Thursday, November 12, 2015

Ocean Park by Michael Walsh (Excerpt and GIVEAWAY) GFT





by Michael Walsh

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GENRE:  Mystery, with minor romance

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BLURB:

All Detective Matt Conley ever wanted was to raise a family in Ocean Park with his stunning and ambitious wife Lisa. When a corpse is found in his church, Matt begins a journey that reveals corruption and decay in his city and deceit in his marriage. As he searches for the murderer of a local businessman, a gang war erupts for control of the city’s drug trade, and the body count rises. With his reluctant new partner, Detective Lloyd Kendricks, Matt weaves his way through the puzzling connections between street gangs, politicians, bikers, and a private kink club.

Will their unlikely alliance be enough to return Matt's beloved hometown to its halcyon days? And will he find the faith he needs to rebuild his crumbling marriage?

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Exclusive excerpt:

She put her hand over his and he felt electricity, and fantasized her saying, ”Let’s forget this bullshit, Matt. How about a nooner?”

“Lisa, there’s something I’ve got to tell you about—ˮ

“I heard about the murder in St. Amby’s,” she interrupted.

He nodded. “Two days ago. I need to give you a heads up about what happened. Eddie and I were called to investigate—”

“Your priest friend must be freaked.”

“Father McCarrick acts like he’s in charge, but I know when he’s upset. Talks like he’s high on helium. A guy named Victor Rodriguez was the vic, Puerto Rican with a big insurance business. Insured most of the Hispanics in Ocean Park.”

She leaned forward, looked interested, concerned, caring, which made him think about . . .

Unselfishness.“Marriage is not all about you, Matt. Think about your wife.”

“Congressman Conley,” he said. “That has a ring to it, Lisa. Think you have a chance?”

She flattened her hands on the desk and hunched forward as if sharing a secret. “Special elections are always tough and I’m fighting an incumbent, but I’m polling in first place, Matt. Ahead of Congressman Diaz. Lots of rumors around his extracurricular activities. Nasty stuff. Kinky sex.”

“Are they true?”

“I have no idea.” She winked. “But my campaign manager—Bill McNulty—takes every opportunity to remind voters.”

Ambition—that’s certainly a candidate for the cause of our troubles. Lisa is married to me and a couple of careers—Essex County prosecutor and aspiring politician.

“If you got in, it’d be great for Ocean Park. You’d help turn it around.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Bill says Marblehead and Swampscott are the key towns—places to build a political career. Do you remember Bill? You met at the District Attorney’s Christmas party.”

“I think so. Skinny guy, porn star mustache, wimpy handshake. Kind of a pretty boy.”

Jealousy? Be careful. He imagined Larkin wagging his index finger and shaking his head in warning.

The corner of her mouth twitched and she squinted mischievously. “Bill and I don’t shake hands and I haven’t seen a lot of pornos, Matt, so I really can’t compare. He’s pretty trim, though.”

“Lisa, let me tell you about that night in the church.”

The hollow door to her office swung open. Bill McNulty strode in and threw Monday’s Ocean Park Gazette on her desk. The paper scattered, tumbling as if he’d brought a windstorm. Lisa sat upright, hands folded, elbows planted on the edge of the desk.


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 Michael Walsh attended Boston University, where he became a staffer for the Daily Free Press and earned a degree in journalism. His first professional job was at a public relations and advertising firm, writing press releases that appeared in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and New England Journal of Engineering. He later became a technical writer, writing and editing jet engine manuals for General Electric Aircraft Engines. GE relocated him to Cincinnati and Florida, where he currently resides. He’s written and studied fiction for years at BU, the University of Cincinnati, and now Jacksonville, where he won the First Coast Writers Festival short story contest and had work published in the UK’s Twisted Tongue and Askew Reviews. He’s an active member of the Bard Society, Florida’s longest-running writers’ workshop.

His five novels and dozens of short stories, most of them richly-layered mysteries, take place in New England. Mike and his wife Jean live in Florida with their three sons.


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GIVEAWAY


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The tour dates can be found here


22 comments:

  1. If you were going to go to the movies alone, what would be the perfect film for you to watch by yourself?

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    1. Mai,
      The Dark Knight. I find a different nuance every time I watch.

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    2. I love musicals...my hubby not so much...so those are perfect for me to watch alone, because I would be able to hum the music to myself, lol. Thanks for the question, Mai, it's always great to see you and find out what you are curious about!

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  2. Excerpt sounds perfect. I am adding to my list. Did you do a lot of research?

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    1. Debby,
      Yes, I researched Asian gangs, human trafficking and other details thoroughly. Surprisingly, it was a lot of fun!

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    2. Glad you're adding it to your list, Debby. Thanks for dropping in!

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  3. Replies
    1. Thanks for reading it, Rita. I appreciate you popping in!

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  4. Great excerpt! I'm looking forward to reading this one, it sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Glad you liked it, Victoria! Good to see you!

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  5. Sounds like a great book, thanks for sharing!

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    1. You are very welcome, Eva. Thanks for the visit!

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  6. Sounds like a great read! I love mystery books.

    Betul E.

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    Replies
    1. Excellent, Betul, sounds like this would be perfect for you. Thank you for dropping by!

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  7. I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. Glad that you enjoyed it, patrick. Thanks for popping in!

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  8. Thanks to The Reading Addict for hosting and to all who dropped by!

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    1. So sorry not to be be here when you visited, Michael. Hope the tour went well and thank you for taking the time to come by and interact with some of my visitors!

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  9. Replies
    1. It is fascinating to find out about the person behind the pen, isn't it, Mary? Thanks for the visit!

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