Tag Archives: mystery

MEDIA MAVEN TERESA AKER LAUNCHES 1ST MYSTERY NOVEL BASED IN THE WORLD OF HIGH-PRICED REAL ESTATE

My friend, Teresa Aker, has been interviewing celebrities and hi-rollers for her YouTube based tv show Success Diaries with Teresa Aker for over 2 years now, having chatted with Hollywood and international stars and filmmakers, Grammy & Juno winning musicians, financial advisors and spiritual guides as well as numerous authors. Now, she’s an author herself and what a kick-off for her first in a series of mysteries taking place in the high-stakes world of real estate.

The intro to the story and our heroine states at a prestigious real-estate firm where reputation is currency, ambitious agent Alexandra Sinclair discovers that delayed deals, missing documents and a suspicious amendment may point to something far more dangerous than office politics. Well, if that doesn’t grab you…. yes, I was hooked. (see the story outline at end of this article)I asked Teresa (pictured above) a number of questions (hey, I get to interview her for a change!) about the book and she shared her thoughts here…..

Congratulations on Signed, Sealed, Betrayed, your first novel. So is your heroine, Alexandra Sinclair, loosely based on your own life in real estate? Signed, Sealed, Betrayed is not based on my life, but my years as a realtor certainly helped inspire it. I drew upon my knowledge of the real estate industry – the competitive atmosphere in the commercial industry. The characters and companies are a fictional idea of what might happen if there were a dark side to negotiations.

What first inspired you to write this story…was it a life-long dream to become an author? I love to write. I am actually published in “The Harcourt Holler” for a story I wrote about being a city girl experiencing cottage life for the first time. Heels and all. I wrote my memoirs about grief in another book and then I turned to fiction. This series has been in my thoughts for years and I am pleased to bring it to fruition.

Unlike so much of today’s literary fiction and on-screen capers, there is no shoot ‘em up, bang-bang, blood’n’gore, yes? You chose a more sophisticated level of storytelling – have you received feedback from readers stating how they appreciate and approve of your style? I certainly have. Thank you. I was given feedback by one particular reader who said she was thrilled I showed an ambitious lady with integrity and ethics. She said it was refreshing to read a different type of novel.Over the years of working in real estate, did you ever witness dodgy dealings or questionable corporate manoeuvres? Honestly, no I did not. I worked with some of the most wonderful people in the real estate industry. This is a completely fictional story with made up characters and companies.

You already have a 2^nd book in the works – how long do you plan on writing the series? 3 or 4 more books or, like Agatha Christie’s Poirot, will Alexandra keep solving mysteries for many more years? This series will be written in 6 books. Number 2 will be available in September 2026.

How can people buy a copy? Are you on Amazon or in bookstores? Yes. Signed, Sealed, Betrayed is available on Amazon. Wherever you are in the world, and Amazon is available.

And how can fans follow you/Alexandra? I have a fan page on Facebook under ‘An Alexandra Sinclair Series’ I am also on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube.

The book is 128 pages
Price: Kindle $6.95 (on special now), paperback $13.93 & hardcover $20.87

THE STORY: When top-producing realtor Alexandra Sinclair walks through the golden doors of the prestigious Winstanley-Monroe Group, she expects competition, ambition and the pressure that comes with working among the best. Behind the polished offices, expensive suits and multimillion-dollar deals, though, something isn’t right. Important environmental documents have disappeared. Transactions are being delayed. Somehow the date June 4th keeps appearing as suspicion flows from one colleague to another. With an eye for details and an organized way about her, Alexandra begins putting the pieces together, but in a world where information is power and a signature can be worth millions, discovering the truth could be a problem in more ways than one.CONGRATS, Teresa…I’m thrilled to tell people about your book and encourage readers to buy a copy and support Canadian authors!

AUTHOR PAUL FISHER LAUNCHES 1ST NOVEL “LIKE A RIVER TO THE SEA” FILLED WITH MYSTERY, LIFE, DEATH AND THE METAPHYSICAL WORLD.

Was thrilled to be put in touch with first-time author PAUL FISHER via our mutual friend, Carla Collins. Strange how we are all connected…but maybe not so strange according to Paul whose debut novel LIKE A RIVER TO THE SEA encompasses life, death and beyond. When Paul was 20, his father died at the young age of 47. Paul was with his father during the last few days of his dad’s life and, in fact, was with him in the Intensive Care Unit as his father’s heart failed on several occasions, resulting in a series of near-death experiences. His father, upon resuscitation from each of these events, told Paul that there was a world that existed beyond this life, and did his best to describe the feelings and philosophies that he had been exposed to during his brief sojourns into the “other side”.Like a River to the Sea is the story of an ordinary man, who, it turns out, has a most extraordinary story to tell. Joshua Davidson was born in Nashville Tennessee; in his 41st year, he is about to die there. This is the story of his life, his loves, his hopes, dreams and fears. It is also the story of what happens to him at the moment he shuffles off this mortal coil, and then what lays beyond. It will change the way you look at your own life, and how you tell your own story. Joshua’s story will help you understand how all the seemingly random people and events that collide with us in our lives are, in fact, quite premeditated and full of purpose. The book explores life, death, connections, mystery and the metaphysical. Here is what Paul shared with me….

Paul also shared his thoughts on things metaphysical or spiritual, that he always had questions since childhood and how that impacted his writing…

Paul has enjoyed a successful career in media, first as a popular radio announcer, then media executive and now author. Recently retired from the radio industry, he worked with several major Canadian media companies including Rogers Media, CHUM Radio and Bell Media.

I asked Paul that knowing what he learnt from his father’s passing and coming to terms with the experience over the decades in-between, would he change anything about his own life or career choices….

The book has been out for a few months now so I asked Paul what sort of feedback he’s received from readers, both friends and strangers….

So is there a second book in the works? And who are your readers?

It was a pleasure chatting with you, Paul, and so the promo dance begins. I’ll be reaching out to Canadian & int’l literary, arts & entertainment media for interviews and reviews so thank you to everyone for supporting Canadian authors. Follow Paul’s writing journey on Fcbk & Instagram: @PaulFisherauthor

LIKE A RIVER TO THE SEA
Author: Paul Fisher
Publisher:‎ Ozark Mountain Publishing Inc.
Soft cover $22.00 (285 Pages)
Kindle or audio book: $9.99
Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other popular platforms
ISBN: 9781950639090

AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR CAPTURES OUTBACK TALE OF BETRAYAL AND REDEMPTION IN 1ST NOVEL “SPLINTERED HEART”

Over the past several months of Covid isolation and lack of film or tv production activity (i.e. potential clients), I’ve had lots of spare time to explore websites and news feeds from my homeland, Australia, and getting more and more homesick in the process. Thanks to viewing some fabulous films and TV shows on Aussie streaming platforms as well as Amazon Prime/Acorn TV, I discovered Down Under’s favourite leading man, Aaron Pedersen (pictured below), star of Mystery Road the movie (featured at the 2013 Toronto Int’l Film Fest) and the subsequent TV series of the same name (the second series is currently airing in Canada on Acorn TV, part of the Amazon Prime service).Having binge-watched 2 of his previous tv shows Water Rats (1996-2001) and City Homicide (2007 to 2011) and the Mystery Road movie sequel, Goldstone, I admit I’ve developed a huge crush on this handsome indigenous Aussie actor, so I joined a fun Facebook group made up of his most devoted fans, one of whom, Linda Dowling, is an award-winning successful author. Linda’s first 2 novels are currently available via Amazon Books, and I’m thoroughly engrossed in her first one, Splintered Heart, which takes place during the 60’s, an era when I myself was growing up in the bush just outside of Perth in Western Australia. So many references resonated with me but you don’t have to be an Aussie to fully appreciate the story, the heroine of the tale or the heat and vast emptiness of the outback. Dowling writes with great descriptive flair – I can almost hear the mournful call of the crows and feel the exhausting heat of the sun as I turn each page.This first book in Linda’s Red Dust series is set in the 1960s – teenager Lisa O’Connor is growing up in a brutal family environment living in the outskirts of Sydney, Australia. Abused and forsaken by those she should have been able to trust, Lisa is sent away to the notorious Parramatta Girls Home for ‘reform’ (this was, in fact, a real place which has thankfully since closed). While captive there, she experiences the depths of human depravity and sinks even further into despair. Luckily for Lisa, she’s rescued from this abhorrent life by her childless aunt who takes her to live at a remote sheep station (i.e. big farm in the middle of nowhere) in outback New South Wales. Lisa finds herself in a world that is different to anything she has known before, and she falls in love with the homestead, the harsh outback landscape and the Aboriginal culture. With the help of her aunt and uncle, two female Aboriginal elders and Billy, a very special young Aboriginal man, Lisa’s splintered heart and broken spirit begin to mend. Lisa’s determination and desire to overcome her horrific beginnings tell a saga unlike any other – both horrifying and inspiring, this is a book you won’t be able to put down.The award-winning, #1 bestselling author (pictured above) grew up in the Western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. During her childhood, Linda spent most of her time in rural areas and has continued to enjoy life in areas with natural surroundings. Her own aunt, a wonderful horsewoman, taught her a great deal about horses, riding and the outback and it was during her vacations with her aunt that Linda herself fell in love with the vast outback plains and the culture of the local indigenous population, their stories and their unique but simple way of living. In her professional life, Linda has established and managed four medico-legal firms, including her own. During the course of her career, she has been involved in reporting on coroner-centric matters and inquests. She has also worked with the NSW Police State Crime Command Centre and in various Royal Commissions where she was exposed to the worst of human nature; she has drawn upon her professional and personal experiences while writing her Red Dust novel series, but the stories are a work of fiction and do not depict any person, living or dead.

Linda has already received many positive reviews and kudos direct from the readers, including:

A compelling read. Prepare to laugh and cry, this book will truly evoke a powerhouse of emotions. Steeped in culture perseverance and the unbreakable spirit of a young girl in 1960’s Australia. Mary

I absolutely loved this book – an easy read that was hard to put down. A disturbing revelation into the brutal experiences occurring in the girls’ home in the 60’s and then a warming and uplifting transition to life in the outback and an interesting insight into our indigenous people. Looking forward to the next chapter. Sandra

Wow! This book was an intense read. The author writes about the harshness of family life in general that many people living in Australia grew up in the 60’s thru 80’s can relate to. While the storyline itself was heart wrenching and a lot darker than anything I have experienced in my life, it left me thinking about the events affecting those in the book and the racism experienced by Aboriginals long after I had finished the book. International Amazon Customer

Splintered Heart is available in soft-cover and Kindle versions on Amazon so why not buy yourself a great gift for Christmas – order Linda’s book now!