Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: chanti

SHORTLIST for the 2018 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers
The Little Peeps Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works of Early Readers. The Little Peeps Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer Reviews International Book Awards – the CIBAs.

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Storybooks, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books & Educational Books we will put them to the test and choose the best Children’s Books among them.

Congratulations to the following titles that made the 2018 Little Peeps Book Awards Shortlist. They are now competing for the SEMI-FINALISTS Positions. The Semi-Finalists will compete for the limited First Place Category Positions.

Good Luck to All as Your Works Compete for the Semi-Finalists Positions!
- Carolyn Watkins – The Knock...a collection of childhood memories
- Pamela Tomlin – My Truly Most Favorite Fluffy Friend
- Ashley Davidson-Fisher – La Petite Josette en Provence Going To Les Baux-de-Provence (Voyage aux Baux-de-Provence)
- A. & C. Kruspe – I’m Car 55, But I Want to Be Number 1
- Leea Baltes – Goodnight Wishes!
- Lisa Rinaca – Kelsey’s Summer Kitchen
- Sylva Fae – Yoga Fox
- Sylva Fae – Mindful Monsters
- Carolyn Leeper – My Stars!
- Lauren Mosback – Braving the Bully
- Eva Newermann – The Universe: A Work of Art
- Denise Ditto – The Tooth Collector Fairies: Home from Decay Valley
- Cathy Venette – Silent Simon
- Stephanie Warner – Mopsey and the Diverse Dog Show
- Leah Venegas – Wobbles
- Stacy Einfalt – Go Team!
- Stacy Einfalt – Logan & The Lonesome Moose
- Theresa A. O’Kane – Dragonfly Surprise
- Peggy Sullivan – Tevye the Magical Theater Cat
- Sheree K. Nielsen & Pat Wahler – Midnight The One-Eyed Cat
- Lauren Mosback – My Sister’s Super Skills
- Veronica Ruth Fischer – Oscar’s Christmas Wish
- Ellie Smith – Tex the Explorer: Journey to Mars
The 2018 Little Peeps Shortlisters will compete for the Semi-finalists positions. First-In-Category Positions will be selected from the Semi-Finalists. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the Little Peeps GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CBR Overall Grand Prize for Best Book.

Little Peeps Awards Winners, Sara Dahmen, Denise Ditto, and Donna Washington

All Semi-Finalists will receive high visibility along with special badges to wear during the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.

The Little Peeps Grand Prize Winner and the First Place Category Position award winners along with all Short Listers in attendance will be announced at the April 27th, 2019 Chanticleer Book Awards Annual Awards Gala, which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash.

To compete in the 2019 Little Peeps Book Awards or for more information, please click here.

Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are why literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also why our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.

Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews International Book Awards –the CIBAs.
October 20, 2018
How Do Football and Fiction Writing Connect? Read on to Find Out How with T.K. Riggins, Fantasy Author

T.K. Riggins, OZMA Grand Prize Winner for “How to Set the World on Fire”

Ten Questions Interview with the OZMA Grand Prize Award Winner, T.K. Riggins, that shares his writing tips and tools with us.

Money Jane won First Place in the 2018 CIBAs OZMA Awards for Fantasy Novels. Congratulations!

I first met T.K. Riggins at CAC18 where his novel, How to Set the World on Fire won Grand Prize in the OZMA Awards. T.K.’s a cool guy. He strikes up conversations with ease and doesn’t really seem to take himself too seriously. Maybe that’s because he started writing on a dare… but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Meet the author, T.K. Riggins!

Chanticleer: Tell us a little about yourself: How did you start writing?

Riggins: I started writing because of a dare. My friend was searching for something new to read, but instead of recommending a book, I decided to write something for her. It was a ten-page short story that was based on a farming event from my past, and I turned it into a tale of fantasy. It was a fun experience, and my friend was so impressed that she wanted to read more, so I just kept going.

Chanticleer: That’s kind of funny! When did you realize you that you were an author?

Riggins: The first time I felt like an author was when a stranger read my work, critiqued it, and told me they wanted to read more. The recognition was nice and gave me the confidence to continue, but the major takeaway was being able to overcome the vulnerability that comes with giving my writing to someone that I didn’t know. It’s one thing to have friends and family read my story because I knew that they’d support me no matter what. It was entirely different to bare my soul to someone who wasn’t as obligated to spare my feelings.

Chanticleer: Yes, check that thin-author-skin in for something a little thicker. I think we can all relate to that. Tell me, do you find yourself following the rules or do you like to make up your own rules?

Riggins: I attended a seminar taught by Larry Brooks, the author of Story Engineering. In part of his lecture, he compared writing a novel to playing the game of football. He stressed how in football, there are certain rules that can’t be changed like the size of the field, how many downs there are, and how many players are on the turf at a time. However, the thing that can be changed is how the players play the game.

Like the game of football, professional novels have elements that can’t be changed like how it’s formatted, where the inciting incident should be, how the story arc relates to the climax, etc. The thing that can be changed is how the writer tells the story.

Football and Writing

So in the end, it ends up being a little bit of both. I follow certain structural elements to make sure that readers easily enjoy the flow of the novel, but what I write about and how the characters evolve ends up following the rules that I make up.

Chanticleer: It seems to be working for you. Hello OZMA Grand Prize! What do you do when you’re not writing? Tells us a little about your hobbies.

Riggins: I’m a big sports fan. I grew up playing basketball, baseball, soccer and hockey. Lately, my focus has been on Crossfit and beach volleyball. Crossfit has a reputation of being a fad workout program, but I love it because it preaches intensity, structure, and competition. Not only does it provide an escape from sitting in front of a computer screen, but it helps me improve both my physical and mental strength in a community filled with others that constantly work on maximizing their skillset.

Chanticleer: I always envy those who can endure a single session of Crossfit. Me? I trip as soon as I walk in the door… Let’s change the subject… How structured are you in your writing work?

Riggins: Because I still work a full-time job as an engineer, most of my writing occurs at night and on weekends, but I don’t worry about setting a certain time limit on the craft. Sometimes I write for fifteen minutes, other times I might go for hours. That’s not to say that I don’t think about my writing constantly. I make notes while at work, at the gym, or even if I wake up from a dream. I feel like it’s easier to sit down and write based on my notes rather than try to sit at a computer and force the words to come out.

On the other hand, it’s useful to have deadlines in mind. I find that sometimes I get stuck trying to find the right words, perfect character names, or minor plot point.

Instead of waiting for that lightning bolt of inspiration, I think it’s useful to push through a few paragraphs that I know are going to require editing later, just to keep the flow of the story going. First drafts are never perfect anyway, so sometimes I sacrifice a few little details in order to reach the broader goal of building the story.

Chanticleer: I hope everyone is paying attention to what you just said. It’s so valuable to just keep writing, to let the creativity flow. Good job. It is important to work on your craft, though, so what do you do to grow your author chops?

Riggins: I read everything. I read non-fiction articles ranging from creating tension in writing to marketing tips for self-published authors. I read fiction stories that are both inside and outside my genre. I read books that my peers recommend, and some that my young nieces and nephews are into.

A lot of the time, my reading doesn’t translate into great ideas for my own writing, but I feel like hearing the voices of other authors helps strengthen my own. Even studying other artists in music and visual art helps inspire my own craft.

Chanticleer: That’s really good. Thank you. Give us your best marketing tips, what’s worked to sell more books, gain notoriety, and expand your literary footprint.

Riggins: The best marketing advice I ever received was to keep things simple. In every area of business, there are mountains of opportunities and strategies that are complex and overwhelming. There are even elements that may work for one business that end up being a complete failure for another. The key is to keep the focus on one thing at a time and try to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way, rather than tackling everything at once. Longevity is the ultimate goal, even when tasks seem quick, small, meaningful or useless.

Chanticleer: I like that, keep it simple. What are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?

Riggins: I just released my second novel Money Jane. It’s the sequel to How to Set the World on Fire and is book two in a series of six. I’m currently writing the third book in the series, but I’m also involved with developing an indie video game app to be paired with my book series. It’s going to be really fun, and add another dimension to the How to Set the World on Fire franchise.

Chanticleer: That is such amazing news! Six-book series AND a video game app! (Read our reviews of How to Set the World on Fire and Money Jane.) Who’s the perfect reader for your book?

Riggins: My books are aimed towards middle-grade students, ages 8 – 12. However, I’ve had a lot of great feedback from my millennial friends and their baby boomer parents who enjoy reading my novels. My entire series is really for anyone who wants to feel good and escape into an adventure filled fantasy, where the main characters build relationships, overcome challenges, and live happily ever after.

Chanticleer: What is the most important thing a reader can do for an author?

Riggins: Tell someone about the books you’re reading, especially if it’s something you enjoy. Give it to a friend, family member, or someone you’ve just met. Recommend it at your library, write a review online, or share your thoughts on social media. Be a part of the community rather than just an outside spectator, because we’re all in this together!

Chanticleer: Thank you, T.K., you are the best!

Okay, you know what to do next, right? Go check out T.K. Riggin’s website – take a look at his books, buy them! He’s a vetted award-winning author – and he’s one of our favorite people.

T.K. Riggins can be found in these places:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

And his book can be found here:

How to Set the World on Fire and here is the link to Money Jane

October 15, 2018
The CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction Semi-Finalists for the 2018 CIBAs
The Cygnus Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Science Fiction, Steampunk, Alternative History, and Speculative Fiction. The Cygnus Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (CIBA).

These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from Long Listers (Slush Pile Survivors) to the SHORTLIST and have now moved on to the SEMI-FINALISTS list of the 2018 Cygnus Book Awards. These entries are now in competition for the limited First Place Category Positions for the 2018 Cygnus Book Awards. The 2018 Cygnus Book Awards Semi-Finalists will be recognized at 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. The First Place Positions along with the CYGNUS Grand Prize Award Winner will be selected from this Semi-Finalist list and will be announced at the Awards Gala on Saturday, April 27th, 2019

We will make the SEMIFINALISTS Digital Badge and Book Stickers available before the end of November 2018 and will email the link and the Semi-Finalist notification to those whose works made the list.

Deadline for 2018 CYGNUS Book Awards submissions was April 30, 2018. We are now accepting entries into the 2019 CYGNUS Awards.

ENTER CYGNUS Book Awards for 2019 TODAY
Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring space, time travel, life on other planets, parallel universes, alternate reality, and all the science, technology, major social or environmental changes of the future that author imaginations can dream up. Hard Science Fiction, Soft Science Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction, Cyberpunk, Time Travel, Genetic Modification, Aliens, Super Humans, Interplanetary Travel, and Settlers on the Galactic Frontier, Dystopian, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

These titles are in the running for the top 2018 CYGNUS Book Awards novel competition for Science Fiction First Place Category positions! Good Luck to All!
- Matthew D. Hunt – Solar Reboot
- Sarah Katz – Apex Five
- Paul A. Vasey – Trinity’s Legacy
- Catori Sarmiento – The Fortune Follies
- Stu Jones & Gareth Worthington – It Takes Death to Reach a Star
- Timothy Vincent – Jack Out of the Box
- Isadora Deese – Right of Capture
- Jim Cronin – Recusant
- Lou Dischler – Meet Me Under the Comet
- Richard Mann – Zeus 25 – Jory and Zenobia
- Justine Avery – The One Apart: A Novel
- Pamela LePage – Virtuous Souls
- Denise Lammi – Lucid World
- Mark Daniel Seiler – River’s Child
- Samuel Winburn – Ten Directions
- Rhett C Bruno – Titan’s Wrath
- J. I. Rogers – The Korpes File
- Ted Neill– The Selah Branch
- Gareth Worthington – Children of the Fifth Sun
- Alexander Edlund – Keelic and the Pathfinders of Midgarth
Congratulations to these authors for their works moving up from the 2018 CYGNUS SHORTLIST to the Semi-Finalists List.

The CYGNUS SemiFinalists positions will compete for the limited CYGNUS First-In-Category Positions. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the CYGNUS GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CIBA Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.

John Yarrow, CYGNUS Grand Prize Award Winner for The FUTURE’S DARK PAST (2017)

James R. Wells Awarded the Cygnus Grand Prize for THE GREAT SYMMETRY (2015)

All SemiFinalists will receive high visibility along with special badges to wear during the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala.

Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists in this fiercely competitive contest!

Good Luck to each of you as your work competes in the 2018 CYGNUS International Book Awards.
The CYGNUS Grand Prize Winner and the Five First Place Category Position award winners will be announced at the April 27th, 2019 Chanticleer Book Awards Annual Awards Gala, which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash.

Bennett Coles CYGNUS Grand Prize for VIRTUES of WAR (2013) The series was picked up by TITAN U.K.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2019 CYGNUS Awards writing competition. The deadline for submissions into the 2019 CYGNUS Book Awards is April 30th, 2019. Please click here for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
October 13, 2018
October Spotlight on OZMA – FANTASY NOVEL WRITING CONTEST
October Spotlight on the OZMA Awards – All things Fantasy, Magical Realms, Fantastical Creatures, Mythical Beings… you get the picture…

In October there’s a bit of a nip in the morning air, the days begin with mist clinging to the grass, and the sun peeks out in the afternoons. We add an extra layer – sweaters, warm socks, down vests. Late crops are set in and some are ready for harvest, pumpkins in all shapes and colors, broccoli, cabbage. Gone are our vine-ripened tomatoes and sweet peppers. Coffee shops around town offer up all-things pumpkin. October is the month our family pulls out J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy and immerse ourselves in another world because, in October, anything can happen.

A portion of Tiepolo Giambattista, Die Unbefleckte Empfängnis, 1767-1768-Drachen

You may ask yourself, what is OZMA? Simply put, OZMA refers to L. Frank Baum’s book Ozma of Oz, the third book in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series, in which Dorothy and her uncle travel to Australia. On the way, poor Dorothy is swept overboard with her chicken and are rescued by Princess Ozma of the land of Ev. The story goes on and adventure abounds and at long last Dorothy is returned safely with her chicken to Oz. Fascinating story.

But, this is only the origin of the OZMA Awards.

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy that author imaginations dream up without a basis in science as we know it. Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Dragons, Unicorns, Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Gaslight Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or other out of this world fiction, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

The last day to submit your work is October 31, 2018. We invite you to join us, to tell us your stories, and to find out who will take home the prize at CAC19 on April 27th.

As our deadline draws near, don’t pull a disappearing act and forget to enter your fantasy novel! We accept completed manuscripts and published works. Enter today!

We encourage everyone to attend our Awards Ceremony on April 27, 2019, that will take place during the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. First Place category winners will be whisked up on stage to receive their custom ribbon and wait to see who among them will take home the Grand Prize. It’s an exciting evening of dinner, networking, and celebrations!

First Place category winners and Grand Prize winners will each receive a stunning awards package well worth the price of entry into the OZMA Awards competition(VJ) Lakshman grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, where he first discovered his love of the martial arts, mythological heroes, and exotic lands, all of which influenced the development of characters and the world in his debut fantasy series, Mythborn – Fate of the Sovereign.s.

The OZMA Hall of Fame

2017 Grand Prize Winner:

How to Set the World on Fire by T.K. Riggins is a coming-of-age school of magic novel that readers will find hard to put down.

“T.K. Riggins started writing because of a dare. His friend was searching for something new to read, and after coming up empty-handed, challenged Riggins to take action. Instead of recommending a book, he decided to pen a story of his own.”

2017 First Place Winners include:
- Eva’s Soul by Sarah M. Morin
- Daughter of Aithne by Karin Rita Gastreich
- In Her World: The Dark-Winter War by John W. Lord
- The One Apart: A Novel by Justine Avery
- Runebinder by Alex R. Kahler
- The Engine Woman’s Light by Laurel Anne Hill
- The Bookminder by M. K. Wiseman
2016 Grand Prize Winner:

“Set against the epic backdrop of myths and legends brought to life, Mythborn II continues the sweeping saga of Arek Winterthorn, wayward apprentice of the eldritch Way, as he struggles to survive in the demon realm of Arcadia.” Mythborn Media/Mythborn Books

Vijay Lakshman

“(VJ) Lakshman grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, where he first discovered his love of the martial arts, mythological heroes, and exotic lands, all of which influenced the development of characters and the world in his debut fantasy series, Mythborn – Fate of the Sovereign.”

2016 First Place Winners:
- Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig
- Song Magick by Elisabeth Hamill
- Amaskan’s Blood by Raven Oak
- Camelot’s Queen by Nicole Evelina
- The Emperor of Babylon by Murray Lee Eiland, Jr.
- Darksea by Gary J. Hurtubise
Our Chanticleer Review Writing Contests feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year!

~$1000 Overall Grand Prize Winner
~$2800 in Genre Grand Prizes
~$28,980 in reviews, prizes, and promotional opportunities awarded to Category Winners

[fusion_button link=”/services#!/Fantasy-Writing-Contests-Sword-&-Sorcery-Fiction-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews-p57162380″ color=”darkgray” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” shadow=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Enter OZMA![/fusion_button]
October 12, 2018
J. D. Barker, MASTER of SUSPENSE, to Keynote and Present at #CAC19

The author of the international bestselling thriller novel series, The Fourth Monkey and The Fifth to Die, along with the highly anticipated gothic horror prequel to Bram Stoker’s masterpiece, Dracul, will keynote and present at the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program. He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. This is a not-to-be-missed session for any aspiring author or the seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

“Not since Hannibal Lecter had a friend for dinner has a serial killer been so skillfully rendered on the page.”
—Taylor Elmore, Writer/Producer of Justified and Limitless

“This book is seriously brilliant: the best serial killer thriller I’ve ever read.”
—Lisa Milton, Executive Editor HarperCollins HQ

“The Fourth Monkey has one of the most ingenious openings that I’ve read in years. This thriller never disappoints.”
—James Patterson, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author

Sold at auction to CBS Films with Bill Todman, Marc Webb, and Taylor Elmore attached, by Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency, Angela Cheng Caplan of Cheng Caplan Company Inc. and attorney Wayne Alexander.

“J.D. Barker is a one-of-a-kind writer and that’s a rare and special thing. Stephen King comes to mind and Lee Child, John Sandford. All one-of-a-kinds. Don’t miss anything J.D. writes.”
—James Patterson, #1 International Bestselling Author

“Barker knows how to evoke chilling imagery and will have readers anxiously looking over their shoulders with each terrifying “clickity, click, click.”
— Library Journal

~Film rights optioned by Paramount with Andy Muschetti (IT, Mama) attached to direct!
~Named a Fall 2018 Buzz Book by Publisher’s Lunch!
~Named one of Publisher’s Weekly Top 10 Books of Fall 2018!
~Starred review at Library Journal!

“Brilliant… Close your windows. Lock your doors. Turn the lights on. Place a silver crucifix around your neck, and make sure to have a few sharp wooden stakes nearby. In other words, prepare yourself for a transfixing journey into the diabolically delicious world of DRACUL — if you dare.”
—Chanticleer Reviews

J.D. Barker’s debut novel that he self-published in 2014 is Forsaken. This is his indie novel that drew the attention of agents and traditional publishers to his debut thriller series, The Fourth Monkey, which lead to pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt picking up for the U.S. and HarperCollins in the U.K.

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an internationally bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

J. D. Barker, Master of Suspense, and Intl’ Bestselling Author

We are thrilled to announce that J.D. Barker, Master of Suspense, will keynote and present at the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

We first met JD in New York at the Writers Digest Conference this past August. Clearly thrilled to hear about Dracul, we were also quite impressed with Mr. Barker himself. He struck us as professional (serious), engaging (doesn’t take himself too seriously), and approachable (willing to share what he knows about writing with those who are working hard on their own craft).

In other words, JD Barker is a #SeriousAuthor who, when we asked him to join us at CAC19 as a keynote speaker and to present share his journey and knowledge with Chanticleer authors, not only did he graciously accept but said to count him in for all three days! April cannot come soon enough for us because we cannot wait for you to meet him. Below are a few samples of J.D. sessions for #SeriousAuthors at #CAC19

Below are a couple of the sessions he will present:

MAKING THE LEAP FROM INDIE TO TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. His sessions are not to be missed by any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

CROSSING GENRE and WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT!

From the moment you send out your first query letter, your work will be labeled by agents, publishers, and booksellers. Instead of resisting the urge to be labeled, J.D. will teach you why you should consider labels a way to make your books, and your author platform, more marketable.

Learn how to avoid the genre box and tell the story you want to tell to the largest possible group with the help of J.D. Barker who has successfully crossed over from horror, to paranormal, to thriller, and back again.

DID WE TELL YOU HOW EXCITED WE ARE THAT JD BARKER IS KEYNOTING at CAC!

Register for CAC19 today! Registrations are limited.

October 10, 2018
The DANTE ROSSETTI Book Awards for YA Fiction – the SHORTLIST for the 2018 CIBAs
The DANTE ROSSETTI Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Young Adult Fiction. The Dante Rossetti Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions ( The #CIBAs).

These titles have moved forward in the judging slush rounds to the 2018 Dante Rossetti Book Awards SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the limited 2018 Dante Rossetti Semi-Finalists from which the First Place Category Positions will be chosen. The Dante Rossetti Book Awards Semi-Finalists and First Place Positions along with Dante Rossetti Grand Prize Award Winner will be announced at the Awards Gala on Saturday, April 27th, 2019.

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best new works featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience between the ages of about twelve to eighteen (or those who are young at heart).

These titles are in the running for the next round – the SEMI-Finalist positions for the 2018 Rossetti Book Awards novel competition for Young Adult Fiction. Good Luck to All!

2018 Dante Rossetti Book Awards for Young Adult Fiction – The SHORTLIST
- Mara Gan – Joined
- Dan Morales – The Scouts of St. Michael Operation Archangel
- Luke Jacket – Stuck-up Scumbags of the Eighth Grade
- Janeen Swart – The Hidden Truth
- JoAnna Rowe – Flowers & Fire
- Robert Wright Jr – Unwanted
- Alexander Edlund – Keelic and the Pathfinders
- KB Shaw – From the Shadows
- Tom Edwards – The Honourable Catherine
- Carmela A. Martino – Playing by Heart
- Gina Detwiler – Forlorn
- Cheryl G. Bostrom – Climb, Run, Drown
- Alex Paul – Tookan Attack
- Lynn Yvonne Moon – Whispers
- Anne Sweazy-Kulju – Grog Wars, Dos
- C.A. Gray – Uncanny Valley
- Molly Lazer – Owl Eyes: A Fairy Tale
- Tiffany Brooks – Reality Gold
- Andrea and William Vaughan – 2nd Gen
- P. L. Hamilton – League of Potioneers
- Denise Lammi – Lucid World
- Jacinta Jade – Change of Chaos
- Chuck Vance – Sneaking Out
- Andrea Murray – Something New
- Julie Moffett – White Knights
- Susan Faw – Soul Sacrifice
- Sarah Mendivel – Sam’s Theory
- Christy Nicholas – The Enchanted Swans
- Jennifer Alsever – Ember Burning: Trinity Forest Book 1
Congratulations to these authors for their works moving up to the Short List from the slush pile. These novels will now compete for the (Semi-Finalists) Positions!

The Rossetti Short Listers will compete for the SemiFinalists positions that will compete for the Rossetti First-In-Category Positions. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the Dante Rossetti GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CIBA Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.

Click here for the link to the 2018 Rossetti Long List (Slushpile Survivors)

The deadline for submissions into the 2018 Rossetti Book Awards was May 30th, 2018

We are now accepting submissions into the 2019 Rossetti Book Awards writing competition. Please click here for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
October 5, 2018
The CHATELAINE Book Awards for Romantic Fiction – The SHORTLIST for the 2018 CIBAs
The CHATELAINE Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The Chatelaine Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions ( The #CIBAs).

These titles have moved forward in the judging slush rounds to the 2018 Chatelaine Book Awards SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the limited 2018 Chatelaine Semi-Finalists from which the First Place Category Positions will be chosen. The Chatelaine Book Awards Semi-Finalists and First Place Positions along with Chatelaine Grand Prize Award Winner will be announced at the Awards Gala on Saturday, April 27th, 2019.

We are looking for the best new books featuring romantic themes and adventures of the heart, historical love affairs, perhaps a little steamy romance, and stories that appeal especially to women.

These titles are in the running for the next round – the SEMI-Finalist positions for the 2018 Chatelaine Book Awards novel competition for Romantic Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Good Luck to All!
- L.E. Rico – Mischief and Mayhem
- L.E. Rico – Blame It on the Bet
- Trent Meunier – Flowers and Milkshakes
- Pamela LePage – Virtuous Souls
- Gail Noble-Sanderson – The Lavender House in Meuse
- J.P. Kenna – Allurement Westward
- Mona Sedrak – Six Months
- Cerella Sechrist – The Way Back to Erin
- Kate Vale – Friends Forever
- Malinda Andrews – The Irish Baker
- Rebekah N. Bryan – Brit with the Pink Hair
- Lauren E. Rico – Solo
- Karen Fitzpatrick – Sincerely, Amelia
- Elizabeth Crowens – Dear Bernie, I’m Glad You’re Dead
- Elizabeth Crowens – Dear Mr. Hitchcock
- F. E. Greene – The Next Forever
- Elena Mikalsen – Wrapped in the Stars
- Diane Shute – Midnight Crossing
- Lucinda Brant – Satyr’s Son: A Georgian Historical Romance
- Alix Nichols – Playing with Fire
- Alix Nichols – The Traitor’s Bride
- Nicola Slade – The House at Ladywell
- Michelle Cox – A Promise Given
- Diana A. Hicks – Love Over Lattes
- Tammy Mannersly – Persuading Lucy
Congratulations to these authors for their works moving up to the Short List from the slush pile. These novels will now compete for the (Semi-Finalists) Positions!

Chatelaine Grand Prize Winner M. A. Clarke Scott

The Chatelaine Short Listers will compete for the SemiFinalists positions that will compete for the Chatelaine First-In-Category Positions. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the Chatelaine GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CIBA Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2019 Chatelaine Book Awards writing competition. The deadline for submissions into the 2019 Chatelaine Book Awards is August 30th, 2019. Please click here for more information.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
September 25, 2018
Master of Suspense, J.D. Barker, to Keynote and Present at Chanticleer Authors Conference 2019

Welcome to STORYTELLERS and STORY MAKERS!

The 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference

This year J.D. BARKER, MASTER of SUSPENSE, is coming to CAC19 as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. We are THRILLED!

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut novel as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

J.D. Barker: International Bestselling Author whose works incorporate elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural…

J.D. Barker is the internationally best-selling author of THE FOURTH MONKEY and FORSAKEN. As a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award and winner of the New Apple Medalist Award, his work has been compared to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Thomas Harris.

His third novel, THE FIFTH TO DIE, released in June 2018.

He has been asked by the Stoker family to co-author the forthcoming prequel to DRACULA due out in fall 2018. His novels have been translated into numerous languages and optioned for both film and television.

We first met JD in New York at the Writers Digest Conference this past August. Clearly thrilled to hear about Dracul, we were also quite impressed with Mr. Barker himself. He struck us as professional (serious), engaging (doesn’t take himself too seriously), and approachable (willing to share what he knows about writing with those who are working hard on their own craft).

In other words, JD Barker is a #SeriousAuthor who, when asked to join us at CAC19, not only did he graciously accept, but said to count him info all 3 days! April cannot come soon enough for us because we cannot wait for you to meet him.

Below are a few samples of J.D. sessions for #SeriousAuthors.

MAKING THE LEAP FROM INDIE TO TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

J.D. Barker successfully published his debut as an indie and sold enough copies to land on the radar of the traditional publishers in a BIG way including seven-figure advances, two feature films, and a television program.

He’ll open his toolbox and explain exactly what he did to make it happen. His sessions are not to be missed by any aspiring author or seasoned veteran trying to find their place in today’s publishing world.

CROSSING GENRE and WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT!

From the moment you send out your first query letter, your work will be labeled by agents, publishers, and booksellers. Instead of resisting the urge to be labeled, J.D. will teach you why you should consider labels a way to make your books, and your author platform, more marketable.

Learn how to avoid the genre box and tell the story you want to tell to the largest possible group with the help of J.D. Barker who has successfully crossed over from horror, to paranormal, to thriller, and back again.

DID WE TELL YOU HOW EXCITED WE ARE THAT JD BARKER IS KEYNOTING at CAC!

You’ll want to check out his website, but here is a little bit from his bio:

While in college, one of his writing assignment found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson. Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture and by 1991 Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications.

In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine-tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.

Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others including a New Apple Medalist Award.

After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.

Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television.

Save the dates – April 26-26, 2019 – for 3 days that will change your life. #CAC19 #SeriousAuthors

We have the perfect registration packet for you!

[Editor’s Note of Interest: Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), stage name was formed by combining and juxtaposing the names of two American pop cultural icons of the 1960s: actress Marilyn Monroe and criminal Charles Manson… Commentators have referred to the band’s lead singer as being one of the most iconic and controversial figures in heavy metal music, with some going so far as to call him a “pop culture icon.” Paste magazine said there were “few artists in the 90s as shocking as Marilyn Manson, the most famous of the shock-rockers.” – Wikipedia citing]

September 20, 2018
S is for September Spotlight on LITTLE PEEPS Awards – Children’s Literature, Picture Books, Educational Books, Beginning Chapter Books, Activity Books
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[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

In September we welcome rich and beautiful, inspiring and fascinating stories for our pre-readers, for those who are learning to read, and for those who love reading stories to the wee ones in their lives…

S is for September, and
September is for Little Peeps.

What are the LITTLE PEEPS Awards? Here we have stories that help children look into lives and experiences different from their own, stories that spark the imagination, and drive discovery. These stories teach and comfort, entertain and inspire. These are the carefully crafted stories that open the doors of wonder and invite the children of the world to fall in love with reading. Welcome to the LITTLE PEEPS!

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Storybooks, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books & Educational Books we will put them to the test and choose the best Children’s Books among them.

The very last day to submit your work is September 30, 2018. We invite you to join us, to tell us your stories, and to find out who will take home the prize at CAC19 on April 27th.

As our deadline draws near, don’t miss this opportunity to earn distinction for your Children’s Book. Enter today!

All category winners have the opportunity to attend our Awards Ceremony on April 27, 2019, that will take place during the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference. First Place category winners will be whisked up on stage to receive their custom ribbon and wait to see who among them will take home the Grand Prize. It’s an exciting evening of dinner, networking, and celebrations!

First Place category winners and Grand Prize winners will each receive a stunning awards package well worth the price of entry into the LITTLE PEEPS Awards competitions.

The LITTLE PEEPS Awards for the best Children’s Literature:

The Grand Prize LITTLE PEEPS Winner in 2017:

Midnight and Moonlight by Peggy Sullivan, M.Ed.“…is a heartwarming story about two different cats who find that friendship is what matters most.”

Peggy Sullivan, M.Ed., Counseling, LMHC, NCC, CHT is dedicated to helping her clients, young and not so young, live their fullest lives. She had many books for all ages, but we are so thankful she submitted Midnight and Moonlight to the LITTLE PEEPS Awards! Grand Prize Winner sounds very nice!

2017 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers First in Category Winners are:
- Lessons from a Cat: The Moon and Star; Midnight and Moonlight by Peggy Sullivan
- A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be by Kizzie Jones
- Rainbow Monsters by Sylva Fae
- Angel on Assignment by Wanda Carter Roush
- Wishes and Kisses by Heather Pallotta
Grand Prize LITTLE PEEPS Winner of 2016:

The Tooth Collector Fairies: Batina’s Best First Day by Denise Ditto Satterfield is a story about trying new things and finding out that you can do a job you once believed was too big for you.

Denise Ditto Satterfield says this about herself, “When I think about writing, I get happy. My brain kicks into overdrive and the ideas flow freely like Niagara Falls!” She is a busy author and loves what she does. For more on Denise, check out her 10 Question Author Interview right here.

1st Place Category Winners in 2016:
- Story Book: The Blue Beetle by Sara Dahmen
- Chapter Grade Book: The Tooth Collector Fairies, Batina’s Best First Day by Denise Ditto Satterfield
- Activity Book: Rikki & the Rocket Twins Adventure 1: Discovering the Solar System by Kneko Burney
- Educational Book: The Adventures of Frank and Mustard: Stuck in the Mud by Simon Calcavecchia
- Picture Book: The Mouse and the Mole Hill by Donna Washington
Your Children’s Book could earn a place in our LITTLE PEEPS hall of fame for the CIBA 2018 Best Books.

All you have to do is to enter your manuscript or published Children’s Book.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”transparent” class=”” id=””]What are the Little Peeps Awards?[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_5″ layout=”3_5″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]Our Little Peeps Awards are Chanticleer’s search for the best in Children’s Literature!

We are looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Story books, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books & Educational Books we will put them to the test and choose the best Children’s Books among them. (For Middle-Grade entries see our Gertrude Warner Awards) [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_5″ layout=”2_5″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”1px” border_color=”#606060″ border_style=”solid” padding_top=”10px” padding_right=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px” padding_left=”10px” class=”” id=”” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

Our Chanticleer Review Writing Contests feature more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes each year!
- All First in Category Winning Titles will be placed in the queue to receive a coveted Chanticleer Book Review Package (value $395) and go on to compete for the genre Grand Prize and the Overall Grand Prize.
- The Overall Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Book of the Year and awarded the $1000 prize
- All Winners receive a Chanticleer Prize Package which includes a digital badge, a ribbon and a whole assortment of goodies
[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”/services#!/Little-Peeps-Fiction-Writing-Contests-Chanticleer-Book-Reviews/p/58078150/category=5193080″ color=”darkgray” size=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_blank” title=”” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” shadow=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]Enter Now![/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
September 19, 2018
10 Questions Author Interview with KEITH TITTLE – 2016 CLUE Awards GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Meet Keith Tittle!

Keith took home the 2016 Grand Prize in the CIBA CLUE category for A Matter of Justice. He’s a quiet man whose chosen genre, Mystery/Thriller, fits well. He’s a baseball fan who writes with clarity and fleshes out his lead characters with believable determination and grit.

Chanticleer: Tell us a little about yourself, Keith, how did you start writing?

Tittle: I have been writing creatively for most of my life. In fact, there is a picture of four-year-old me sitting in front of my dad’s old portable typewriter, probably caught in the throes of my first case of writer’s block. But I never seriously considered the possibility of doing something with my writing until I took an Introduction to Writing Fiction course — taught by Sheila Simonson, the author of the Lark Dodge and Latouche County Mystery series — and came away with a much better sense of my abilities.

Chanticleer: That’s a good way to start! When did you realize you that you were indeed an author?

Tittle: I don’t think the transition from writer to author happened for me until I held the proof copy of my first mystery, Drawn Back. It’s an amazing feeling to see your name on the cover of a book but, until that moment, I still harbored nagging self-doubts about my ability to see a novel through from beginning to end.

Chanticleer: That’s a big fear for many authors. How to get from Beginning to End. But once you start writing, the answer comes. What genre best describes your work?

Tittle: This should be a far easier question for me to answer than it is. I would classify both Drawn Back and A Matter of Justice as Mystery/Suspense at their core, and yet they are as different from each other as they are alike. A Matter of Justice dances on the edge of being a thriller. Drawn Back is a little more character-driven, and has elements of romance and time travel. But if you’re going to hold my feet to the fire, I’ll say I write Mystery/Suspense.

Chanti: What led you to write in this genre?

Tittle: I like to tell people that I wrote my first novel for a demographic of one; the only person I could be sure would buy my book was my mother, and she loved both mysteries and stories of time travel. But it’s also true that the plot for Drawn Back chose me, rather than the other way around. As the story unfolded for me I found that I loved the challenge of writing a complex mystery with so many moving parts. I also enjoyed the opportunities the genre offered to explore my characters’ motivations and morality in the darkest of circumstances.

Chanti: Do you find yourself following the rules or do you like to make up your own rules?

Tittle: Rules regarding genre make excellent guidelines, especially for new writers, but I think if you adhere to them too closely you risk being formulaic. My writing always begins with a basic premise, a general idea of where the story begins and where I think it will end. In the back of my mind, I have the details of the crimes being solved, the why and the how and the who. How the story then unfolds after that is dictated almost entirely by the characters I’ve put in place. There is no outline, no formula … and no rules.

Chanti: That is fascinating. It takes a lot of trust in your author abilities to be able to do that. Give us some of your favorite authors and describe how they influence your work.

Tittle: My approach to storytelling and dialogue has probably been more strongly influenced by my love of movies — particularly those of the 1930s and 40s — than by any specific author, but there are a few I would love to be favorable compared to.

I’ve always been drawn to the humor and versatility of Terry Pratchett and Christopher Moore. Both excel at creating characters who are intensely human, entirely relatable, and completely individual. I certainly strive for that in my own books. Within my genre, I think Dashiell Hammett should be a required read for any writer who wants to join the ‘murder and mayhem’ club. From Red Harvest and The Maltese Falcon to the Continental Op short stories, Hammett was an absolute master. Another mystery writer I’m addicted to is Timothy Hallinan. I love the wit and humanity he instills into his revolving cast of characters, and his Junior Bender series is about as much fun as you can have in the world of crime fiction.

Chanti: Love those authors. Good choices! You mentioned that you were influenced by the movies of the 30’s and 40’s; why that period, specifically?

Tittle: I think it has to do with the Production Code that was in place at the time. The strict rules regarding sexuality, language and violence forced writers and directors to be more creative and subtle in their storytelling. The best of them, people like Preston Sturges and Howard Hawks, were geniuses at providing just enough detail for the audience to fill in the more salacious — or graphic — blanks for themselves. Moviegoers, as well as readers, are far more intuitive than they are sometimes given credit for.

Chanti: Right. Good point. What areas in your writing are you most confident in? What advice would you give someone who is struggling in that area?

Tittle: My approach to storytelling tends to be more cinematic, with multiple viewpoints and quick cuts. Because of that, I think I’ve had to become fairly adept at creating, and then inhabiting, a diverse cast of characters in each of my books. Male and female, Irish, Russian … I work hard to make each voice distinct and consistent, without seeming like a cliché or caricature.

As for advice, I encourage new writers to become more active observers of the people around them. Tune into the way people speak, which words they emphasize, their cadence and inflection, their body language. Then, as an exercise, challenge yourself to write something — anything — from that person’s viewpoint. Try to capture their internal thoughts and spoken dialogue, as well as the physical ‘beats.’ To improve your dialogue, flip that exercise completely and write an entire scene with absolutely no physical beats or attributions. If you can still easily differentiate between your characters, you’re that much closer to writing tight scenes without all the unnecessary ‘he said/she said.’

Chanti: That’s brilliant! And a great way to further character development. Thanks for that. What are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?

Tittle: I love exploring old crimes, and how they continue to affect people years later. The second book in the Jefferson Dawes series, The War on Cain, revolves around a decades-old, race-related murder in Portland that resurfaces. With current racial tensions running high, the DA’s office is reluctant to reopen the investigation, so it falls to Jeff to find the people responsible.

Chanti: Sounds good! Who’s the perfect reader for your book?

Tittle: Readers of mystery and suspense, certainly, but I think anyone who enjoys losing themselves in the characters they’re reading about — regardless of the genre — will probably enjoy the ride.

You know what to do now, right? If you’ve enjoyed this 10 Question Interview with Keith Tittle, please “like” & “share” it!

Check out Keith’s website at https://www.keithtittle.com/

And check out his books

September 15, 2018