New Release: Skin Walk

What's better than a shiny new book? Nothing! I love releasing new books. I'm very happy to announce my latest book, Skin Walk. This is the second book in the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery series. You may recall that Lacey is an ex-LAPD cop turned private investigator, and Sam is a half-Navajo medium who communicates with ghosts. Together they tackle some very spooky and exceptional mysteries. The first book, Ghost Walk, took place in Los Angeles, California, but in the new book, Lacey and Sam take on a very different situation.

Just to refresh your memory (or tantalize you, if you didn't read it yet), here's the story behind Ghost Walk:

Lacey Fitzpatrick is an ex-LAPD detective with an axe to grind. Tainted by the betrayal of her drug-dealing cop boyfriend, she’s on a quest to prove to herself—and the world—that she’s still a competent crime-fighter. In order to do that, she teams up with Sam Firecloud, a half-Navajo man who communicates with ghosts. With his talent and her research, they tackle troubling unsolved crimes, but their latest case is the toughest. They have to solve a murder—where no record of a murder even exists. Can Sam glean enough information from the victim’s ghost to unravel the mystery, and can Lacey convince the authorities that the murder actually happened?

And here's the story behind Skin Walk:

Lacey and Sam are on the job again. This time, the pair of investigators have been called out to the Navajo reservation to look into the suspicious death of Sam’s cousin. What they uncover leads them into a realm of the supernatural beyond anything Lacey ever imagined; her years on the LAPD did nothing to prepare her for dealing with witches and shapeshifters. With clues few and far between, can they determine who the murderer is before they themselves become the target of deadly curses and feral shapeshifter beasts?

And the best part? Both books are on sale right now for just 99 cents! Catch up with Sam and Lacey on their latest adventure, or get both books at a gonga deal if you're new to the series. Take a WALK on the ghostly side. 

Oh, and stay tuned for the third book in the series, Star Walk.

Sale extended thru April 9, 2017!

Cover Reveal - Skin Walk

Coming Soon! My new book, Skin Walk, will be released soon, but until then, I wanted to share with you the cover. This is the second book in the Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery series. You may recall that Lacey is an ex-LAPD cop turned private investigator, and Sam is a half-Navajo medium who communicates with ghosts. Together they solve some very knotty mysteries. The first book, Ghost Walk, took place in Los Angeles, California, but in the new book, Lacey and Sam take on a very different situation.

Here's the blurb:

Lacey and Sam are on the job again. This time, the ex-cop and the Navajo medium have been called out to the Navajo reservation to investigate the suspicious death of Sam’s cousin. What they uncover leads them into a realm of the supernatural beyond anything Lacey ever imagined; her years on the LAPD did nothing to prepare her for dealing with witches and shapeshifters. With clues few and far between, can they determine who the murderer is before they themselves become the target of deadly curses and feral shapeshifter beasts?

Sound like fun? Stay tuned for the release date, and then... the third book in the series, Star Walk.

Travel Channel: The Dead Files

What does a Travel Channel series about ghosts have to do with writers--specifically this writer? It all began over a year ago when I got an e-mail from a gal at the Travel Channel, wanting to know if I'd be interested in being on a show called The Dead Files. It's a reality series about an ex-NY detective and a medium who investigate claims of haunted buildings. While she (the medium) walks the house and gets her impressions of the ghosts who linger there, he (the detective) does the research to find out who these people are and what their tie is to the house. This particular show was going to be investigating a supposedly haunted restaurant in the Sedona area, not far from where I live. 

I've seen shows like this before, where experts often weigh in on unique phenomena or occurrences. While I hardly consider myself an expert on anything, I have noticed that many of these people are authors. When I expressed some trepidation about being an "expert" on anything in Sedona, I was told that they particularly like having authors on because authors "know how to tell a story."

Well, count me in.

We filmed the show just about a year ago. It took the better part of a morning and was a lot of fun. The crew were very organized, very professional, and knew how to get things done. I worked with Steve DiSchiavi, the investigator. While Amy did her mediumistic walk through the restaurant, Steve and I talked about the prior inhabitants of the area, primarily Native Americans and cavalry and their inevitable conflicts. Having just researched a time travel book about this very time and place, I was pretty familiar with the events. 

We were originally told the episode would air last fall, but for whatever reason, schedules got juggled and now the show will air this Saturday night, March 18. There is an encore showing on March 19, all on the Travel Channel. I hope you'll tune in and see what we discovered about the haunted restaurant in Sedona.

And by the way, if any of this sounds familiar to my regular readers, it's because I "borrowed" the concept of the ex-cop working with a medium to solve mysteries for my Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud series. The first book, Ghost Walk, was released a couple of months ago. Book 2, Skin Walk, will be out soon, and Book 3, Star Walk is about half done. I'm very thankful to the Travel Channel and the people of The Dead Files for inspiring my latest creations.

Lacey Fitzpatrick is an ex-LAPD detective with an axe to grind. Tainted by the betrayal of her drug-dealing cop boyfriend, she’s on a quest to prove to herself—and the world—that she’s still a competent crime-fighter. In order to do that, she teams up with Sam Firecloud, a half-Navajo man who communicates with ghosts. With his talent and her research, they tackle troubling unsolved crimes, but their latest case is the toughest. They have to solve a murder—where no record of a murder even exists. Can Sam glean enough information from the victim’s ghost to unravel the mystery, and can Lacey convince the authorities that the murder actually happened?

Author Interview: Thom Stanley

Today I’m sitting down with my buddy Thom Stanley to talk about his two books. His books are, to say the least, unique. Although the two books are similar in tone, they are still very different even from each other. We’ll take them one by one.

Amazon says this about My Chupacabra Ate My Homework: A satirical and humorous look into all things paranormal. Through the years, there have been many questions that have gone unanswered regarding ghost, aliens, UFOs and other paranormal topics. This book attempts to answer some of those questions with a bent toward the light and humorous.

It looks to me like Thom has some serious explaining to do. So without further ado, we’ll get to it.

MJB: Thom, would you tell us first about My Chupacabra Ate My Homework? What the heck is a chupacabra, and what does it have to do with homework?

THOM: A chupacabra is literally Spanish for “goat sucker.” From Puerto Rico to the Americas, chupacabras have allegedly been responsible for animal mutilations, especially livestock. While scientists have yet to acknowledge its existence, witnesses have described the menacing beast as resembling a small bear on hind legs with spines protruding from its neck and back.

MJB: Hmm, I have a sneaking feeling that most teachers wouldn’t fall for this excuse from a student in class, but the kid might get an A for effort. How did you gather all this information on the paranormal?

THOM: For more than ten years, I research books and online paranormal sites to discover what people were asking and allegedly sighting.

MJB: So would you consider yourself an expert on these weird goings-on?

THOM: Absolutely not. First I believe there are no experts on any topic, as life is in constant flux. I find a question I appreciate for whatever reason and exaggerate the answer based on the nonsense of the question.

MJB: So you answer nonsense with exaggeration? Sounds reasonable. What do you think is the most amazing and unbelievable incident in your book?

THOM: People who claim to have been abducted by extraterrestrials, probed, and returned to tell their story fascinate me. I just don’t understand the human orifice fetish that life clearly more advanced than ours has.

MJB: Gee, when you put it that way…  (*Hides DVDs of the X Files*) Okay, now tell us about Frankly Fanny By Herself: Questions that Could Not Be Answered By: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Oprah Winfrey, Ann Landers, Dear Abby, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Yoda. Is the book longer than the title?

THOM: The title length is due to the vast number of revered consultants. People seem more apt to follow the advice of celebrities, some with and some without credentials, than to trust their own instincts or seek the help from a loved one or friend.

MJB: What was the impetus behind this book? Did you find the usual advice-givers were falling down on the job?

THOM: The usual advice givers are no more qualified than Frankly Fanny to advise people who have reached out to outside influences to solve their problems. The intent of these answers is to offer comic relief to what seem to be issues of concern.

MJB: What would you say is the weirdest question that you cover in your book?

THOM: I find questions from parents about the appropriate time to talk with their children about the things their parents never talked with them about to be most perplexing. The simple answer is that you will always be too late to tell your kids what they already know about sex.

MJB: I think you’re right about that. That’s a conversation that everyone seems to want to avoid for as long as possible, and by the time they get around to it, it’s almost obsolete. Maybe they could just hand the kid your book.

Obviously you gravitate toward the weird, the funny and the strangely useful. What are you working on now? What subjects do you have planned for the future?

THOM: I am compiling original horoscopes for my book: Astrology For The Weak, The World’s First and Only Multiple Choice Horoscopes. Again, a lengthy title, sorry. Also, I’m working on a book of what I believe are the world’s best quotes. My intent through these books is to offer people a respite from the trials and tribulations of daily life and the sorrow or pain it may bring.

MJB: Giving people an alternative to the stress and teeth-gnashing of our complex society? That’s commendable. I think we all need a break from that once in a while. If people want to find out more, how can they find you?

THOM: I’m on Facebook, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Still working on website, but other works available at SedonaExcentric.com.