

To say George Arundel is a puzzle is an understatement:  the local psychiatrist who referred Arundel to Tom described him—rather astutely—as “a substantial challenge.”  Working to treat the enigmatic Arundel, Tom soon realizes he has been tasked to treat a client unlike any he’s ever encountered.

But how is George Arundel related to the uncanny coincidences Tom begins to encounter?  Are these mere coincidences…or something else?  Could a young woman named Zig-Zag really be an angel?  How could a dog—a rather cute one at that—reveal one of the most important clues? What’s the deal with that alluring, albeit mercurial, woman named Dizzy?  And what’s Arundel’s connection to the escalating spate of unsolved murders plaguing the typically calm but always colorful Santa Cruz community?

Swept up in a perilous world where nothing is as it seems, Tom struggles to make sense of the decidedly dangerous, downright deadly scheme in which he has somehow unwittingly become a key player. Tom is about to discover that in this treacherous reality, the truth is far, far stranger than fiction…but the real danger is not knowing which is which.

Verlin Darrow has crafted an exhilarating, briskly paced page turner with a to-die-for plot in his latest novel. An extraordinary read that is alternately dark and lighthearted, tragic and comic, wildly entertaining and highly enlightening, Murder for Liar is one of those books destined to stay with readers after the final page is turned.  Meticulously plotted, populated with a charismatic cast of unforgettable characters and bustling with twists and turns, Murder for Liar is a true standout.

Praise for Verlin Darrow

“The story has great pace, fun characters who you care about, plenty of twists, and narrative ‘personality’, especially with all of the psychology and spiritual references. Many good zingers, taut scenes, and punchy, believable dialogue.
The mixture of a hard-boiled story line with a soft-boiled private investigator works well and the psychology–spiritualism element grabbed and held my interest.”-C.I. Dennis, author of the Vince Tanzi series. For Blood and Wisdom

“Verlin Darrow has a sense of plot and style that carries the reader forward into that special place of anxious expectation, the place where putting the book down is unthinkable.

Verlin gets us into the minds of people you wouldn’t want to invite for dinner. Fascinating.”-Richard House MD, author of Between Now and When. For Blood and Wisdom

“A kooky spiritual version of the Da Vinci Code. A good laugh with bad guys and good guys searching for Buddha’s reincarnation. There is a whooper of a surprise ending!”- Lee Kaiser, author of Towers of the Hungry Ghosts. For Coattail Karma

Interview with Verlin Darrow, Author of Murder For Liar

 

Teddy: Please tell us something about Murder For Liar  that is not in the summary.  (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

Verlin: I tried to create the the same sort of experience for readers that Tom—the psychologist protagonist—endures, without the murders themselves, of course. In other words, as Tom is confounded and forced to rethink his sense of possibility in light of extraordinary events, readers are, too. When Tom is clueless, they are. When he figures something out, they’re along for the ride, experiencing similar satisfaction, however momentary it might turn out to be. To maintain suspense, the book has no easy answers or clarity to rest on. As answers emerge, new questions emerge to replace them. I hesitate to get into specifics since there are numerous twists and turns that need to be surprises.

I found it challenging to write a story that stands on its own, and has the added element of providing a fun, intense roller coaster ride for my readers. Based on the reviews my book has been getting, I seem to have succeeded. It’s hard to know about things like this without objective third party feedback.

Teddy: I always enjoy looking at the names that authors choose to give their characters. Where do you derive the names of your characters?  Are they based on real people you knew or now know in real life? How do you create names for your characters?

Verlin: Actually, names are a significant plot point in Murder For Liar. In two different circumstances, a commonality between characters’ names are significant and provides clues about the mystery threading through the book.

I picked “Tom” because it only has three letters and I find those three easy to locate on my keyboard (great reason, huh?). Zig-zag and Dizzy are two other names I use to set them apart from ordinary folks. And the sweet border collie conspirator is named Sadie, which is what I would name a border collie if I had one.

I think names are important. I pick them intuitively and then sometimes change them in later drafts as I find out more about my characters. In one book, Ivy turned into Aria. In another, Pan turned into Sid.

Teddy: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?

Verlin: With my previous three novels, I directed the concept of the covers and then my publisher’s artist realized them in ways that I approved. Sounds good, right? It turns out that readers didn’t like them at all. So, this time, I just picked the cover artist, listed the elements in the book, the tone, a few symbols that might relate to the plot, and then left it to the professionals. I like the end result. Sometimes my head feels like the guy on the cover. I can relate.

Verlin: Which actors would you like to see play Tom Dashiel and George Arundel, if the book were to become a movie, play, or mini series.  (you are welcome to choose actors for other characters as well)

Verlin: I’ve thought about this. I’d pick a fortyish Nick Nolte for Tom, mostly for his looks. The film would need a really good actor for George (if you read the book, you’ll see why)—maybe Anthony Hopkins or Jack Nicholson. For waiflike Zig-zag, I think a twentyish Natalie Portman would work. And for Dizzy, the African-American temptress, perhaps Lupita Nyong’o.

I guess we’re way over budget already with this cast. It’s lucky I write books instead of casting actors.

Teddy: What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?

Verlin: This is an integral part of my work. As a therapist and a Buddhist, I try to infuse my plots with ideas and perspectives that open doors for readers—that expand the way they think about life. That sounds like a lofty, pretentious goal, but done skillfully, I think it simply adds layers of meaning beyond the fun of reading a psychological thriller. We sometimes forget about basic realities that we all face, such as: everything changes, we’re all in this together, and in my case, and perhaps yours sometimes, thoughts are like science fiction stories written by drunk monkeys. My books remind the reader of s things we need to accept in order to be content.

Teddy: What draws you to this genre? 

Verlin: It’s what I like to read, for one thing, so I’ve read a lot of suspense and mystery novels, which helps when I set out to write one. Also, my strengths—and what falls out of me naturally—are plot and dialogue. I think these are especially important in this genre.

My subconscious loves to construct plots with me tagging along. I might write that a car is yellow for no earthly reason I know of. Seventy pages later, it turns out to be important. So, with mysteries and the like, I get to find out along with everyone else what ‘s going to happen, which makes the process of writing more fun. In one book, I honestly didn’t know who the killer was until I got to the second to last chapter.

Teddy: Will Tom have more to tell readers in the future?

Verlin: Beats me. I guess it depends on how popular my book ends up being. I’ve got another non-Tom mystery coming out next year and a couple of rough drafts of other books in the works. I’d definitely put them to the side if billions of readers clamored for more Tom.

On the other hand, he starts out one way and then transforms quite a bit to cope with what he encounters. By the end of the book, he’s a guy who doesn’t need to go through anything traumatic anymore to change. So, what would happen to someone like that? More murders? I dunno.

Teddy: Do you have any writing projects that you are currently working on?

Verlin: As I mentioned (before I read this question and then was too lazy to go back and change my last answer), The Not Quite Enlightened Sleuth will be published by Wild Rose Press next year. In it, a former Buddhist nun solves murders in northern California while enduring her dysfunctional family. It’s more of a traditional mystery—lighter reading, less harrowing.

 

About Verlin DarrowVerlin Darrow

Award-winning novelist, Verlin Darrow is a psychotherapist who lives with his psychotherapist wife in the woods near the Monterey Bay in northern California. They diagnose each other as necessary.

Verlin is a former professional volleyball player (in Italy), unsuccessful country-western singer/songwriter, import store owner, and assistant guru in a small, benign spiritual organization.

Website:  https://www.verlindarrow.com/

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This giveaway is for 3 print copies and is open to the U.S. only  This giveaway ends on July 28, 2023 midnight, pacific time.  Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Murder for Liar by Verlin Darrow

It's Not All About You by Elisabeth L. MorrisseyIt’s Not All About You: Living with a Transsexual Spouse or Partner by Elisabeth L. Morrissey

Publisher: Thursday Night Press, an imprint of DX Varos Publishing (May 23, 2023)
Category: LGBT, Self-Help, Relationships, Non-Fiction
Tour Dates May 23-June 15, 2023
ISBN: 978-1655065-870
Available in Print and ebook, 273 pages

 It's Not All About You

Description It’s Not All About You by Elisabeth L. Morrissey


Your husband tells you he’s transsexual.

Do you drop him like a hot rock? Could it possibly work out? Read this book!

Includes: the transsexual process, talking to others, assessing your relationship, finding therapists, maintaining your marriage, jealousy, helping your children adjust, and more. Also, for the woman who falls in love with a transsexual.

It’s not all about him. It’s about you.

Praise It’s Not All About You by Elisabeth L. Morrissey


“Being a transgender woman, it is easy for me to forget that it isn’t all about me. It helps me to relate better with my partner when I hear from another woman’s perspective. Although there were a few uncomfortable spots I would recommend this book to anyone that is considering or is already transitioning.”- Kristy Burney, Goodreads

Interview with Elisabeth L. Morrissey

TR: Please tell us something about ‘It’s Not All About You’ that is not in the summary.  (About the book, person or scenario you particularly enjoyed writing about, etc.)

ELM: I think “The 40-year-old Teenager” was my favorite chapter. I was trying to help the partners help their spouse/partner without alienating them. They do need help to look as feminine as possible, especially in the early stages. And they can be awfully touchy about their appearance.   
I also enjoyed writing about the stand-off we had with my mother. It demonstrated that even the most disapproving people in one’s life may come around if one just stands their ground and makes clear that they can’t be bullied into submission. I hope some of the spouses and the primaries are encouraged by the story to hold firm against people who would try to demand either of them yield to keep the peace. 

TR: How much time and effort went into your research for the book?

ELM: At least a year. I know many of the people I wrote about. The ongoing research was mainly following the coverage of the marriage cases that went on across the country. I believed they were relevant because states vary in how they classify transfolk regarding their documents. That can affect who can marry whom and when.

TR: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover or did a graphic artist come up with it?  

ELM: It was a graphic artist engaged by the publisher, but I like it.

TR: Is there a case study either in the book or not in the book that you would like to share with us?

ELM: I suppose the cases I know best are myself and my wife. I shared a lot of rather intimate details about our lives (some of which made her a bit uncomfortable).

TR: If ‘It’s Not All About You’ were to become a docu-drama, what actor would you like to play yourself and a couple others, you mentioned in the book?

ELM: This is a hard question. Back when I started working on this, I would have said my wife should be played by Karen Black, because she was so good in Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, and because my wife looked a lot like the actress did in the film at the time we met.                                                                                                                   

Currently, Alicia Witt comes to mind for (my) Karen’s character. For myself, maybe Amy Adams. For our friend, C.J, Jennifer Lawrence.

TR: What books are you currently reading?

ELM: I just got Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, two of my favorite authors, and can’t wait to dive into it.

TR: Is there another book to write in your future?

ELM: With all the persecution of transfolk happening in statehouses across the country, a second edition may be necessary just to update readers of the first edition on where all that legislation leaves transpeople.

TR: I am sure there are people struggling with this issue.  Do you have any advice or further reading you can suggest?

ELM: I included a pretty extensive bibliography in the book. There’s a lot of good advice in some of them for couples trying to keep their marriage together.

TR: Are there any questions that you would have liked me or another blogger to ask but didn’t? Please ask and answer.

ELM: Maybe what I think about how “trendy” being trans-something seems recently among young people. I’m not at all certain what’s driving it. I think it’ll be interesting to see, a decade from now, how many have stuck with it compared with how many settle back into the gender they were born as.


About Elisabeth L. MorrisseyIt's Not All About You by Elisabeth L. Morrissey


Elisabeth Morrissey learned a lot as a volunteer for several years at the Gender Identity Center of Colorado, a transgender support organization, and from her twenty-five-year marriage to a male-to-female transsexual. She is otherwise a homemaker and support system for her spouse, Karen.

Website: https://www.dxvaros.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DXVaros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elmorrissey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049203941245


Pre-order It’s Not All About You by Elisabeth L. Morrissey


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It's Not All About You by Elisabeth L. Morrissey

Sex Drugs and Spiritual EnlightenmentSex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment (but mostly the first two) by Karuna Das

Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing (March 28, 2023)
Category: General Fiction, Fictionalized Memoir, Coming of Age
Tour Dates: April 4-21, 2023
ISBN: 978-1955065764
Available in Print and ebook, 280 pages

Sex Drugs and Spiritual Enlightenment

Description Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment by Karuna Das


On the cusp of turning eighteen, it’s time for Drew Lovell to become a man.

But deep within, Drew has questions—ones he doesn’t know how to phrase—about what that means and how to go about it.

During three intense stretches between 1985 and 1993, taking him into his mid-twenties, Drew undergoes a series of profound experiences—often wild, sometimes painful, and always revealing—that force him to rethink his current assumptions. Only after nearly dying from trying to conform to conventional models of masculinity does he begin to become the man he wants to be and not the one he thought the world required him to be. Still, he’s unable to live with full integrity until interaction with a pair of awakened humans inspires new awareness that helps him at long last embrace the truth of who he is.

Praise for Karuna Das


Kat’s Cradle is … an inquiry into the nature of consciousness, evolution, and perspective that makes Kat just one of a series of strong characters whose lives intersect in … its paradigm-changing inspection of humanity, spirituality, and forces beyond human ken.”- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“At once thriller and search for meaning, Karuna Das’s story of an extraordinary woman’s self-discovery imagines a world of conspiracy at the edge of science where the stakes couldn’t be higher. Kat’s Cradle probes the very nature of existence and digs for answers at the intersection of medicine and mystery.”- Tom Sweterlitsch, author of The Gone World

​”Kat’s Cradle is neuropunk at its mind-bending and truly optimistic finest.”- Heidi Ruby Miller, author of the Ambasadora series

“awe-inspiring science fiction. I look forward to the next installment.”-H. Miller, Amazon Review

“Great book, with really strong female characters. It’s scifi/ fantasy and an enjoyable read!”-AS, Amazon Review

Interview with Karuna Das

TR: Please tell us something about ‘Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment’ that is not in the summary.  (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

KD: It’s inspired by my own journey to awakening and self-acceptance. I often use the term “fictionalized memoir” to describe it. I wrote it because I wanted to channel my often-painful early adulthood into a work of art that might benefit others as they find their way in the world.

TR: How much time and effort went into your research for the book?

KD: Literally decades, if you consider the ones, I spent living the essence of the story. Given the source, I didn’t have to do a lot of traditional research. Of course, in telling a fictionalized version of the story, I found myself needing to learn information about various elements that made their way into the narrative. I compressed the timeline, for example, and I’m a stickler for credibility, so I wanted to be sure that, when the protagonist did something in a specific place and time that paralleled something, I did in a later place and time, the fictional episode — say, attending a concert in Atlanta in 1992 instead of 1999 — could have really happened when and where it was set. That process led to a lot of serendipitous discoveries. In this case, Lilith Fair became a Cure show, creating an opportunity to quote a song lyric that suited the moment even better than what happened in the real-life situation.

TR: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover or did a graphic artist come up with it?  

KD: I made suggestions about the kinds of images and overall vibe I thought would best represent the material, and DX Varos go-to cover designer Ellie Augsberger came up with what you see. I love it!

TR: Is there any of your real life story buried in the pages of ‘Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment’ that you feel comfortable sharing with us?

KD: Adding to my answer above, the novel offers a fictionalized version of my struggle as a young man to overcome toxic models of masculinity and embrace my bisexuality, which in turn opened me up to true honesty and intimacy with my life partner. (I now identify as pansexual and polyamorous.)

TR: Which actor would you like to see playing Drew from ‘Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment’?

KD: If you asked a few years ago, I might have suggested Josh Hutcherson from the Hunger Games series. He’s probably too old for the role now, or at least he would be by the time it went from novel to screen adaptation to filming. But he’s the right type.

TR: What books are you currently reading?

KD: I’m not currently reading any fiction, but the anthology Coolest American Stories 2023 is at the top of my TBR pile. I’m paused partway through several nonfiction books: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Awake, and Jet Boss.   

TR: Is there another book to write in your future?

KD: I’m a few chapters into the second of three books in my Webolution sci-fi series, the first installment of which, Kat’s Cradle, was recently named an Independent Press Award 2023 Distinguished Favorite in Visionary Fiction. I’m excited to get back to work on the sequel, Solar Max, soon. I’ve also started outlining and drafting a follow-up to SD&SE called More Sex, Drugs & Spiritual Enlightenment (but still mostly the first two) that will draw on my experiences in middle age. And I have a nonfiction memoir in progress, Finding Our Way Home, about my relationship with my late mother and both our relationships with her parents. All that is on hold for a few more weeks, though, as I’m in rehearsal for the world premiere production of my play Pyramid Builders, which will perform here in Pittsburgh in the second half of April.

TR: Are there any questions that you would have liked me or another blogger to ask but didn’t? Please ask and answer.

KD: I have two.
Q: “Are you spiritually enlightened?” A: “No comment.”

Q: “How can readers learn more about you?” A: “Visit karunadaswriter.com.”


About Karuna DasKaruna Das


Karuna Das is the pen and spirit name of Kyle Bostian. Born in Wisconsin, he grew up in Massachusetts and now resides in Pennsylvania, but he lives wherever he happens to be at that moment and feels at home everywhere in the universe. He holds a BA in English and an MFA in Playwriting. In addition to his dramatic writing, he’s published the sci-fi novel Kat’s Cradle as well as short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. He and life partner Ti share their house with five wonderfully wacky cats.

Website: https://www.karunadaswriter.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarunaDasWriter
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/karunadaswriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karunadaswriter/

Buy Sex, Drugs, and Spiritual Enlightenment by Karuna Das


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Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus April 4 Kickoff & Interview

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Sex Drugs and Spiritual Enlightenment by Karuna Das