Pearls of Asia by Lee Geiger

 

Published by TWCS PH

Release Date: 29th May 2014

Excerpt:

“This is not a drag show, honey. There are no boys in skirts working here. All the beautiful ladies at Pearls of Asia are transsexuals. We also happen to be curvaceous, luscious, and all things deliciously glorious about being feminine. We’re Women 2.0—special girls with special equipment. That’s what makes us, as well as this place, unique. Pearls of Asia is more than just a restaurant; it’s about the quest for self-identity, about the right to own and control one’s body. We leave you questioning everything you think you know and see. If that’s not an outrageously fun night out, then I can’t help you, honey. Do you still want my phone number?”

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Summary:

After beloved San Francisco anchorwoman Michelle Osher is found nearly decapitated in her palatial Nob Hill apartment, suspicion focuses immediately on her wealthy, arrogant husband, Paul. Inspector Mac Fleet and his partner are assigned the sensational case, and they quickly uncover an all-too-familiar pattern linking the widowed spouse to Sheyla Samonte, a part-time waitress enjoying a lavish lifestyle on Paul Osher’s dime. The pair of seasoned detectives assume she wanted a promotion from mistress to wife.

The investigation turns on its head when they discover Sheyla, a drop-dead gorgeous dancer born and raised in the Philippines, works at Pearls of Asia, a stylish restaurant featuring a cast of exotic transsexual performers who serve up flirtatious teasers along with delicious cocktails. Mac crawls down a rabbit hole and comes face to face with the restaurant’s uniquely captivating servers—Diamond, Reyna, Nadia, and Ashley—and unveils a fascinating lifestyle full of drama, humor, and high heels. 

When Sheyla refuses to cooperate unless Inspector Fleet takes her to brunch, he agrees even though he knows it’s outside the lines of police protocol. Mac soon finds himself dealing with his own set of personal demons, unable to decide whether to arrest Sheyla or ask her on a date.

The ensuing investigation reveals infidelities, betrayals, and a host of people who might want Michelle Osher dead. But as the case heats up, so does Mac’s romantic interest in Sheyla, whose stunning beauty and charming personality compel him to question her involvement, but not her courage, and to cross the line between his personal impulses and professional responsibilities. Convinced of Sheyla’s innocence, Mac devotes himself to finding the real killer. Ultimately, he is moved to take actions he never dreamed of to discover the truth about the case, Sheyla, and himself.

Introducing Lee...

Pearls of Asia is Lee Geiger's debut novel. He is also the author of The Marginal Prophet (www.marginalprophet.com), a popular newsletter that is part information, part inspiration, and all entertainment. 

When he's not writing or trading stocks, Lee can be found wandering the streets of San Francisco in search of red wine and pasta, which he considers to be two of the four major food groups

Connect with Lee

FB - PoA, FB - Lee, Website, Goodreads, Twitter

She Cries by Alexandra Allred

Release Date: 8th May 2014
Genre: Romance/ Suspense 
Published by: The Writers Coffee Shop

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

My Thoughts

I loved this story. It was profoundly suspenseful and deeply disturbing. At times my concern for the heroine Kali and her daughters was overwhelming. They were really in a dangerous situation and had no real understanding of their circumstances thanks to the legal team of Jeremy Connors and their cover up the true character and violent nature of the sporting "hero" (I use inverted comma's to express my sarcasm at term hero used here - Jeremy Connors is no hero, sporting or otherwise).

In Australia we have several sporting "hero's" who behave in a manner unbefitting the human race and rather than rant about society and it's acceptance of this from such people; I thought I'd interview the author

Interview

What do you love most about writing?

I started writing as a young person as a way to express feelings and share stories when I lived in Moscow, Russia. There was no such thing as television, going to the movies, hanging at the mall or playing video games like most kids so writing was an escape. As an adult, it has become so much more. Even with fiction, I can tell stories that can help people. Beyond entertainment, it is immensely satisfying to know your work has made an impact on someone.

What would you consider to be the ultimate success for an author? 

Most recently, I learned from a school principal that a “fight” broke out on a school bus over my children’s book, Crossing the Line, as students were taking sides between the Palestinian and Israeli characters and I thought, “A fight? I love it!” That teenagers would be so impassioned to argue over this is amazing! That is the ultimate compliment for an author.

Tell us a little about this She Cries - what was your favourite part about writing it?

She Cries was written with another purpose. I am so absolutely tired of reading about famous athletes doing horrible things to young women and walking away because they are famous.

Are you a “horsey” person?

My horses brought me back in. I really did have a Star. In fact, at the time of the writing, I had three horses and have loved them my entire life. My Star was an old rodeo horse with a bum leg so as I wrote this book and Star gave himself to save Kali’s life, you better know I was bawling as I wrote. I still cry when I read that passage.

She Cries has some rather heavy scenes in them, one in particular is violent  From where do you draw your inspiration when you’re writing those tough scenes? Do you have to put yourself in a dark place?

This is the first time I have discussed how my past played into She Cries. I don’t even know if my publishing house knows this … for this reason, this book was incredibly difficult and I walked away from it many times. But it was important to write, it was important for people to see how strong women are and it was important that the women in this book save the women of this book!

She Cries and the themes encompassed by the story have some strong parallels to today’s society (especially in Australia) was there a particular event that prompted you to write this. 

When Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stood accused of raping multiple women, I was stunned after reading a Sport Illustrated article how many people covered for Ben’s behavior. That was my launching point but I have had some bad experiences in my life that I was able to draw from to make it all the more real.

What's next for Alexandra Allred?

I have a few non-fiction pieces I want to get out. My roots are in sports so I tend to gravitate back toward great overcoming obstacle stories but I do also want to work on a new book about a young man who was murdered by his grandmother. It is a horrible, shocking story with twists and turns you can NOT make up! In the fiction world, TWCS will be releasing the third instalment of the Allie Lindell series, The Anniversary Killer in August so I’m very excited about that!

My Rating

❀❀❀❀

Disclaimer

I obtained an ARC from the publisher (via Netgalley) with a view to providing an honest review. The thoughts expressed above, are entirely my own. I don’t like the concept of rating novels as they are subjective to the moment. A five star book today, may be re-evaluated when compared to future novels.

Summary:

Kali Jorgensen is the head instructor at Rainwash Ranch in Horse Canyon, Utah, leading cattle drives for celebrities and CEOs. Living and working alongside her three young daughters and her in-laws is as perfect as life can be since the death of her husband. She’s all about horses and family until a legal team from Houston, Texas, signs on with one problem athlete, his posse, and a world of trouble, and life on the ranch turns upside down.

The Jorgensens are unaware of just how deep the legal woes run with the pampered athlete and just how far the legal team will go to protect his image. Even more alarming is Kali’s unexplainable attraction to the lead attorney.

She Cries is a nail-biting, suspense novel that will leave you signing up for a cattle drive and falling in love with the most unlikely of heroes.

Author Bio: 

Alexandra Allred is a former national and professional athlete turned adventure writer turned humorist and novelist. She’s often been called the next Erma Bombeck with a grudge. Her annual Christmas letters, which have frequently made the news, could make the Grinch weep with joy. For a taste of holiday glee, see Blog. 

She Cries is a very personal novel for Allred as many of the horses featured in this book are based on horses she has known and loved, including her beloved Star.

Allred writes for Waxahachie Daily Light newspaper, continues to testify in Washington D.C. on behalf of children with asthma and our need for clean air, and she’s never too far from her gym in Midlothian, Texas. You can always drop her a note at her Email Address.

Connect with Alexandra Allred on: 

Facebook, Twitter, Blog and Goodreads

Also by Alexandra Allred: