Psychic

I have a most interesting book to tell you about, as well as a ‘new-to-me’ author I’m delighted to introduce you to. The book, PSYCHIC by T.S. Rose, will be released by Apprentice House Press on June the 7^th.

Alpha Moore is telepathic, but her skills amount to far more than just the ability to read the thoughts of others—she can also convince people to change their minds, think differently, and even reverse previous decisions by 180 degrees, though using that amount of energy drains her and she is still wracked with guilt knowing that her talents contributed to her own mother’s death. 

          As Alpha hides away in a care home for young people, Sunday, another psychic, traces her thoughts and reports her existence to the head of an institution. Joining up with Sunday and this institution, Alpha must then help to unmask a mole in the organization and avert a terrorist attack that threatens a train, desperately hoping that her and Sunday’s gifts together can avert the impending tragedy.

Combining sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and thriller elements into one hard-to-put-down thrill ride, PSYCHIC has adult and YA crossover appeal and weaves in real-life issues of populism and racism.

Now let me tell you a bit about the author before they have so graciously answered some questions about writing and the book. Set in Britain, it is written by a mother-daughter duo who live in London.

T Rose is the daughter of S Rose, her co-author. T is an accomplished writer. Having earned five academic prizes, she graduated from Queen Mary University (London) before becoming an English teacher. Over the years, she has worked with various charities focusing on promoting reading as well as organizing events and activities to help children and adults in need.

She was born in England and now lives in a rural town surrounded by trees and nature, but which also lies only twenty-five minutes by train from the bustling metropolis of London.

S Rose was born in South Africa, but partially schooled in Germany and the UK. She lived for a while in Kissimmee, Florida, but now lives near London. She has published a gardening story for young children, as well as a fantasy tale for young adults.

Her career as a Town Clerk, working for the good of the community, keeps her exceptionally busy, so writing takes place during stolen moments just before bed.

Please join me in welcoming T.S. Rose to Thoughts in Progress. Thanks for joining us and answering these questions.

How do you work together as writers?

Sharon writes the overall plot, and breaks it down into chapters, then Sharon and Tammy each take a chapter to work on. Tammy is better at dialogue scenes, whilst Sharon tends to focus on the high action elements. Because Sharon proposes the initial plot, she tends to put a first face to the characters, but before writing Tammy will tear these apart, sometimes changing the sex of a character, getting rid of one altogether, or rewriting their backstory. Tammy, being considerably younger than her mother Sharon, is more in touch with youthful characters. She also teaches at a secondary school, and is in contact with students every day, so her feel for the language of the younger generation is excellent. Sharon’s strengths lie in the creation of intricate plots, with twists and turns that leave the reader spinning. Once a chapter is written we both review this together.

Do you ever fight about your work?

Yes, but because we appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses we leave the final decision to the person with the best skill in that area. We tend to fight like adults, proposing points, debating our viewpoints in a grown-up manner. Sometimes we have to sleep on it, before coming to a resolution. It has meant that the typical mother/daughter relationship has had to alter to a relationship that is more collegial. It’s been a great experience for us.

Of those outside your family, who has had the most influence on your life?

In terms of worldwide figures, Sharon has met and worked with Nelson Mandela, who will always be a great influence on her thoughts. For Tammy, it’s King Ludwig II, Von Bayern. Whilst being a dreadful ruler, who ignored the threats of war to his country, he focussed on romantic projects, creating a number of wonderful architectural buildings, and his palaces still remain as great natural treasures and tributes to peace in Bavaria.

Given unlimited resources what would you do to make the world a better place to live in?

Less politics, more ability to create cross country/cross continental think-tanks to solve the world’s problems. For example, a radical solution to global warming could be found with this approach. Africa cries out for being reforested, but only a cross country approach could achieve this.

Who is your favourite author?

Tammy – Oscar Wilde, Sharon – Stephen King. For Sharon, reading has always been a great love. She absorbed hundreds of books in her childhood – anything from war stories to cowboys, and from horror to romance. Stephen King has to be a favourite author, who influenced much of her writing style. Tammy is more academic in her reading, and for her Oscar Wilde offers the sense of humour she seeks.

What is your favourite genre?

Sharon – anything, but especially science fiction/fantasy. Tammy – horror.

Politics are a big part of PSYCHIC. In your opinion, does government/democracy work?

No, it’s deeply flawed, with political parties creating political spin that masks the truth about everything. The only good part about it is that it is better than any of the other alternatives, and it does leave people with the ability to think for themselves, should they choose to. Sadly, many people don’t, they just absorb the sound bites as gospel.

Thank you again for joining us today. For more on the authors and their writing, visit their website here: https://www.psychic-tsrose.com/, and take the quiz to see what type of psychic abilities you would have!

PSYCHIC can be pre-order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Psychic-Ts-Rose/dp/1627203877 or Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/psychic-9781627203876/9781627203876.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed this chat with this new writing team. Do you have a favorite genre to read? P.S. Sorry for the way this post looks, Blogger was not happy with me while I was trying to schedule this post.

Beautiful Horseflesh

As a horse lover and former horse owner I’m thrilled to welcome author Karen S. Bennett here today to talk about her fiction debut, Beautiful Horseflesh (Apprentice House Press, June 2, 2021).

This is a story of mystery, intrigue, and coming-of-age among the backdrop of a 1990s Florida horse farm.

When Bumble B—a beautiful, dark-toned Thoroughbred filly—arrives at the Smitt’s family farm, she and her trainer Bud turn the Smitt’s lives upside down. Bud and Bumble B are training for a high-stakes upcoming race in Tampa, and the whole family is relying on the buzz that comes from having such an accomplished horse and trainer at their farm in order to keep it afloat. But teen Luis Smitt stumbles upon a secret that has grave consequences for all involved, and both Patrizia Smitt and her teenage daughter Miranda take interest in the handsome Bud. When it all comes to a head, what will it mean for Bumble B, Bud, and the Smitts and their beloved farm?

With heart-pounding racing scenes, an air of mystery, and descriptions of first loves and terrible mistakes, this novel will appeal to teen and older readers alike, especially those with an affinity for the thrilling and heartfelt world of horses.

Now join me in welcoming Karen to Thoughts in Progress to talk about her new book and her writing. Welcome, Karen. Please tell us how this book came to be.

A few years ago in a writing class, we were assigned to write about a dangerous event in a barn without mentioning the barn. That situation coupled with my piqued interest in that Thoroughbreds rarely survived twin births, and a further interest about deep tub hydrotherapy with a treadmill for horses, created three story threads, that spun together, quickly intertwining to a full rope of a novel. What followed was a trip to racetrack, overnighting at a ranch, and a demonstration of the aqua-therapy for horses. All I needed was a crime, and with my many years of working in jails and prisons, I had the characters: their behaviors, their dodges, their excuses, their slipping between the lines, well documented. And, so was born, “Beautiful Horseflesh.”

Family values are swirled with mandolin and violin, a basset hound and barn cats, in the background to this story of crime. Mrs. Patrizia Smitt fights to keep the waterwalk business in the black while Easter candy is melting, and the side orange orchard provides perfume for the farm. Miranda tests the adult waters, while Luis keeps memories for his father alive with his collection and love of baseball cards. Substantial financial reward awaits with the arrival of Bumble B, the Maryland horse to beat as she arrives at The Smitts Waterwalk Farm in Florida to prepare for The Silver Bridle Stakes Race at Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack in one week.

The elegant horse’s hide shimmered like patent leather in the sunlight, although she was hands off to everyone except for her trainer, Bud, a well cut man, with eyes for Patrizia Smitt, and incidentally for her sixteen-year-old daughter, Miranda.

Luis Smitt is a capable teen, with only five months before he’s off to the University of Miami. His familiar horse-world is tipped when he intuits a problem with the trainer. He receives a full, drunken confession from Bud in a bar scene, but Bud’s inebriated speech is unintelligible to Luis. With the help of a computer savvy, likeable young newspaper man, Luis starts to unravel the mystery surrounding the flighty horse. When the race’s starting bell is only hours away. Bud must flee. Luis and his friend in one car and the newspaper man in another car are in pursuit, dwarfing Bumble B’s race on the track in Tampa Bay. 

Karen, thanks so much for joining us today and sharing this insight into your book. Sounds like all the elements came together at the right time.

Meet the Author: Karen S. Bennett

 

Karen S. Bennett came to writing after accruing enough life experience, opinion, and attitude after retiring as a certified nurse practitioner who worked largely in correctional settings. 

Her literary fiction set in prison won first place in Maryland Writers Association in 2006. Four of her novels have finished in national contests. Short stories have been contest winners and have been e-published and traditionally published.

She learned that harmless lies told as a child were punished, but harmless lies written as fiction were rewarded and indeed welcomed by adults.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Are you a horse lover? What do you think will happen to Bumble B?