Wednesday, October 19, 2016

DIY: Become a Mobster and WIN Books

A heads up, I'm guest posting about BLING this whole week (M/W/F) at The REALLY REAL HOUSEWIVES. Check it out and leave me a shout, eh?

Also, today I'm giving away an AWESOME Island mystery novel. Be sure to guess Bish's lie to be entered. 

But I'm also playing along for the


(Couldn't resist.)

The Life of a Fairytale Mobster

My Mobster Name: La-mina Monoyra (La-meen-ah Mon-oye-rah)
My Rank: Bow to me now or have your soul eaten.
Crime Zone: The green bounty of earth.
My Look/Disguise:

Weapon of Choice: Confusion, and sometimes toothpicks.
Mobster Vehicle: Wings.
What I’m Known For: Killing men with desire. Or toothpicks. Whichever is handier.
My Catch Phrase: Bow or burn.



30 SECONDS BEFORE BLURB:

Blake Herro is a cop in the Cleveland Police Force. Ever since he was a child he wanted to do right by the city he loved by cleaning up the streets and protecting its citizens. Red, a notorious mobster, has other plans.

On a bitter December night, ten police officers are drawn
into a trap and killed by Red’s followers. Blake wants to bring down the Mob to avenge his fallen brothers and to prevent other cops from being murdered. Except the only way he can do that is by infiltrating the Mob.

Every minute he’s with these mobsters he’s in danger.
Around every corner lies the threat of coming face to face with a gun. Will he make it out of the Mob alive or will he be their next victim?

Buy on Amazon

To celebrate, 30 Seconds, the follow up story, is on sale for 99 cents! (Sale Oct. 21st – Nov. 4th)



Head to Chrys's place to find a list of the other participants! (Or grab the post info, sign up on her linky and play along on Oct 21!)

Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series (Hurricane Crimes and Seismic Crimes), as well as these releases from The Wild Rose Press: 30 Seconds, Ghost of Death, and Witch of Death.




Last week, Roland Yeomans shared THE NOT SO INNOCENTS AT LARGE along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed the lie correctly was entered to an audio book of either HUNTER'S MOON or TALES TO BE TOLD AT MIDNIGHT.

The game:

1. Two years in a row, I and the rest of my city, were mandatorily evacuated from our homes because of hurricanes.
2. As a six year old, I spent six weeks alone on the roughest street in Detroit with only a street person and her little dog for company.
3. I learned Cajun French from being surrounded by only french speaking neighbors my first summer in Lafayette after moving there from Detroit.

The lie: #3 (That was tough!)

Fun fact #1 (from Roland): My step-father was gone due to work. It was so hot in Lafayette that my mother wore shorts and a halter top. Because of that, our conservative, elderly neighbors thought Mother was a "Loose Woman" and wouldn't talk to her...or me! As soon as the weather cooled and Mother started wearing slacks and a blouse, they invited both of us to all their homes for coffee.

Fun Fact #2: When Mother had to be hospitalized while my step-father was off in the Gulf, Mrs. Hilton took me in. She started me on my writing career by typing my Green Lantern story I dictated to her one afternoon. She was one of the most loving, wise, and intelligent ladies I've ever known.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

L. Diane Wolfe!

Congrats, Diane!

And now, it's time for some island fun!


Pirates. Explorers. And spooky ghost hunters.

It’s 1962. Sam and her best friend, Nick, have the whole island of St. John, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, as their playground. They’ve got 240 year-old sugar plantation ruins to explore, beaches to swim, and trails to hike.

But when a man disappears like a vapor right in front of them, they must confront a scary new reality. They’re being haunted. By whom? And why? He’s even creeping into Nick’s dreams.

They need help, but the one who might be able to give it is Trumps, a reclusive hunchback who doesn’t like people, especially kids. Are Sam and Nick brave enough to face him? And if they do, will he listen to them? 

As carefree summer games turn into eerie hauntings, Sam and Nick learn more about themselves and life than they could ever have imagined.

Get Your Copy HERE.

(I personally can't wait to read this one!)

Ready to meet the AMAZING author?

Bish Denham, whose mother’s side of the family has been in the Caribbean for over one hundred years, was raised in the U. S. Virgin Islands. She still has lots of family living there whom she visits regularly.

She says, “Growing up in the islands was like living inside a history book. Columbus named the islands, Sir Francis Drake sailed through the area, and Alexander Hamilton was raised on St. Croix. The ruins of hundreds of sugar plantations, built with the sweat and blood of slave labor, litter the islands. Then there were the pirates who plied the waters. It is within this atmosphere of wonder and mystery, that I grew up. Life for me was magical, and through my writing I hope to pass on some of that magic.”

You might run across Bish anywhere, munching sharp cheddar on a saltine cracker with a thin sliver of guava paste--sweet and delicious! 

Bish gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out either lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook (open internationally):

You have until Tuesday, October 25 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer (and some FUN trivia) on October 26, 8 a.m. EDT.
TRUTH OR LIE

1. In the early 1970s, Bish lived in Hollywood and went to a transvestite ball.
2. Bish was at Woodstock and is surprised by how much she remembers!
3. A warlock once tried to recruit her to become a witch.
So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you met Bish? (If not, you must. She's wonderful.) What would your mobster name be? Have you visited the Virgin Islands?

172 comments:

  1. I'm hiding my toothpicks.
    I'm guessing number one is the lie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure which is worse, Alex. Dying from desire or being stabbed by toothpicks. Good luck with the guess!

      Delete
  2. What? No "cheese" in your Mobster profile?! Or is that what the toothpicks are really for, picking up chunks of cheese? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Right?! There should totally be cheese. Who wrote this thing anyway? ;)

      Delete
    2. I too am surprised there's no cheese... like dipping one's enemies in a fondue dip...

      Delete
  3. Sounds like a mobster not to mess with! She'd stick toothpicks in your eyes. >.o

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Chrystal and Bish ... congratulations to Diane on her win. Then I too will hide the toothpicks ... but am really missing the cheese ... I think I'll donate some stroooong chilli to make up for the missing cheese ... while I have given myself time to decide #1, #2, or #3 ... I'd say #3 ...

    But 'spect I'm wrong ... cheers to you both .. I now need cheese - but only have coffee ... Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheese! For you and me both. (Ahem, the cheese is implied.) ;)
      We'll take the chili though.

      Delete
    2. Good luck with the guess, Hilary! Crystal could combine the chili and cheese and threaten her enemies with heartburn!

      Delete
  5. I like the idea of a disaster crime series. That sounds like something I could really get into.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are definitely fun books. I read the first novella years ago. (Beta reading.)

      Delete
    2. Crime and disaster. In a way they go hand in hand.

      Delete
  6. Fun mobster identity! I'd prefer to keep my soul instead of having it become someone's snack, so... *bows* XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. It's a perfect Halloween identity, eh?

      Delete
    2. If you don't want your soul to become someone's snack, avoid having cheese anywhere near your person. :)

      Delete
  7. Okay, I'll bow down to you. Congrats to Bish on her new book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Natalie! A study of the dirt is good for one's soul. ;)

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    2. Crystal's got me trembling as well. Thanks, Natalie!

      Delete
  8. Disaster and Crime, what a combination. And , I live Bish's island tales. As for the lie; pretty sure that's #1.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck with the guessing, farawayeyes! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  9. I want all three of these to be true! I'll go with #3 as the lie.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That blog fest is a lot of fun waiting to happen. ^_^ I would totally be down for having wings made of fire!!

    I'm going with #2 for the lie, #3 is too interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, as long as they didn't catch my clothing on fire, cause that would just be embarrassing on so many levels. ;)

      Delete
    2. Krystal, Crystal did make the fest fun, didn't she? Good luck with the guessing!

      Delete
  11. Toothpicks. That made me laugh! Like Madeline, I half expected a mention of cheese. ;) Thanks for playing along!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, this alternate ego is too tough for cheese. The toothpicks will have to be cheesy enough for this week. ;)

      Delete
  12. Lucky me! Thank you.

    I'd probably hurt myself with toothpicks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, and I'll send you an email shortly. Computer issues. *sigh*

      Delete
  13. Disaster and crime sounds intriguing. Makes me think of the holocaust or Nuremburg though. And I think the lie is number 3! lol

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  14. Hi Crystal, I am not participating in a giveaway, but I just wanted to let you know that I love the background and design on your blog, and your photos are beautiful. You are very photogenic. I hope you are having a great week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Crystal, I am not participating in a giveaway, but I just wanted to let you know that I love the background and design on your blog, and your photos are beautiful. You are very photogenic. I hope you are having a great week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Desire, toothpicks, whatever works, right? ;)

    Congrats to Bish! I'll guess #1 as the lie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right! If all else fails, throw cheese at them. Take them out with a ball wedge of Romano!

      Delete
    2. Good luck with your guess, Cherie!

      Delete
  17. Haha, I wish I could put that my rank quote "Bow to me now, or have your soul eaten" on my syllabus, but I suppose that might get me in trouble. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. ''Bow to me now or have your soul eaten''. That is exactly what I usually say to my future minions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Remind me never to become one of your minions. ;)

      Delete
  19. Congrats Bish! I think #3 is the lie :)

    Loving your mobster profile!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Now I'm thinking of what could be done with toothpicks. Bish's book sounds great. I think #1 is the lie because #3 could have happened at #2!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're pretty dangerous when handled correctly. You'd be surprised. ;)

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    2. That's one way of choosing, Nick. Good luck!

      Delete
  21. #2 is the lie!
    Toothpicks . . .bwahaha, I mean, OUCH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all have our weapons of choice. At least no one sees the toothpicks coming. =D

      Delete
    2. Tyrean, Best of luck with your choice.

      Delete
  22. LOL love this post, thanks for sharing it!

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  23. Great post! I love seeing Bish'S cover everywhere.

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  24. Great post! I love seeing Bish'S cover everywhere.

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  25. #1 is the lie.
    Congrats again, Bish and congrats to Chrys too.
    And I'm still giggling at the toothpick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, just because a weapon is deadly doesn't mean it has to be menacing, eh? ;)

      Delete
    2. Lynda, I'm loving all these guesses. Good luck!

      Delete
  26. Congratulations Diane.

    I think #2 is the lie this week. I'm probably wrong, but she looks way too young to even be born in 1969.

    Have a terrific day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Here's hoping you guessed right!

      Delete
    2. LOL! Sandy, you have made my day. Good luck with your guess!

      Delete
  27. "Bow to me now or have your soul eaten." Hmm. Tough choice. LOL! You crack me up! Congrats to Chrys and Bish for their new books and to Diane for winning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to admit, faced with that alter ego, it would be a pretty easy decision. =)

      Delete
  28. Don't tell anyone, but I’ve always been wary of toothpicks, and I’m naturally confused (no help necessary), which makes that one scary mobster!

    Congrats to to both Bish and Chrys!

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! There you go. Menacing and confusing. With toothpicks. ;)

      Delete
    2. Congrats to Bish on the new book!

      Love your weapon of choice, Crystal. :)

      Delete
    3. Congratulations to Chrys and to Bish.
      And I never thought of a toothpick as a weapon.
      #1 is the lie, I think, but I'm always wrong. :)

      Delete
    4. Beverly, May your choice be the correct one!

      Delete
    5. Yvonne, thanks! They'll never see it coming, eh?

      Beverly, that's probably good--for your sake.

      Delete
  29. What an eclectic collection. Love all the info--and Bish's book.

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  30. I'm going to guess the lie is #2. Fun mobster. I almost forgot that was this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz, I hope your guess is the right one!

      Delete
    2. I know! There's so much going on right now that it's a darn good thing I have a calendar.

      Delete
  31. Oh my. That's a goddess of mobsters! Yay for Bish! I'm going to guess the lie is #2.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I see that you left off cheese from your mobster profile to hide your identity Crystal. Smart move. A curtsy for the goddess mobster. *Slips over a basket of cheesy confections and wine*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And congrats Bish, you lovely lady. :)

      Delete
    2. *takes the cheese basket and hides it from audience* (Darn it, she's figured me out.)

      Delete
  33. The truth and lie guesses re fun. I'm going to guess that #3 is a lie. A warlock? Sounds a bit much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, Glad you played along. Good luck with your choice.

      Delete
    2. Right?! And the fact you win a prize is just icing on the cake.

      Delete
  34. Hmm...i'm guessing the lie is number one. As for my mobster name: Imperial Icing, or the Read-a-nator. 😂 No, never been to the Virgin Islands but they sound marvelous, just like the book! Thanks for the share!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gina, The Virgin Islands are beautiful. Good luck with your choice!

      Delete
    2. YES! Read-a-nator it is! I have a narrator hater comedy sketch for you, Gina, but I'll have to save it for another time. It would make for an epic post.

      Delete
  35. I'm looking for the link between toothpicks and cheese...am I missing something? LOL
    The lie is no.#1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle, Thanks for playing and good luck.

      Delete
    2. You see nothing--nothing... *pulls toothpicks out of cheese*

      Delete
  36. Loved your Mobster profile. Today is the 20th for me but mine should post tomorrow.

    Congrats Chrys and Bish!!. Bish doesn't look old enough to have done that stuff in the 70's, but since only one is a lie. My guess is the recruiting Warlock.

    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Juneta! I can't wait to see yours.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the compliment, Juneta! Good luck with your guess.

      Delete
  37. Congrats to Chrys and Bish for their new books. I don't think Bish is old enough to have attended Woodstock so I'm picking that as the lie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a bad guess. I hope you're right!

      Delete
    2. Susan, I may have more gray hair than you think, but I'm not telling. :)

      Delete
  38. Killing men with desire or toothpicks you say? ;) Fun mobster profile. Glad to know that weaknesses are weaknesses. I was concerned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right!? I mean, what if a weakness was actually a wedge of cheese? What would we do then?

      Delete
  39. Wow, all kinds of wonderful books by great authors.

    Fairytale Mobster. Heh heh. You're good!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your Mobster profile rocks. I love the toothpicks and confusion as a weapon! I don't want my soul eaten so I'll bow to you now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol! Thanks, woman! Been missing you on the interwebs. Glad to see you're still kicking.

      Delete
  41. Wow, talk about a full post!

    I'm a happy camper... I actually guessed the correct lie last week. It's kinda nice to get it right for a change. :)

    LOVE your mobster profile. (Gotta watch out for those toothpicks!) I bow to your cleverness.

    I think #1 is the fib this time around.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice that you won last time around. Good luck this week!

      Delete
    2. We'll make a sleuth out of you yet! :D

      October I'd the busiest season. Just way too much fun on the web, eh?

      Delete
  42. I'll guess the lie is #2, since #3 seems too obvious to choose as the lie.

    I'm also surprised you omitted cheese from your mobster profile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. May your guess be the correct one, Carrie-Anne!

      Delete
    2. Can't have people figuring out my secret identity, now can I?

      Delete
  43. Congrats to Bish on her release! The cover is gorgeous, and I loved hearing about growing up on the islands. Sounds like an inspiring place for a novelist!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I laughed at the toothpicks! Best to stay away from the appetizers while you're around. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) But toothpicks can hide pretty much anywhere. ;)

      Delete
  45. You know I never get these lies and truths straight but once again I'll take a stab and hope I'm right. I'm guessing Bish was not at Woodstock (she doesn't look old enough!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliment, mshatch! Good luck with your guess.

      Delete
    2. Hey, I have it on good authority you've gotten quite a few on the nose.

      Delete
  46. Good luck on the sale. I hope you sell lots and lots of books

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  47. Wow, so much good stuff is happening! Yes, I've met Bish. Okay, not personally, but through blogging. I agree, she's a peach. Have a great weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! Is it possible to have too much good stuff at once. Deep thoughts...

      Delete
  48. I think #2 is the lie, but don't put in the contest because I got to read a review copy and it is so wonderful. You will love it.

    Crystal, you're the best lookin' mobster yet. Wings definitely sound more fun than a SUV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed the book, Tamara! Your guess is as good as anyone elses!

      Delete
    2. Right? You can't catch nearly as much air in an SUV.

      Delete
  49. There is so much to be grateful for. Congratulations, Chrys, Bish, Lee, and so many more. I would never guessed #3 was lie. You are good, Bish!

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  50. Bish must have gone to Woodstock, so that's not a lie. I kind of see her adventurous side coming out in #1, so I'm going with #3 being the lie. As to your mobsterness. . .I'd rather not get too cozy with you. You've got some deadly power going for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooo, good use of logic, Lee. Good luck!

      Delete
    2. :) What? I'm totally cozy, as long as you bow and acknowledge your inferiority. ;)

      Delete
  51. Number 3 may be a lie.

    Awesome to see Chry's book blurb.

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  52. Nice:) I think you'd make a very nice, and possibly very dangerous mobster;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) That's because I'd put everyone else in their place.

      Delete
  53. Somehow, having my soul slowly and deliberately devoured by a toothpick sounds way more intimidating than a broken kneecap or two. Remind me to never take any high interest loans from you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But that's no fun. Come on. I'll only charge a couple months of life in interest.

      Delete
  54. Cool mobster profile. It's different than most I have read. I didn't know Roland had the truth and lie game out. I wish I would have played, but I would have guessed wrong anyway. Congrats to Chrys and Bish. I'm going to guess number 1 is the lie. I believe she could have been at Woodstock as a toddler, maybe, and someone claiming to be a warlock might have tried to recruit her into a witch. Stranger things have happened to me in New Orleans. So, logically #1 seems like the lie. Not that it couldn't have happened, I just think the other two did happen. Oh, and I don't ever want to be killed with a toothpick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A toddler at Woodstock! How interesting. Good luck with the guessing.

      Delete
    2. Noted. It's not a very pleasant way to go.

      Delete
  55. Ah, I love the wings - and the ordinary looking disguise, lol. The toothpick is a unique concept.

    I doubt Bish was old enough to have gone to Woodstock.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the compliment, Dolorah! Good luck with your guess.

      Delete
    2. Real life is often stranger than reality. Just sayin.

      Delete
  56. Toothpicks, eh? Haha.

    I'm going with 2 as the lie, but only because I thought I saw elsewhere that she was in the Virgin Islands and really young when Woodstock occurred.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmmm, interesting logic, Shannon.

      Delete
    2. Now you know you're curious. How do you kill someone with toothpicks? ;)

      Delete
  57. An other-worldly mobster. Nice. I love the wings as your 'mobster vehicle'. Toothpicks is definitely original. And congrats to Bish on her new book.

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  58. 2 must be the lie. She looks way too young for it to be true.

    ReplyDelete
  59. So happy for Chrys! She is having an amazing blog tour! Congrats!

    Bish's 2 truths and a lie are tough. I am guessing 1 is a lie, but I am not sure. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
  60. Are these the same toothpicks from the cheese platter?
    :)
    Great job on your mobster!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why? Are you trying to sniff out my toothpick supplier?

      Delete
  61. I have no idea what my mobster anything would be, as I'd never thought of fairy tale mobsters and your description really threw me. So now I'm considering with a much wider range of possibilities. :P I like the toothpick thing, though.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Two might be a lie. Two seems too obvious to be one. 'shrugs' Another mobster that likes to be up close and personal. :-)
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  63. I'm going with #2 as the lie.
    Wouldn't all the flame catch your toothpicks on fire?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol. No, silly. (The flames are an illusion to intimidate, although now that you mention it... Hm. Innovation time. Flaming toothpicks!)

      Delete
  64. I say the weapon should be peppper in your pocket. Throw in the eyes of enemies.

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  65. Toothpicks are deadly. Thanks for telling me. They are everywhere. Everywhere, I say. hehehe

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
  66. It's a good thing the toothpicks are hidden away at our bay....the cat likes to eat them lol

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Hit me with your cheese!