Thursday

Spotlight, Trailer, Guest Post, Review & Giveaway: City of Deadly Dreams by Elyse Douglas



Book Blurb & Info

Dane Cooper, an NYC Hell’s Kitchen private detective, is hired by a Tennessee man to find his handsome, 20-year-old son named Elvis, who has been missing for several months. Though hesitant at first, Dane takes the case because he needs the money. Dane soon learns that the case centers around a beautiful, mysterious blonde, named Darcy. Against his better judgment, he falls for her, believing she might lead him to Elvis. Her dangerous secrets trouble him, and he realizes he can’t trust her.

Dane’s investigation turns deadly when he learns that Elvis has left a trail of pregnant young girls, unhappy husbands, and vengeful women. Dane becomes a target as he struggles to find Elvis and save him from the killers who are closing in. Can Dane save Elvis and himself, or will Darcy’s secrets get them all killed?

Buy Links
Amazon

Trailer


Toot's Review by Betty Bee

A classic detective novel brought into the new millennium-- Elyse Douglas is the pen name for a husband and wife writing team with a rich and immersive style.

In their newest novel, 'City of Deadly Dreams: A Mystery,' winsome private detective, Dane Cooper is put on the case of a missing young man that takes more twists and turns than any reader can see coming.

Elvis Lipps is 20 years old when he goes missing in New York City, and his father is desperate to find him. See, Elvis' father thinks that his son is the reincarnation of Elvis Presley himself, and he intends to use his connections back home in Tennessee to get his son into the music industry.

Cooper doesn't buy into the reincarnation thing, but he does know a terrified father when he sees one, and he agrees to help find the boy. Unfortunately, Cooper soon discovers that Elvis was not as innocent as he seemed and that he may have gotten into some trouble of his own during his short stay in NYC.

When the case leads back to a beautiful, mysterious blonde named Darcy, Cooper finds himself falling for her and he must decide if entangling himself in a liaison with Darcy is worth the risk.

I have enjoyed a few of Elyse Douglas' novels before and this one was no exception! The characters were captivating, the romance intriguing and the atmosphere was so lush and real that I fully felt like I was in New York City and the other cities Dane must go, myself.

This husband-and-wife writing duo actually live in New York City and it shows in their writing. The sense of place never wavered and it really added to the old-time detective atmosphere of the novel.

This is a detective mystery that is not to be missed!


Author Guest Post

Developing Characters

by Elyse Douglas

Flannery O’Connor: “If there is no possibility for change in a character, we have no interest in him…” or her.

The best characters hit the page as a joyful surprise, whether they’re good or evil. They strike a thrill into the writer’s heart, like birth, like spring, like a first kiss.

The best characters say things that draw us into the plot and the challenge of being a human being. The best characters use words that provoke and reveal flaws in themselves, in the world, and in the reader. The reader might turn away in disgust, or laugh, or oppose, but if the character is true, the reader will never stop reading.

The best characters have secrets but hold on to them, exposing them only to the reader, seldom to the other characters. It is the hiding that attracts, seduces, and turns love to hate and hate to love.

The best characters struggle with confusion, conflict and all the mysteries of life.

Gail Godwin: “The characters I create are parts of myself and I send them on little missions to find out what I don’t know yet.”

The best characters hurt, but laugh about it. The best characters laugh inside, and fight others outside. The best characters can hate and be violent, and yet they love with the softest kiss and the gentlest touch.

The best characters love with a true and rare passion, but can kill when betrayed.

Robert Towne: “The single most important question one must ask one’s self about characters is what are they afraid of?”

The best characters are afraid of winning, and afraid of losing.

The best characters are a reflection of the possibilities we carry in ourselves, both bad and good.

The best characters have vision, integrity and promise, and when they fail and try again, and fail again and lose again, we love them because they’re persistent warriors who never give up on themselves, on others, or on the world. It is basically a good world, and people who make up the canvas of the world are all hurting, struggling and learning how to love.

Elizabeth Bowen: “Characters are not created by writers. They pre-exist and have to be found.”

- Elyse Douglas

Author Info


Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature. She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist.

Douglas has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager and an equities trader. He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years.

Website: www.elysedouglas.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglaselyse
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elyse.authorsdouglas

~Giveaway~


This giveaway is for 1 ebook copy to 2 winners. It is open to the U.S. only and ends on July 1, 2021, midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

~To Enter~
Please fill out the rafflecopter below

Tour Info


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Carole C. Amazon June 1 Review

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Dee Donadees Corner June 3 Review

DT Chantel Amazon June 7 Review

Avonna Loves Genres June 9 Review & Excerpt

Katy Bound 4 Escape June 10 Guest Review

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus June 11 Review

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews June 14 Guest Review & Guest Post

Becky Life as Rog June 15 Review

Amanda My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews June 17 Guest Review & Excerpt

Denise D. Amazon June 21 Review

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Nadene Totally Addicted to Reading June 23 Review & Excerpt

Betty Toots Book Reviews June 24 Review & Guest Post

GudReader Goodreads June 25 Review

Bee Book Pleasures June 28 Review & Interview

Amy Locks, Hooks and Books June 30 Review

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