Politics, Murder, Mystery, and Romance

SATIN DOLL, a Jana Lane mystery
by Joe Cosentino


Someone once said, politics is murder. As a mystery buff, perhaps that’s why I love politics so much. I even thought about becoming a politician. I’ve always found politicians fascinating. How they can speak to someone and make him/her feel as if he/she is the only person in the room. I also marvel at their will to serve others and to make the world a better place. To my parents’ chagrin, given most of my cousins are lawyers, I chose instead a similar path—becoming an actor. My years acting in film, television, and theatre opposite stars like Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards prepared me for writing the Jana Lane mysteries. As a politics junkie addicted to CNN, I realized the next Jana Lane mystery had to be about the political arena.

So in SATIN DOLL, it is 1983. The Republicans control the White House and Senate, and the Democrats control the House. Jana Lane, America’s most famous ex-child star, is on the comeback trail with her second film as an adult. At forty years old, she in Washington, DC researching for her upcoming film role as a US senator by shadowing Senator Cassie Castle, the Democrat senator touted to run for Vice President. Like Jana, Cassie is a smart, strong woman who is deeply involved in protecting the environment, women’s rights, gay rights, education, and creating jobs, like her father before her. She is also quite charismatic. Cassie also seems to wear her heart on her sleeve, since she is dating the Republican majority leader of the Senate!

When a Washington reporter is murdered for what she knows, Jana steps up—the Capitol steps—and uses the skills she learned as a child star to figure out who is responsible and why.

The suspects include Senator Maxmillion, the Republican majority leader of the Senate, and Benjamin Topower, Maxmillion’s wealthy super pack contributor. Not entering into bipartisanship, on the Democrat side there is Senator Sancho Ramirez, the young heartthrob with a secret, and Cassie’s sister/assistant who seems to know more than she lets on.

Along the way Jana is enticed by ex-professional football player/current Washington detective Chris Bove. In addition to his amazing looks, Bove loves great food, and sharing it with Jana.

Jana is also reconnected with her best friend, Jackson Montgomery, now a Democratic congressman. Jackson and his partner Adam are also prime suspects for reasons revealed in the book.

I was able to include many famous Washington, DC historic settings in the novel like the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Smithsonian Museum, Capitol, and the Ford Theatre, which I have visited numerous times.

Each Jana Lane mystery is it’s own story. The clues are there, and so are the plot twists and turns, and white knuckle shocking ending—Washington, DC style.

So do your civic duty and fill out your ballot for Satin Doll, a Jana Lane mystery.


SATIN DOLL can be purchased on The Wild Rose Press site at http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6744
or on Amazon at http://amzn.com/B01CPTVNZY
For more information on Joe Cosentino: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com

Review: Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not - Maureen L. Bonatch

Memories of the future?  Is that possible?

For Sabrina a car accident created memories of the future, with a beau from the past.  The catch, the beau, Cole, needs to believe Sabrina is not the same person that left him and her small town for the bright lights of Manhattan.

I found this fun and flirty read very enjoyable.  A story of second chances with a psychic twist is unique. A quick paces with heart.  I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by

Tena Stetler

Release Date  1/6/16

5 stars

 

 

A visit with Sandra Masters

Hello Readers and Fans:

Often in the course of producing a novel, there are scenes, dialogue and chapters that are not included in the published novel. As the author, every word is precious, worth its weight in gold, because it came from the vast depths of your mind and your soul. Publishing is a profit oriented business, and with such a dynamic and changing industry, both in digital books and print versions, there are limitations to the amount of words that can be used in a novel or novella.

 

Translated, that means, this author has what is called Bonus Material. These are anything that adds dimension and keeps you, the reader, engaged between books, to enjoy the world and characters I’ve created. Some of these choices, for me, are character interviews, deleted scenes, epilogues, and even short stories.

 

Today, I have chosen to interview, the heroine from my book Once Upon A Duke, my spicy Regency, Duchess Serena Austen, or more properly labeled with the honorific, Duchess Austen.

Enjoy the read. I welcome all comments to me at sandramastersauthor@gmail.com. You may subscribe to my newsletter at http://www.authorsandramasters.com.

 

  Sandra Masters, Unapologetic Story Teller

 

Simply as an aid, I’ve included the back cover blurb about these marvelous characters.

 

Serena, an artist and widow, has no desire for another husband. When she meets Geoffrey Austen, attraction sizzles to a scorch. Stolen days and nights ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey asks Serena to become his mistress, but she wants commitment, love and marriage, not an affair with a notorious rake.

Geoffrey realizes Serena might be the one woman who can care for his tortured soul, and maybe release his demons. The magic they shared is shattered when he learns she’s been forced into betrothal with another and held captive. He vows to save her even at the cost of his own life.

Will Geoffrey’s gallantry prove he truly loves Serena?

If he survives, will Serena surrender all to him?

 

Interview

 

Q.        Your Grace, when you first met the Duke of Austen, what did you think of him?

A.        Not overly much. He was so sure of himself and his ability to sweep a woman off her feet with his glib tongue and his practiced seductive words. I was shocked at the liberties he took without getting my consent, but he was memorable. For the first time, I found I wanted to know more about a rogue such as he.

 

Q.        When did your opinion change of him?

A.        Certainly not when he attempted to seduce me when Henry, my brother, conveniently left us alone. When he posed for me to complete his portrait in his handsome riding outfit, he utilized his double entendre words to suggest risqué visions.

 

Q.        Then what caused you to change your opinion of him?

A.        When he gifted me with Adonis, the puppy hound. It was a dirty underhanded ploy. I could resist the man, but I couldn’t resist a man with an impish puppy in his arms. And when the pup piddled on the floor, and he, the duke, cleaned it up, my heart was his. It was then I determined that no man who could humble himself in such a manner would maltreat a woman.

 

Q.        I hesitate to ask, but for the readers’ sakes, I will. Your first husband had a sadistic streak and he beat you at will. Why did you not take action to stop him?

A.        I was young and inexperienced in the ways of men. Trystan, my brother’s choice of a husband for me, found me easy prey for his demented behavior. He frightened me, and threatened harm if I breathed a word to anyone. I remember his words when he said, “I’ll make you regret the day you were born.”

                                                                                                                       

 

Q.        What would you like us to know about Geoffrey the man you did fall in love with?

A.        Geoffrey had his own demons with which to deal. In many ways, we redeemed each other. That night on the lake when he discovered my scarred back, all he wanted to do was sooth and comfort me. When he helped me back to my studio apartment, he actually put salve on my back. It was then I knew that he was the only man for me. We just had to decide on what terms. I wanted marriage. He didn’t. Then fickle fate took a hand and indeed the only choice was for him to rescue me from my captors, or for me to attend his funeral. He sent word to me he’d set me free one way or the other.  The rest is for the readers to learn.

 

Note to Readers:

 

If you go to my website and sign up for my newsletter, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a digital book of Book Two of the Duke Series, MY DIVINELY DECADENT DUKE. Look it up on Amazon, on sale now for $2.99. Book Three, THORN, SON OF A DUKE, is a teaser prequel of 15,000 words to Book Four, THE DUKE’S MAGNIFICENT BASTARD. This book may be released in Fall 2016.

 

Happy reading!

 

SANDRA MASTERS aka Sandra McCarthttp://www.authorsandramasters.com/index.html (New website-please check it out.)https://www.facebook.com/SandraMastersAuthor
Author at The Wild Rose Press
ONCE UPON A DUKE - Debut Release - The Duke Series
MY DIVINELY DECADENT DUKE - Book Two now available
THORN, SON OF A DUKE, Book Three - 15,000 word. Mini Teaser PREQUEL to Book Four
THE DUKE'S MAGNIFICENT BASTARD - Book Four Coming Soon 2016

Once in a while
In the middle of ordinary life
LOVE gives us a FAIRY TALE.

Los Angeles: More Than Just Pretty Palm Trees

Tamela Miles reveals the dark, gritty side of Downtown Los Angeles in her story, "Heart of a Hunter" (#1 in her new Hell On Heels series) but promises that the city has is better known for its' rich, multicultural history. Elle Connor, the newbie demon hunter heroine who's more paranormal than normal, spends a lot of time on the seedy streets of the dark side of the famed City of Angels but, like her creator, she is familiar with every part of her city. Through Elle's eyes, readers can catch glimpses of the sunnier sides of Los Angeles, such as the abundant, charming coffee houses, vibrant beaches with lovely palm trees swaying in the breeze, and interesting museums.  Tamela is a Southern California native, raised in the nearby cozy, suburban Altadena, which rests right above Pasadena, the City of Roses. Pasadena is home to the famous annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl. Just as Elle is prone to hop a bus or a commuter train to search out her next adventure, Tamela spent much of her teen years traveling this way to explore Downtown Los Angeles. Be sure to relax with a steaming cup of tea and read all about Elle's unfolding love story and trials as a hunter, in this story that kicks off the series, releasing from The Wild Rose Press on April 6, 2016!~     

"Nobody sees what we see/they're just hopelessly gazing..." - Beyonce Knowles Carter

From the Desk of Tamela Miles

To Purchase

Lover's Leap by Kimberly Keyes

If you have a favorite author, chances are you are hooked as much to her “true story” as you are to her writing, and you may not even know it!

Ever wonder why your author’s books speak to your heart? Why they feel so authentic, like the characters are jumping off the page? I believe this is because your dear author is telling you, her reader, the truth of her heart. Her “truth” will come out again and again in her writing, some basic theme that repeats, even though her plot lines and characters vary.
Some romance authors believe true love conquers all. A romance with this theme might describe a couple that life has torn apart for years who then find their way back together, or maybe the romance features a couple on the brink of divorce, or even post divorce, who wind up happily re-married.
Some romance authors believe In order to find true love, you have to first value yourself. I love this theme. Here you might see a woman who desperately loves her man, but until he can step up and own his part in their relationship, she’s out of there.
My truth tends to be love heals, coupled with love is worth fighting for. Take my heroine Candace in LOVER’S LEAP. Without making a conscious decision to do so, she has always guarded her heart for fear of getting hurt. It's a consequence of having grown up witnessing her dysfunctional parents' relationship. But Logan finds a way past her barriers to show her love is worth the risk. As for my hero Logan, he thinks he’s not worth much, and he's not a good bet in the love department. He
blames himself for failing someone he loved in his past, even though he could not have foreseen the tragedy. But Candace shows him who he is as seen through her eyes, sparking a flame of hope in him that his life can be more than a series of one night stands and adrenaline highs.
In the end, they each have a decision to make. Will they go for it and take the leap of faith love demands? And it's not enough for one of them to jump, because, let's don't forget this truth, love takes two.
Fall in love with Candace and Logan, and you’ll catch a glimpse of my truths, and hopefully, their journey will feel as real to you as falling in love yourself.

LOVER'S LEAP, a contemporary romance by Kimberly Keyes. Unleash your inner romantic.