Saturday, August 20, 2016

RRBC Back-To-School Book and Blog Party!


Welcome to my stop on the RRBC Back-to-School Book and Blog Party on My Train of Thought in Parkersburg, West Virginia!


Here's what I'm giving away today to one person who leaves me a comment:

  • A complete signed set of my four Shalan Adventures, including Harsh Prey, Kisses and Lies, In the Shadow, and Dawn of Grace!


Hi! My name is Joe Stephens, and I'm the author of the Shalan Adventures, starring the dynamic pair of detectives, Harry and Dee Shalan, who are not only an amazing  couple of detectives but also an amazing couple. They are crazy about each other, even when life just doesn't seem to want them to be happy. So if you enjoy your detective thrillers with a solid dose of romance, then the Shalan Adventures are for you! Here's a little more about each book: 

Harsh Prey


Harry Shalan, a quick-witted if somewhat distractible private eye, makes the wrong mobster mad, putting his wife Deanna in the hands of kidnappers. Harry strikes a bargain and secures her release; however when she is finally back in Harry’s arms, Dee insists that she will no longer play the doting wife cheering him on the sidelines—he now has a partner.

HARSH PREY is a detective novel, but one that brings a different sensibility to the genre. Inspired by such great characters as Philip Marlowe, Spenser, and Sam Spade, Harry and Dee Shalan are, for lack of an existing term, soft-boiled detectives. Filled with humorous dialogue, unusual characters, and Harry’s deep, sometimes comically twisted observations, it explores the saving nature of love and the darkness that can come about when that love turns into obsession.




Kisses and Lies



In the second Shalan adventure, Harry and Dee are trying to come to the aid of a young woman named ALYSSA HILLMAN, who may or may not have just killed her abusive husband in self-defense. The problem is that no one can find the body. 

It quickly becomes apparent that Alyssa's husband, WILLY HILLMAN, is alive and leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake as he spirals out of control. 

Will Dee and Harry catch up to the psychopathic murderer before he kills again?






IN THE SHADOW


In The Shadow: A Shalan Adventure (The Shalan Adventures Book 3) by [Stephens, Joe]
Local high school student Jenn Bezaleel is missing and the police are at a loss. It’s like she vanished without a trace and no one knows anything. So they call in Harry Shalan, who, at the urging of his extremely pregnant wife, Dee, takes the case.
 
But when Harry starts looking into Jenn’s disappearance, he uncovers some dark family secrets, leading him to conclude that, assuming he can find her, the last place this girl needs to be is back with her mother and stepfather. 


Just as Harry begins to make progress on the case, however, tragedy strikes that threatens to tear Harry and Dee apart forever. Will they find Jenn Bezaleel? If so, where will she go? Can Harry and Dee survive their heartbreaking loss? The answers are…
In The Shadow.


DAWN OF GRACE


Dawn of Grace: A Shalan Adventure (The Shalan Adventures Book 4) by [Stephens, Joe]
Why is private eye Harry Shalan standing on the Fifth Street Bridge contemplating how much he would mind if he fell in the river and didn't come back up? You see, Harry lives by a strict code of honor and is struggling not to hate himself because he broke his code--badly. He lost control and brutally attacked his foster daughter Jenn's biological father, Antonio Bezaleel. Bezaleel is more monster than human and everyone agrees that he deserves a punishment much worse than the one Harry dealt out to him. Nonetheless, Harry's act has sent him into a spiral of despair that has cut him off from the very people he needs the most. His wife and detective partner Dee, his foster daughter Jenn, and his best friend Otis are fighting to bring their hero back from the brink.

In the midst of this dark episode, Harry and Dee answer a cry for help from an old friend who is accused of savagely murdering and mutilating her ex-husband. She swears that she didn't kill him, but things don't look good. She was, after all, found by the police kneeling over the man covered in his blood and gripping the knife that had been used to kill and dismember him. 

Their investigation brings them in contact with a precocious six-year-old who swears the murder was committed by a ninja, and he just may be the key to the case. They also encounter an old classmate of Harry's who is a little more appreciative of Dee's anatomy than anyone's comfortable with, a guy who likes to snort coke and cut women's hair, and even a hooker with a heart of gold. They also meet a quiet young woman named Anita Rathbone who seems quite sweet on Otis, a man married to his job since the only woman he's ever wanted is married to his best friend. Does Otis finally find a woman to love? Does Harry learn to forgive himself and accept the forgiveness of those who care for him? Do the Shalans solve the crime and save their friend from a life behind bars? The answers are revealed in
DAWN OF GRACE: A SHALAN ADVENTURE

Sound interesting? Just go here to find out how to read previews of each and to buy them in paperback or for Kindle! Or you can also visit my website!


82 comments:

  1. Sounds like interesting reads, Joe. I love your descriptions of the books, by the way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for starting this whole wonderful thing. :)

      Delete
  2. I do enjoy detective thrillers-- with dose of romance! I look forward to meeting Harry and Dee soon. Added to my kindle! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to hear it--hope you enjoy it! Thank you.

      Delete
  3. I like the idea of a husband and wife team - with just a bit of romance to really spice up a thriller. I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with this intriguing pair of detectives! I hope you have a wonderful blog tour today. Kind regards Maretha Both

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post - your books just sound like my sort of thing *added to TBR*

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Joe. I enjoyed stopping by your blog and reading about your books. I don't often read detective books, but I do like them. I have put yours on my TBR list, and should get to them somewhere around 2038. Lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know exactly what you mean! My TBR list is so long I can never die.

      Delete
  6. Great idea to create a husband and wife detective team. Have an awesome day at the party!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good to know you Joe. I'm so pleased to see so many new faces, and books at our #RRBC party this year. So much to read! I suppose, that's the idea. I will begin by putting "Harsh Prey on my Kindle. :) Enjoy your party.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Joe, I've enjoyed stopping by your party and learning about your books. Intriguing series! I've added your books to my must read list. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let me know if you like them! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  9. Interesting read will have to put it on my list. Thanks
    Judy Tucker

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can't remember the last time I read a true detective story. Maybe, it was Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys series. lol! Your books look interesting and fun. I might have to check them out! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Think of my books as if one of the Hardy Boys grew up and married Nancy Drew only Nancy Drew was a redhead.

      Delete
  11. I don't often read detective stories, but a husband wife detective team sounds clever indeed. Enjoy your day in the spotlight. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I hope they're just as clever in application.

      Delete
  12. Wow, Joe. These books sound great. Best wishes on your party day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks--It's been a great day! Thanks you for visiting.

      Delete
  13. Your series sounds really interesting. Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the occasional detective story, but they're usually The Dresden Files. I may have to check one of these out. You did a good job promoting them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hope you do check them out and you like them.

      Delete
  15. Thanks for sharing your book descriptions, Joe. Have a great day on the Block Party!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi, Joe. Happy Saturday! Loved your book blurbs. They are well written. Sounds like your detectives have quite a time and I loved how Dee becomes a partner in book one! Enjoy your party.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Joe! It was nice to read a little about you and to learn about your series; it sounds fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing, take care, and enjoy the rest of your weekend! :) ~Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting! You have a great weekend too.

      Delete
  18. I like your site and your blurbs. Your book look really interesting, I'll have to add them to my list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy them!

      Delete
  19. Morning Joe! You have quite the detective series going on! I love the cover for Dawn of Grace. It's perfect! Nice blog post outlining your books. Happy writing and reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! Thanks about the cover. I had folks design the covers for books 2 and 3, but I had such a clear idea of what I wanted on this one that it just came together without any design help.

      Delete
  20. Greetings from Australia,Joe! As a long time fan of the iconic Phillip Marlowe and Sam Spade characters I am delighted to find works that combine that Detective genre with a deeper emotional tie in to Romance. I have added your books to my rapidly growing TBR list. I hope the rest of your day is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My big inspiration was Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Parker's big inspiration was Raymond Chandler's Marlowe, so your comparison is an apt one, at least in terms of subject matter. I make no claims to approach either of them in quality!

      Delete
  21. Agree totally with maretha, a husband/wife team is a great idea....more for me to read now! Thanks Joe!
    Robert Kimbrell

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lots of books to get initiated onto the Shalan Adventures. Love a good detective read. Nice to meet you Joe. I signed up for your mailing list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for joining my mailing list! I hope you downloaded the book and the novella. By the way, there's a weird glitch in the novella. It looks like I skipped chapters but I didn't and I can't seem to get the corrected file to upload. So, if you get to the end of chapter 9 and then go to 12, don't worry--the story's all there.

      Delete
  23. Your books sound like something I'd like. Won a gift card from Brent a couple of days ago and I'm going to use it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Joe - what a beautiful blog you have (I love your train of thought! ;-) ). It certainly provides a lovely ambiance in which to showcase your books. Have a great time today :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I've always loved trains. Piece of trivia--the picture that is the background was drawn for me by a student of mine as a graduation gift. It still hangs on the wall behind my desk at school. Oh, by the way, I'm a teacher when I'm not writing books.

      Delete
  25. Your private eye series looks great! Glad I learned about them on this blog party!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Joe, it's wonderful to learn more about you and your work. I joined your mailing list. Thanks for the treats! :)
    The Shalan Adventures sound so intriguing. And what a fantastic prize for the lucky winner. Thanks for sharing this with us. Have an awesome party day! Cheers. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe you'll be the lucky winner! But alas, that's out of my hands. I hope you enjoy the downloads.

      Delete
  27. Hello Joe. So nice to meet you here today! I love detective stories with couples like Hart to Hart and The Thin Man. Added them to my never ending TBR. Cheers! S.J. Francis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny--I had a reader review that compared Harry and Dee to Nick and Nora Charles once. I see them as kind of a cross between them and Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Susan.

      Delete
  28. Great book descriptions and it looks really cool. Now on my TBR and hopefully I can get to it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ooh, these sound good. Party down;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ooo, nice to meet you, Joe. I love thrillers and detective fiction and a dose of romance mixed in is just fine with me (I do that with my own). Your books sound great and are going on my TBR. Happy party day! I hope you have a blast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you visited--I hope you get a chance to read my books and you enjoy them!

      Delete
  31. Joe, it is nice to meet you and be introduced to your books. I will add them my TBR list. Thank you for hosting the party. It was fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed my page. Hope you enjoy the books.

      Delete
  32. Love a good private investigator mystery. Harry and Dee sound great. Have a great party, Joe!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Detective adventures - I like your spin with Harry & Dee as partners. Plenty of depth and stories within stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I've found that the mix has led to some interesting dynamics for sure.

      Delete
  34. I love a good mystery, Joe. Looks like you've got quite a few here! It was great getting to see a sampling of your work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope to have more soon! Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  35. Hi Joe, My family is from West Virginia, so I'm a little partial to this stop. Your books sound amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! What part? By the way, my books are set in West Virginia.

      Delete
  36. Your books sound quite interesting, Joe. I may have to investigate further. Best wishes to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks--I hope you find they are to your liking. :)

      Delete
  37. Hi Joe, I love West Virginia--so beautiful. Wish I lived there. Your detective series sounds wonderful and your prizes too :). Have a great tour day. Grabbed a glass of red wine on my way out. Not a bad year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is and we're coming up on the prettiest time of year, in my opinion. Glad you enjoyed the wine. I serve only the best holographic refreshments.

      Delete
  38. Your books sound interesting! Enjoyed reading your post.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Sorry I missed this stop. Have a good tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Better late than never--thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  40. Hi Joe - I am late to the party - was traveling yesterday with no internet - hope you had a good blog day at the RRBC Blog block party! - MikeL

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Joe, I couldn't visit yesterday as I was travelling too. I didn't want to miss your blog stop, so I popped by anyway. I hope you had a great party. Your blog and books look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete