Kent and Katcha: Espionage, Spycraft, Romance by Larry and Rosemary Mild
Publisher: Magic Island Literary Works (March 28, 2024) Category: Spy, Thriller, and Romance Tour Dates May 13-June 21, 2024 ISBN: 979-8986386409 Available in Print and ebook, 248 pages
Description Kent and Katcha by Larry and Rosemary Mild
Larry and Rosemary breach deep cover to bring you a novel of high intrigue drawn from Larry’s former association with secret operatives and their spook agencies.
The year is 1992. The Soviet Union has collapsed, but danger persists. Young Kent Brukner, a freshly trained American spy, arrives in Moscow for a high-risk mission: to infiltrate and compromise a Russian Federation Army facility. Under an alias, in a military uniform, he plies his skills—unprepared for the brutal confrontations and irrational consequences.
Kent meets the innocent and passionate Katcha, daughter of a British expatriate and a Russian dissident. Together the lovers embark on a nearly impossible journey, beginning in the foothills of the Ural Mountains. Stalked by the evil Major Dmitri Federov, they must escape from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, Finland, or face life in a Russian prison.
Review Kent and Katcha by Larry and Rosemary Mild
“Although cramped, the little kitchen had an air of efficiency. Huge pots and frying pans hung from hooks on the wall. The oak counters doubled as chopping blocks. Mama, daughter, and Kent bumped into each other frequently. However, when Katcha and Kent brushed together, they lingered a bit, smiling.”
Last year, I had the great pleasure of reading Larry and Rosemarry Mild’s Book, ‘On the Rails.’ Since I loved it so much, I was so excited to be able to read their latest novel, ‘Kent and Katcha’! It did not disappoint!
This has to be one of the easiest five-star ratings that I have ever given! ‘Kent and Katcha: Espionage, Spycraft, Romance,’ by Larry and Rosemary Mild is a story that is full of intrigue, thrill and romance all wrapped up in a neat little package.
Larry and Rosemary Mild are a husband-and-wife duo who write novels together. Last year I read one of their other books, ‘On The Rails,’ and I enjoyed it so much that I still find myself thinking about it from time to time.
With that book in mind, I had a strong feeling that I was going to appreciate ‘Kent and Katcha,’ and I did! The main character of the book, Kent Bruckner is an American spy who is sent to Russia to carry out a secret mission. When he is caught and sent to prison with no trial, Kent eventually escapes only to find himself lost in the foothills of the Ural mountains with no idea of where to go next.
Fortunately, he stumbles across a cafe where a beautiful, smart waitress named Katcha befriends him and agrees to let him stay with her family for a while, despite knowing that he is the escaped American spy. The two begin to bond and eventually decide to travel to America together, with the approval of Katcha’s mother. However, they will have to get past the Russian police to do it.
Overall, this was a wonderfully constructed story that left me satisfied with the ending. I can’t wait to read more from this author duo!
About Larry and Rosemary Mild
Award winning authors Larry and Rosemary coauthor mystery, suspense, and fantasy novels and short stories: The Paco and Molly Mysteries; The Dan and Rivka Sherman Mysteries; 2 Hawaii suspense/thrillers; a sci-fi novella; a historical novel (new); and four collections of short stories.
They are members of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the National League of American Pen Women, and Hawaii Fiction Writers.
Making their home in Honolulu, Hawaii, in a condo overlooking the Pacific Ocean, they relish time with their daughter and grandchildren. Rosemary’s popular personal essays include her new book IN MY NEXT LIFE I’LL GET IT RIGHT. She is a former assistant editor of Harper’s Magazine..
Giveaway Kent and Katcha by Larry and Rosemary Mild
This giveaway is for 3 print or ebook copies. Print is open to the U.S. only. ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on June 27, 2024 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Kent and Katcha: Espionage, Spycraft, Romance by Larry and Rosemary Mild
Publisher: Magic Island Literary Works (March 28, 2024) Category: Spy, Thriller, and Romance Tour Dates May 13-June 21, 2024 ISBN: 979-8986386409 Available in Print and ebook, 248 pages
Description Kent and Katcha by Larry and Rosemary Mild
Larry and Rosemary breach deep cover to bring you a novel of high intrigue drawn from Larry’s former association with secret operatives and their spook agencies.
The year is 1992. The Soviet Union has collapsed, but danger persists. Young Kent Brukner, a freshly trained American spy, arrives in Moscow for a high-risk mission: to infiltrate and compromise a Russian Federation Army facility. Under an alias, in a military uniform, he plies his skills—unprepared for the brutal confrontations and irrational consequences.
Kent meets the innocent and passionate Katcha, daughter of a British expatriate and a Russian dissident. Together the lovers embark on a nearly impossible journey, beginning in the foothills of the Ural Mountains. Stalked by the evil Major Dmitri Federov, they must escape from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, Finland, or face life in a Russian prison.
Praise for Larry and Rosemary Mild
Cr ‘Ohana: Winner of the Readers Favorite, 2011 Award
“I was hooked from the very first page. The chapters are short but there is plenty of suspense, intrigue, blackmail and betrayal. The characters are very easy to connect with. The descriptions of Hawaii are excellent. Adventure and suspense make this a book you won’t want to miss.”-Readers Favorite, for Cry ‘Ohana
“The beautiful setting, engaging characters, and lively plot combine to bring readers a story that is literally difficult to put down. The novel deftly moves between the characters and their stories concluding with a satisfying finish. It is an engaging story of tragedy, hope, and unconditional love.”- Mystery Books Site, Reviewed by Edie Dykeman, BellaOnline’s Mystery Books Editor, for Cry ‘Ohana
“Shame can tear families apart, and murder can obliterate them. Cry Ohana: Adventure and Suspense in Hawaii tells the story of a Hawaiian family who through a string of tragedies finds their family torn apart. But when they need to find justice, the family struggles to reunite. A story of family and reunion for the betterment of it all, and dedicated to Hawaiian culture, Cry Ohana is a choice pick, highly recommended.”- Midwest Book Review
Reviews for On the Rails
“I enjoyed this story and felt like it was well researched in regard to the Depression, the different government work programs, and what it was like to live in the mid-30s. Life was very different then compared to today. The story does not gloss over the dangers of her adventures. She did encounter some men who wanted only one thing. Others tried to rob her of what little she had in her possession.”-Leslie, Storeybook Reviews
“This book has everything you could ask for, non-stop adventure, some history lessons, villains and most importantly, highly likeable characters, who have to overcome every imaginable obstacle.”-Denise, Amazon
“Excellent character development. I adored Bertie. She had such an amazing personality. She was a fighter for sure. She wasn’t afraid to go for what she wanted, even if it meant… pretending to be a man. And fight, she did. She had to fight her way through every situation she came to. Don’t let the sweet and fun of this book fool you. There is plenty of action. Having taken place in 1936, this book has lots of great historical aspect to it, which I love! I highly recommend this for anybody who would like something a little bit different. I would definitely read more by this great writing duo!”-Wendy, Wall To Wall Books
“I enjoyed reading On the Rails by the talented co-authors, Larry and Rosemary Mild. I liked going back in time to the Great Depression era and meeting Bertie. I loved her character and getting to know her. She was intriguing and I was fascinated by her story. I would love to read more like this from the writing team Larry and Rosemary Mild in the future.”-Amy, Locks, Hooks, and Books
“A book that not only brings some laughter, but packs an emotional punch. I was pleasantly surprised by the high caliber of the writing in this novel! The writers did a lot of research, and it was employed well throughout the book. This is a great read and one that I highly recommend!”-Bee, BookPleasures.com
Guest Post Larry and Rosemary Mild
Writing Together Can Be Murder, But That’s Not a Bad Thing
LARRY:
We’re often asked how we write together. First, where do we write together? Eleven years ago, we moved from Maryland to Honolulu, Hawaii. In our two-bedroom condo, we’re squished but cozy. Our apartment overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Ala Moana Beach Park—with Magic Island, a small, lush peninsula jutting out from the park. We call ourselves Magic Island Literary Works. Our second bedroom is our office, where all the magic (and mayhem!) take place, and we sit back-to-back at our dueling computers.
Some coauthors write alternating chapters. We don’t. We divide our creative tasks between us—to the one best suited to perform it. Rosemary insists that I’m the conniving wizard, and she’s right. I conjure up all our plots. But where do I get my ideas? In addition to newspaper articles and books, I’m always observing our surroundings—and eavesdropping, one of my favorite occupations, to help me write realistic dialogue. We’ve been world travelers, so some of our stories are set in countries like Japan, Italy, and Cambodia. We draw from our own experience. For instance, our novel On the Rails: The Adventures of Boxcar Bertie is set in the Great Depression. I included many of my personal recollections of that era.
We take our characters from real life. Many are composites of people we’ve known. Our trusty basic rule: We stay out of trouble by keeping our characters in trouble.
So how do I begin a new novel? I write a statement of work, a paragraph for a short story or five pages for a whole novel. Then I write the entire first draft: plotting, counterplotting, twisting, turning, and employing the black art of the red herring. After all, where would any story be without ample doses of conflict, misdirection, and controversy? Boring!
ROSEMARY:
Now it’s my turn. But, first, I have to admit that Larry has a much longer attention span than I do. My desk overlooks the ocean and provides me with constant entertainment that interrupts my writing. He bought me binoculars and I love watching the container ships, barges, and cruise ships entering and leaving Honolulu harbor.
Finally, I buckle down to Larry’s manuscript. I flesh out the characters. To give them unique physical descriptions, I might flip through People or the daily paper. Or during a meeting I might scribble a few words about an unusual-looking person sitting across from me.
I also beef up the narrative. I often find a gem of a scene but it’s told second-hand. For instance, in Death Steals a Holy Book, our third Dan & Rivka Sherman mystery, bookstore clerk Ivy has a disastrous date in a popular restaurant and tells Rivka about it the next morning. I turned the scene into real time, making it dramatic and funny, where Ivy is confronted by a nasty woman. They argue, shout, slug each other—and get thrown out by the maitre d’.
I also streamline Larry’s narrative, cutting to pick up the pace by “judicious pruning,” a term I learned as an assistant editor at Harper’s Magazine. Larry calls it “Slash and burn. I spent an hour on those two paragraphs.” Eventually, we negotiate and soothe each other’s egos.
LARRY:
We’re Independent publishers, so all the publishing work is our responsibility. I’m a retired electronics engineer, so all the technical stuff falls on me. I transfer the text from Word to an Adobe InDesign format. After multiple proofreadings’ and our final step—reading the whole book aloud to each other— we send the formatted book to our printer.
Getting back to the business of our writing in the same small room. (Rosemary jokes that she’s practically sitting on my lap.) Can there be a downside to our arrangement? If you’ll excuse my Latin, there’s this co-writus interruptus thing. It’s too easy to stop one another and ask, “Does adrenaline have an e?” rather than look it up. Or I’ll ask her, “Can this character wear jeans to the opera?” rather than decide for myself. Of course, I also succumb to the magnetic tendency of looking out the window at passing ships, parasailers, and helicopters. And daydream.
I’m 91. Rosemary is 88. We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to get up each day and know what we have to do, what we want to do, and what we’ll go on doing as long as God gives us the strength to keep it up.
Award winning authors Larry and Rosemary coauthor mystery, suspense, and fantasy novels and short stories: The Paco and Molly Mysteries; The Dan and Rivka Sherman Mysteries; 2 Hawaii suspense/thrillers; a sci-fi novella; a historical novel (new); and four collections of short stories.
They are members of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the National League of American Pen Women, and Hawaii Fiction Writers.
Making their home in Honolulu, Hawaii, in a condo overlooking the Pacific Ocean, they relish time with their daughter and grandchildren. Rosemary’s popular personal essays include her new book IN MY NEXT LIFE I’LL GET IT RIGHT. She is a former assistant editor of Harper’s Magazine..
Giveaway Kent and Katcha by Larry and Rosemary Mild
This giveaway is for 3 print or ebook copies. Print is open to the U.S. only. ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on June 27, 2024 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War by Michael Ryan Hahn: On Tour
Publisher: Swashbuckle Holdings (August, 2023) Category: Fantasy, Adult Epic Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Steampunk Tour Dates October 16-November 22, 2023 ISBN: 978-1962089005 Available in Print and ebook, 194 pages
Description Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War by Michael Ryan Hahn
As a young wilderness girl, Pistol Rose knows nothing of the advanced Strelkie City or the mad king Ward Harrol who sits behind its walls. She doesn’t understand why the Strelkie forbid marriage.
When the king forces the surrounding countryside to change their traditional culture to match his vision, the Punimin resist, and Rose learns everything about how to kill Strelkie and get away with it.
But throwing her own secret wedding without being caught… is another matter entirely. Rose refuses to give up her lover, Clock Dancin, for the tyrants who threaten her way of life. And most Punimin stand with her–only one is a betrayer.
In this futuristic medieval steampunk country filled with liars, killers, and wilderuckers, the strongest weapon is love. But using it comes with a heavy cost. Praise For Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War by Michael Ryan Hahn
Review Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War by Michael Ryan Hahn
Guest Review by Mark
‘Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War’ by Michael Ryan Hahn is unlike any other book that I have ever read. This was a wild ride from start to finish, and I loved absolutely every second!
The world that Hahn has created in this book is so vivid, detailed and expressive, I found myself forgetting that I was reading a book and not watching a movie as I read along.
This is a story that takes place in a fictional world where two very different types of people are on the brink of war. First, there are the Strelkie, a technologically advanced people that live in a shining city run by a king that they believe is akin to a god.
Below them, in the dirty outskirts of the city, are the Punimin, who own no technology and shun the king’s laws. All Punimin stay to their family professions, and all Punimin families are given names that correspond with that profession. Which is why the main character, Pistol Rose, who comes from a family of gun makers, is more than prepared to fight for what she desires. And in this case, what she desires is the son of a nearby clock maker.
But when Pistol Rose and Clock Dancin’ appeal to their local Strelkie emissary for permission to get married, they are refused and the couple quickly realizes that they must take things into their own hands if they wish to be together.
This is a wonderful read that combines fantasy and steampunk in a totally new and epic way! I loved Rose’s strong female characterization, and the way that her family rallied around her to fight for both their rights and her love.
This novel is well worth the read for any lovers of adventure stories or steampunk, or even if you’ve never read either and wish to try something new!
Five stars!
About Michael Ryan Hahn
‘Pistol Rose and the Wedding That Parked a War’ is Michael’s debut novel and the first in a planned 7- part series, The Anthem of Ash & Pistols. He previously wrote a standalone horror novella called ‘Children of the Storm’. He recently released an adventure podcast in the style of old radio plays called Fire Pockets. His stories aim to weave exciting action with humor and heart, with complicated villains—probably because of his upbringing. He comes from a big ol’ raucous family, and he survived a shockingly bruising (but not altogether unfun) cadre of violently delinquent Boy Scouts to become an Eagle Scout. He loves fight scenes.
Michael won a ScreenCraft competition that led to development with Bad Robot. He’s a 3x ScreenCraft Finalist, and has 18 other accolades from major screenwriting competitions, including AFF and Final Big Break.
As a director, he won Best Feature at GenCon and Best Director at BAFF for his micro-budget, wild sci-fi comedy action feature, ALIEN THEORY
He lives in Los Angeles with his wife. In his spare time, he designs custom habitats for cats.* The habitats are highly popular with the cats.
Giveaway Pistol Rose and the Wedding that Sparked a War by Michael Ryan Hahn
This giveaway is for 2 copies. The winners will have the choice of print or ebook. This giveaway is open worldwide and on November 23, 2023 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Kent and Katcha: Espionage, Spycraft, Romance by Larry and Rosemary Mild
