  Today I am opening my blog to a valued friend, the very talented John Holt. Welcome John and thank you for guesting on the blog today. My good friend, Sarah, has invited me to submit something for her web page. How about a character profile, she suggested, or a bit of background about writing the book. Sounds good to me. In the circumstances I have invited a very good friend of mine to join me, Tom Kendall, Private Detective. Me - So welcome Tom, good to see you. Kendall – Good to be here. Me – Take a seat. How about a drink? Whiskey with a little water is your chosen poison. Kendall – I can live without it, the water I mean, not the whiskey. Me – A sample of your famous sense of humour, right. Kendall – Something we have in common, John, a wicked sense of humour. Me – That’s true. We are also both stubborn, and determined. Once we have an idea we won’t let go. Kendall – But we are fair, and know right and wrong. Me – I was just thinking, we have known each other for some time now. Would you like to tell the readers how we first met? Kendall – Well I guess that must have been early in 2008, you were working on that political corruption novel, remember? Me – I remember. “The Mackenzie Dossier”. Kendall – Well there were a couple of murders and you needed someone to investigate. You couldn’t use the Chief of Police because he was involved in the corruption, so I came along and helped out. Me – And we hit it off straight away, and we’ve been together ever since. Kendall – Absolutely, and there have been five novels altogether. After “The Mackenzie Dossier” came “The Marinski Affair”. What a story that was, robbery, blackmail, a kidnapping, and a murder or three. That took some solving I can tell you. No one was telling the truth. It got so that I didn’t even believe the weather guy on the the news channel. In fact I even started to tell lies myself. Me – Then came “Epidemic”, remember that one. Kendall – Remember it, I sure do. I’m still having nightmares. I mean to deliberately spread a virus like that. All of those deaths. I needed a holiday after that one. Me – Well I sent you and Mollie off to London, but things didn’t quite go to plan did they? Kendall – It seems I can’t go anywhere without a murder or two coming along. Me – Well you must admit that I do put you up against some pretty hard nosed villains – I mean who has there been – Duncan, Carl Simmonds, Alan Clark. Kendall – Don’t forget Collier will you? John Wyndham Collier. A cooler, more ruthless, guy you couldn’t wish to meet. So what about the latest novel, how about you telling the reader what that’s all about. Me – Well let’s see. Firstly, although it’s the fifth novel, it is a prequel. It tells how you became a private detective, the big plans you had .... Kendall – Don’t remind me. I was going to be the best I remember, and I would only take on the real important cases – yeah sure, that worked didn’t it, I don’t think. Me – The book also tells how you met up with Mollie. So what’s the story between you two. Kendall – Mollie is my business partner, pure and simple. She is also my best friend, second to you John. I have to say that I would be totally lost without her. She is always there for me, encouraging me when I’m down. But don’t you dare tell her. I’d never live it down. You promise ..... Me – All right your secret’s safe with me. But you are sure there’s nothing else, I mean you never married did you. Kendall – I almost did, once a long time ago. But I joined the Police. She couldn’t handle it. It was too dangerous she said. So she left. Married an electrician. He had an accident one day, electric shock, fell and broke his leg. Me – Really!!!!! Kendall – No, not really, I’m kidding. She did marry him though, I think. Anyway I have to get going I’m afraid. Tell them about the Countdown. Catch you later. Me – I’ll do that, see you later Tom. As Tom reminded me “Kendall” is currently on Countdown until 3 December. http://www.amazon.com/Kendall-Book-5-John-Holt-ebook/dp/B00LGZYZHW/ref=pd_sim_kstore_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0G892BG9MB88H159BZYZ So all that remains now is to thank Tom for joining me, and to thank Sarah for allowing me on here. John it has been a pleasure and thank you for entertaining us. Readers don't forget to check out John's countdown deal. Share or tweet the blog to increase exposure, it helps authors and readers alike. Thanks for reading, Sarah Jane Here are some of the Kendall reviews: "Murder, phone hacking and blackmail, quite enough to keep Kendall and Mollie on their toes this time around. Great plot development, as is always the case in a Tom Kendall novel, and an assorted supporting cast of well developed characters, help to lift this PI tale above its contemporaries. The author's clever, comic timing also delivers some funny lines and situations. The chemistry between the two main characters is particularly humorous and engaging as dogged detective Kendall is gently prompted and prodded to a successful conclusion of the case by the clever and witty Mollie. Having read all the previous Kendall books I do feel I’ve grown to know these two characters well, and their relationship continues to develop perfectly. If you enjoy a well plotted crime novel with believable characters, then I’d definitely recommend this one." "I’ve read and loved all of John Holt’s Tom Kendall books so far and loved every one of them. This prequel is different as it charts Kendall’s final moments and last minute doubts in the NYPD. This book gives a great back story into how Kendall established himself as a private detective; it features all the teething troubles of a new business and it also gives the immortal tale of when Kendall met Mollie; the secretary and business partner he could not manage without although he’d never admit it." I've read all John Holt's books about the marvellous Tom Kendall, so I looked forward to this one especially. Nor was I disappointed. Holt takes us back a few years to show us Tom Kendall frustrated with his job in the NYPD and determined to leave it and set up his own Private Investigator business. This is really interesting. Kendall is a man who, unlike Phillip Marlowe or Sam Spade, relies on his brains rather than his muscle in dealing with criminals. He has no skill with a gun and wouldn't know how to go about knocking someone out, but his stubbornness and determination bring him through to the solution every time. Kendall really wants his first case to be something very important – but will it be? His first meeting with Mollie, his personal assistant and a major character in the other books, is a real delight, and was a bonus to my enjoyment of this book 'Kendall'. Thank you for this, John Holt. Keep them coming! Social Media contacts: Meet Tom Kendall on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kendall/524023174290695 Follow Author John Holt on Twitter Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Holt/e/B003ERI7SI/
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 Read more about Amanda and her new release in the Meet the Author feature here at Rukia Publishing: http://www.rukiapublishing.com/meet-the-author-amanda-sington-williams.html To celebrate the new release of Just Two Weeks, Amanda Sington-Williams is running a great competition. (open to residents of GB only) For your chance to WIN one of 5 copies of the paperback, simply visit https://www.facebook.com/promotingauthors and message your answer to the following question: Where did the pool man want to take Jo? (Need a clue? Check out the Look Inside on Amazon) Competition closes 30th November. Good luck :) The author will be responsible for distributing the prizes to the winners who will be selected at random and notified by a member of the Rukia Publishing book promotion team. Readers Favorite Gold Award winning Author Susan Joyce met Sarah Jane Butfield before flying off to Miami to collect her award, to discuss her writing and her books. Read her story here: http://www.rukiapublishing.com/meet-the-author---susan-joyce.html If you enjoyed the interview or wish to pass on your good wishes to Susan Joyce feel free to comment below or on the Rukia Publishing Facebook pages.  This month Rukia Publishing is proud to announce that two award winning authors are utilising our book showcase services as they promote their books and other book promotional activities.  Award winning Author Susan Joyce will be in Miami on November 23rd to collect her Readers' Favorite 2014 International Book Award's Gold Medal for Best Non-Fiction -Travel book. She is also a Stargazer Honorable Mention Award Winner 2014. These awards are for her book The Lullaby Illusion which tells of the harrowing personal journey of a young American woman facing seemingly insurmountable situations while living in the Middle East and Europe. I interviewed Susan before she left for Miami and you can read the interview on 23rd November here at Rukia Publishing.
 Our second Author being showcased this month is Amanda Sington Williams who is busy promoting her latest novel 'Just Two Weeks' which is a psychological thriller set in Sri Lanka and The Lakes in northern UK. Amanda will be chatting with me very soon and her interview will be available on Rukia Publishing on 24th November.  Amanda will be running a giveaway to coincide with her book showcase here on Rukia Publishing. For your chance to WIN one of FIVE signed paperback copies of Just Two Weeks don't miss my Sarah Jane's Blog posts, see Twitter or Facebook for details. |
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Rising Damp, Nelo Hotsuma, Archives New Zealand
