Category: Stuart R. West

“Serial Killers Are People, Too” From Author Stuart R. West

February 13, 2015 / Katie L. Carroll

Writer friend and return guest poster Stuart R. West has a seriously deranged and hilarious post that is perfect for Friday the 13th. Stuart is celebrating the release of his latest thriller THE SECRET SOCIETY OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS. Welcome, Stuart!

Serial killers are people, too.

First of all, I’d like to thank Katie for allowing me to step up on my soap-box. Look, I know I have an up-hill battle, campaigning for serial killers’ rights. But, here’s the deal. The serial killers I’ve written about in my newest book, The Secret Society of Like-Minded Individuals, are an interesting lot, people you may like to get to know. Um, just be very careful around them; hide the sharp utensils during dinner gatherings.

My protagonist, Leon, is just about the most well-adjusted, highly moral, nice-guy serial killer you’re ever gonna’ run across. (And you probably don’t wanna’ run across many of them, just saying.) He only kills those who need it, he has his reasons. Okay, okay, so he has a few issues. Still, all in all, not a bad guy.

On the other hand, we have Cody, aka “the Denver Decapitator,” Leon’s nemesis. Sure, he’s young, immature, cocky, and yanking the world by the tail. But there’s something about the guy. Something unspoken, some sort of humanity lurking beneath his rough, soul-patched veneer. He’s just got an odd way of showing it.

Let’s talk about the “Good Samaritan Killer.” Well…I really can’t without giving away spoilers. A big surprise. But they’re human, only too much so. (Wait, did I say “they?” Heh. Read the book and find out.)

“The Mad Doctor?” Such an ugly nom de plume, one he’s not fond of. After all, he kills in the name of love. Why can’t everyone just get along? It’s complicated.

Wait, look over there, it’s “Donny and Marie,” the two most charmingly psychopathic hit-men you’re ever gonna’ run across. It’s not just a job to them, we’re talking fun and games.

And fun and games is what you’re gonna’ get with The Secret Society of Like-Minded Individuals. A lot of people who’ve read it had their doubts at first, believing it might be a bit too much for their tender psyches to take. I understand. But they all agreed…they were in for a big surprise. Suspense, thrills, action, surprises–heck, even romance–and a light dusting of dark humor.

Here, author Heather Brainerd (of the exceptional Jose Picada mystery series) sums it up best: “I really, truly, and almost surprisingly loved SSLMI. I was a little scared of the whole serial-killer-as-protagonist concept, but it was awesome. Looking forward to the next one.”

See? SO, the next time you meet a serial killer (assuming you survive the encounter), just remember that they’re people, too. Shake their hand (don’t linger! And don’t look ‘em in the eye!), pat ‘em on the back, and give ‘em an “attaboy.”

Okay, maybe not, but you know what I mean.

THE SECRET SOCIETY OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS blurb:

Leon Garber has his reasons for ridding the world of abusive people, call it justifiable homicide.

Opportunity comes knocking from Like-Minded Individuals, Inc., a global company fulfilling the needs of people like Leon. LMI’s clientele are provided with new identities, security, and even lists of potential “projects.” But let’s not call it “serial killing.” Such a nasty business. For Leon, it’s a dream come true.

However, LMI’s put a target on Leon’s back. He has no idea why.

LMI, the police, sanctioned hitmen, and a vicious psychopath are after him. He collides with other Like-Minded Individuals: The Good Samaritan Killer, The Mad Doctor, Donnie and Marie (don’t ask). Heads are chopped, dropped and swapped as Leon fights for his life. But nothing will keep Leon from finishing his current project. Nothing. Not even the chance to fall in love with the woman of his dreams.

Sometimes a killer business idea is just that. Killer.

Amazon link: The Secret Society of Like-Minded Individuals

About the Author:

For more about Stuart check out his Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Stuart-R.-West/e/B00B419X5C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Or his blog: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/

The Very Inspiring Blogger Award

January 30, 2015 / Katie L. Carroll

A very big thanks to Beverly Stowe McClure for nominating me for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Beverly is a force in the kidlit world with a slew of writing credits to her name and a generous soul. Make sure to check out her website and blog The Story of a Writer.

The rules for accepting this award are as follows:
1. Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.
2. Display the award logo.
3. Nominate at least 15 other blogs (more or less) and provide a link where they may be found.
4. Then, go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated, and where to find the information they need to accept (rules).
5. Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks.

So here are the three things that have inspired me recently…

1. My kids…of course! Love those little guys. They are a constant reminder of all that is wonderful in the world: the way they think, the way they learn, the way they share, even the way they “fight.” (A fight between the boys usually entails The Boy yelling at The Prince for some nonexistence slight or rudeness–cause 7-month-olds are so rude, right–and The Prince, loving the attention from his older brother, breaks into a big two-tooth grin.) They’re still young enough to be impressed by their old mom, so I’m enjoying their enthusiasm while it lasts. Just yesterday when The Boy spotted the cover of my picture book, he said, “Oh, I love that one,” and insisted we read it. So, yeah, they keep me inspired in so many ways, even as they are tiring me out.

2. A group of students I have yet to meet. I’ve been putting the finishing touches on a school presentation for early February in conjunction with The Great Connecticut Caper. Among the group, are 7 students who submitted a story to the Caper’s first contest and won the author visit. Just thinking about the fun activities I have planned for them and thinking about the writing that will hopefully come out of it keeps me excited about my projects.

3. My writing group. I have a pretty awesome in-person critique group that I meet with once a month. The quality of the work coming from every single person in the group has reached such a level of excellence lately. We’ve really hit a groove. Not only do I look forward to reading their offerings every month, but knowing they are all waiting for the next installment in my WIP keeps me on track with my word count goals.

Okay, now it’s your turn. I’ve never been very good at nominating people for these blogger awards, so here’s five people I’ve come up with. And, if you’re a blogger and would like to be nominated and play along, just leave a comment and I’ll add you to the list. My nominees:

1. Kai Strand – Strands of Thought

2. Meradeth Houston – Write Stuff

3. Stuart R. West – Twisted Tales from Tornado Alley

4. Eric Price – Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Whatever Else Comes to Mind

5. Jeff Chapman – Jeff Chapman’s Writing

6. Comment to have your blog added here!

We Love Tween/YA Books Cover Scroll

April 14, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

Some shameless book business first…Elixir Bound was the Friday Feature on the Dragon Blog and you can enter the rafflecopter over on the post to win a copy of the book.

Okay, now on to the fun! MuseItUp Publishing is hosting a We Love Tween/YA Books event over on Facebook. Lots of MuseItUp authors (including yours truly) have been stopping in and sharing all kinds of goodies related to their books. The event runs through Thursday and is open to the public, so stop by to discover some new YA/tween authors and their amazing books!

I thought in honor of the event, I’d do a cover parade of some of the MuseItUp titles I have enjoyed (full disclosure: some of these I’ve worked on as an editor…but that doesn’t mean I can’t recommend them, right?). I’ve included links to buy them at the MuseItUp bookstore, but they can also be purchased on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other online book retailers. And here comes the parade (cue the upbeat marching band music!).

First up some paranormal titles:

YA paranormal romance WANTED by Annika James

YA paranormal TEX, THE WITCH BOY by Stuart R. West

Upcoming MG paranormal THE UNWANTED GIFT by K.L. Pickett

YA paranormals COLORS LIKE MEMORIES, THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE, and the upcoming SURRENDER THE SKY, all in Meradeth Houston’s Sary Society Series.

And for you fantasy fans:

MG fantasy BEWARE OF THE WHITE by Kai Strand

MG fantasy THE SHADOW OF THE UNICORN: THE LEGACY by Suzanne de Montigny

MG fantasy LAUNCHING SISTERS TO WITC HCAMP by LRS

YA fantasy UNVEILING THE WIZARDS’ SHROUD by Eric Price

YA fantasies QUEST OF THE HART, CHARMED MEMORIES, and DIFFERENT KIND OF KNIGHT all by Mary Waibel

If you’re in the mood for a little mystery, don’t miss these next titles:

MG humor JULIUS CAESAR BROWN AND THE GREEN GAS MYSTERY by Ace Hansen

YA thriller THE MASTER’S BOOK by Philip Coleman

YA mystery ISOSCELES by Scott R. Caseley

And finally for those fans of contemporary:

YA CASCADES by Rick Taliaferro

YA A HORSE CALLED TROUBLE by C.K. Volnek

MG NOTHIN’ BUT NET by Kris Rutherford

MG MAYBE IT’S MAGIC by K.L. Pickett

I’d love to see what MuseItUp YA/tween books you all recommend in the comments! 🙂

Stuart R. West Author of the Tex, The Witch Boy Series Weighs in on Females in YA

August 12, 2013 / Katie L. Carroll

Stuart R. West, whose second book in his Tex, The Witch Boy series Tex, And the Gangs of Suburbia released last month, is guesting on the blog today. He was inspired by my Females in YA posts and decided to add his voice to the discussion. Welcome, Stuart!

$Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia 200x300$ Katie’s been going on at great lengths about strong feminist characters. Bravo.

Here’s a new perspective.

I’m a guy. And a writer. My young adult series, Tex, The Witch Boy, has a male protagonist, told from his narrative viewpoint. I actually set out to write a YA series of books that teen boys could enjoy. I know I would have liked them back in high school, but then again I’m slightly biased.

Here’s the deal, however. The series turned into something different from what I first envisioned. They’re still cool for guys, but…another writer, a female, told me I’m a highly feminist writer.

I said, “What?” She told me the strongest characters in all of my books are female (she’s read all of my books, YA and adult thrillers). Huh. Set me to thinking (and that’s a dangerous thing).

After much contemplation, naval-gazing and fear, I thought about it. She’s right. All of the female characters in my books are the strongest personalities.

In “Tex, The Witch Boy,” my protagonist is a teen male witch. But he’s sorta’ introspective, rarely ready to take action unless forced into it. Slacker. He’s almost the “damsel in distress.” The female characters carry the action.

Tex’s friend (potential girl-friend), Olivia is a warrior. Small and fiery, she single-handedly takes down the scariest bully at Clearwell High. And when the principal and police start questioning people about the murder of a school bully, she’s mighty angry she’s not considered a suspect. Sexist, she rants!

There’s Mickey, Tex’s witch mentor. Stereotypically a daffy ol’ woman on the outside, she has moves that would frighten the whiskers off of a mouse. Hm. Think she does that, maybe.

In the second book, Tex And The Gangs Of Suburbia (just out!), I introduce my favorite character yet. Elspeth. I’m not going to give away who (or “what”) she is. But she takes no prisoners, stands up for her rights against sexist idiots, puts people in their places. She sorta’ threatened to derail the second and third Tex book ‘cause she’s so strong. Being no fool (and frankly, a little afraid of her), I listened. She gets her own follow-up book next year.

Just finished an adult thriller set alternately in 1935 and 1969. My female writing mentor told me one of the major characters is a role model for early feminism.

Okay. Point is I’m a guy writer. But I’d be foolish not to pay tribute to the better sex. Duh. The strongest people in my life are female. My wife’s a brilliant college professor who tolerates no foolishness. My daughter is amazingly adept at reading people. My mother is a master manipulator (not sure if that’s a bonus or not). I can’t count how many female friends I have who give better advice to me, and frankly, can handle stress better than we men.

My dude friends (illiterate, beer-swilling, football watching cro-magnons) don’t even care that I’m writing. And they’d be especially angry that I’m a “feminist” writer. Doesn’t matter. They’ll never read my books, anyway. I’m not afraid to tell the truth. Guys have more physical muscle. But women are the real warriors.

$Tex The Witch Boy 200x300$ Super special AmazeBalls Deal! Act fast, hit up the MuseItUp website, and you can buy both the Tex books for the price of one! My publisher’s going cray-cray! But don’t tell her and buy! Our lil’ secret!