An emotional freight train...crashing through the walls of a California courtroom...

Have you ever read a story that made you ignore the ringing phone, made you late for appointments and made you absolutely NEED to read late into the night? If not, then you're in for a treat because Rebecca Forster is an author who understands that storytelling is, first and foremost, about making us yearn for the next page, and then the next, and then the next. In "Hostile Witness," the first book in the Witness series, she creates a whole lot of reader yearning.

 

Our story begins with Josie Baylor-Bates, an attorney who has turned away from the fame and fortune of a super-successful criminal defense career. For reasons we don't understand, she settles into a quiet California beach town where elderly estates and urinating in public are among her more challenging cases. However, when beautiful Linda Sheraton, one of Josie's past volleyball teammates, comes banging at her door, we quickly learn that Josie is not just taking time off, she's terrified at the prospect of returning to her previous high-profile career. But when she learns that Linda's sixteen-year-old girl daughter has been wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of a seated California Supreme Court Judge, the hellish gates of her past come swinging wide open.

And all of this happens in just the first few pages. To say this unfolding legal drama is an emotional freight train would be a gross understatement. Step into Rebecca Forster's "Hostile Witness" and you'll agree that this is one legal thriller that puts relationships up front while giving us front row seats to a no-holds-barred courtroom battle.

Definitely a keeper. Read "Hostile Witness."

Reviewed by "Maine's Other Author"(TM) Tim Greaton

"Red Gloves" FREE today only!

"Red Gloves" FREE today only (26 May 2012) on Amazon Kindle. Book 2 in the Samaritans Conspiracy. http://www.amazon.com/Red-Gloves-Samaritans-Conspiracy-ebook/dp/B0081WIZHY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1338025126&sr=8-8.

More than 80,000 Tim Greaton novels have been downloaded in the last few months.

Just as the City of Portland Maine is struck with a horrific crime wave of high school drugs and teenage killings, Lead Detective Priscilla Harris’ life swirls out of control. A terrible car accident has derailed her son’s basketball dreams, so he quits college and turns to methamphetamines to cope. To keep him from backsliding any further, Priscilla spends thousands of dollars on two drug rehab programs, but when the second try fails she doesn’t know where to turn. Worse yet, she learns her husband has stolen the remaining $30,000 of her inheritance money to run off with his beautiful, blond secretary. In the midst of it all, a mysterious red-gloved stranger is stalking both Priscilla and her son.

Can Priscilla find some way to save her city and her son before the bodies of more Maine teenagers are found stacked like cordwood?

In “The Santa Shop” Tim Greaton showed us the bitterness of despair and the sweet taste of hope. In this second book of “The Samarians Conspiracy” he serves up a full, seven-course emotional meal. Priscilla’s story will drag you through the depths of struggle and despair but not without amazing rewards.

One reviewer says, “Tim’s fans will follow him to Hell in gasoline raincoats….”

You're invited to find out why.


A note from the author:

Dear Reader,

Thank you for considering "Red Gloves."

When I was about sixteen years old, several police cars converged late at night on my father's house. Apologetic for disturbing our family, a detective explained that a local 24-hour store attendant had been stabbed and I was one of a handful of known males about the right age and within walking distance.

I was visiting my girlfriend's house several miles away at the time, and the detective readily agreed with my father that it wouldn't be right to embarrass my girlfriend's family by showing up there. Instead, my father called and asked if I could "...get home right away!"

My girlfriend's mother kindly offered to drive me, but because she had just finished a glass of wine she dropped me off several blocks from my home, a location not so likely to invite questions about her sobriety. Unfortunately, that added twenty minutes of walking time before, quite confused, I walked past the police cars in front of my house and through the door. The detective took one look at my slim frame, button-up shirt and dress slacks then acknowledged I didn't look anything at all like the criminal.

I was, of course, relieved even if my evening had ended early. But, as the apologetic detective turned to leave, he gestured to one of the patrolman and said, "Do you think you could drop this young man back where he was?"

That detective's kind manner is a trait I modeled while writing this novel. Our female detective is street savvy but not jaded, and even though her personal life is filled with disaster, she continues to treat the people around her with compassion and respect.

I enjoyed spending time with Lead Detective Priscilla Harris, and I hope that if you do decide to share her experiences that the conclusion of her difficult journey will leave you with a smile.

Thank you once again for sharing so generously of your time.

Your friend,

Tim Greaton

Below are some of my other titles :-)

Only a few hours left. Your Thank You copy of "Under-Heaven" is absolutely FREE right now! :-)

I'm not sure I ever say it often enough or loud enough, but I really appreciate all the help and support from friends, bloggers, fans and readers in general. It's with your help that over 90,000 of my novels have been downloaded in the last few months.

THANK YOU!

In appreciation, my "Under-Heaven" novel will be free today until 12am EST.

If you've already read Under-Heaven and there's another of my books you'd love to have but finances have been a problem, please email and I promise we'll arrange something.



More than 80,000 Tim Greaton novels have been downloaded in the last few months, and now "Red Gloves," is finally out!

More than 80,000 Tim Greaton novels have been downloaded in the last few months, and now "Red Gloves" the long-awaited follow-up to "The Santa Shop" is finally out...

Just as the City of Portland Maine is struck with a horrific crime wave of high school drugs and teenage killings, Lead Detective Priscilla Harris’ life swirls out of control. A terrible car accident has derailed her son’s basketball dreams, so he quits college and turns to methamphetamines to cope. To keep him from backsliding any further, Priscilla spends thousands of dollars on two drug rehab programs, but when the second try fails she doesn’t know where to turn. Worse yet, she learns her husband has stolen the remaining $30,000 of her inheritance money to run off with his beautiful, blond secretary. In the midst of it all, a mysterious red-gloved stranger is stalking both Priscilla and her son.

Can Priscilla find some way to save her city and her son before the bodies of more Maine teenagers are found stacked like cordwood?

In “The Santa Shop” Tim Greaton showed us the bitterness of despair and the sweet taste of hope. In this second book of “The Samarians Conspiracy” he serves up a full, seven-course emotional meal. Priscilla’s story will drag you through the depths of struggle and despair but not without amazing rewards.

One reviewer says, “Tim’s fans will follow him to Hell in gasoline raincoats….”

You're invited to find out why.


A note from the author:

Dear Reader,

Thank you for considering "Red Gloves."

When I was about sixteen years old, several police cars converged late at night on my father's house. Apologetic for disturbing our family, a detective explained that a local 24-hour store attendant had been stabbed and I was one of a handful of known males about the right age and within walking distance.

I was visiting my girlfriend's house several miles away at the time, and the detective readily agreed with my father that it wouldn't be right to embarrass my girlfriend's family by showing up there. Instead, my father called and asked if I could "...get home right away!"

My girlfriend's mother kindly offered to drive me, but because she had just finished a glass of wine she dropped me off several blocks from my home, a location not so likely to invite questions about her sobriety. Unfortunately, that added twenty minutes of walking time before, quite confused, I walked past the police cars in front of my house and through the door. The detective took one look at my slim frame, button-up shirt and dress slacks then acknowledged I didn't look anything at all like the criminal.

I was, of course, relieved even if my evening had ended early. But, as the apologetic detective turned to leave, he gestured to one of the patrolman and said, "Do you think you could drop this young man back where he was?"

That detective's kind manner is a trait I modeled while writing this novel. Our female detective is street savvy but not jaded, and even though her personal life is filled with disaster, she continues to treat the people around her with compassion and respect.

I enjoyed spending time with Lead Detective Priscilla Harris, and I hope that if you do decide to share her experiences that the conclusion of her difficult journey will leave you with a smile.

Thank you once again for sharing so generously of your time.

Your friend,

Tim Greaton

Some of my current available titles (just click on a cover to see full descriptions and purchase links)...

"Red Gloves," the second book in the Samaritans Conspiracy will be available in 48 hours!

I'm beyond excited to say that "Red Gloves" the second novel in "the Samaritans Conspiracy" will be out within the next 48 hours!

Just as the City of Portland Maine is struck with a horrific crime wave of high school drugs and teenage killings, Lead Detective Priscilla Harris’s life swirls out of control.  A terrible car accident has derailed her son’s basketball dreams, so he quits college and turns to methamphetamines to cope.  To keep him from backsliding any further, Priscilla spends thousands of dollars on two drug rehab programs, but when the second try fails she doesn’t know where to turn. Worse yet, she learns her husband has stolen the remaining $30,000 of her inheritance money to run off with his beautiful, blond secretary. In the midst of it all, a mysterious red-gloved stranger is stalking both Priscilla and her son.

Can Priscilla find some way to save her city before her son joins the other teenagers whose bodies are stacking up like cordwood?

In “The Santa Shop” Tim Greaton showed us the bitterness of despair and the sweet taste of hope. In this second book of “The Samarians Conspiracy,” he serves up a full seven-course, emotional meal. Priscilla’s story will drag you through the depths of struggle and despair but not without amazing rewards.

One reviewer says, “Tim’s fans will follow him to Hell in gasoline raincoats….” Isn’t it time you found out why?  

This novel has been over a year in the making, and I sincerely hope it lives up to the expectations of the 80,000-plus readers who have already enjoyed "The Santa Shop." Please know that I couldn't have done it without the support of so many readers. I will be forever grateful for this life of writing that you have all so graciously granted to me.

John Carter...a spectacular disaster...

I am not a typically fussy viewer when it comes to science fiction, but I have to say "John Carter" blew it in nearly every way possible. This was especially disappointing because I've been a Taylor Kitsch fan since first encountering him on "Friday Night Lights." Many great actors have survived similar box office crashes, so here's hoping he comes out on top...and a good place to do that would be in his next big-budget flick "Battleship."

Lynn Collins (The Princess of Mars) was beautiful and did a fine job with what she had, but no matter how well you act it's just hard to get past dumb lines and even dumber settings. It was truly amazing how the makeup people presented her as a bronze goddess when she is in reality so pale...but the look was a good one. That's one positive note, I guess.

Back to "John Carter" the flick and all the other points that just plain didn't work. First, let's talk about plot. I, like many middle-age sci-fi readers grew up on "John Carter of Mars." I haven't had one of those slim paperbacks in my hands in over 30 years, however I'd be the first to admit they were fun romps that didn't take themselves too seriously--HOWEVER, there are limits to how many holes you can leave in a plot and still claim it resembles a story. This big screen "John Carter" adaptation has more story and logic holes than a soccer net. Suffice it to say that not even Edgar Rice Burroughs on a bad day would have let this clunker leave his typewriter. I don't want to give away too much, but how about watching John literally slaughtering huge multi-limbed martians by the hundreds, if not the thousands, but a few scenes before and few scenes after he's having a tough time handling just a few of the same breed of creatures. Then there's the little logic issue about how he can snap thick steel chains and rip rocks in half, even though lower gravity can't explain those superhuman feats. While we're discussing it, I also tend to wonder why his flesh seems mostly immune to dizzying impacts with everything from steel to stone to...well, you get the picture. Yes, I know you fall slower in low gravity (which you couldn't tell from John's Hulk-like, high velocity landings) but he not only fell down, he was thrown, swung and hurled in every possible direction all throughout the film...but never with more than a few scratches and dust marring his pale skin.

I've never been a fan of Victorian anachronistic technology, so it's no surprise that I had faint appreciation for the gauze and frame flutter-bug aircraft that often filled the "John Carter" screen, but my absolute central peeve had to do with John Carter's nonsensical reaction to the low gravity environment on Mars. Of course, we all know that was how the author explained the Earthling's super strength (he grew up in high Earth gravity and therefore had dense powerful muscle when in Mars' comparitively low gravity) but none of that provides any clue as to why all the leaping in the movie shows John mostly flying face-forward as though his forehead were weighted with lead. When he first arrives on the red planet (which isn't all that red), he keeps falling forward and can barely seem to crawl without his bangs dragging in the sand. It seems to me that he should have been fighting to stay on the ground, but instead in those opening scenes he looked as though he was struggling to get up out of the sand. Then, every time he leapt, the director may as well have left the cables visible in the scene because the flying movements projected the presense of wires to the point it was painful to watch. It almost felt like a 1930s adventure scene shot on the cheap outside of an early Hollywood studio. Not a single leap seemed believable in any human movement, laws of physics sort of way.

Probably one of the biggest crimes with this picture, however, was how the movie dragged and dragged and dragged. It's no wonder the budget tanked any chance of profitability. It truly felt as though the screen-writer and director couldn't figure out how to end this debacle, so they just kept filming, maybe hoping the equipment would break down and make the decision for them.

I know I haven't given a lot of specifics about the story and characters here, but it's mostly because none of that matters with the many flaws constantly grinding at any reasonable viewer's sense of acceptance. I just wish Disney had called me before they began production, because for a few hundred bucks I would happily have reviewed their plans and scrapped this catastrophe before it ever went into production.

I regret to say that "John Carter" barely registers one star on my five star scale :-(

"Zachary Pill, Of Monsters and Magic" is absolutely FREE book for any e-reader format...

This first book in the Zachary Pill fantasy series is over 200 pages of action-packed fun. From conception to completion, the first three books in the Zachary Pill were easily the most challenging yet most rewarding and fun novels that I've ever written. They also took me five years to complete. I could take a few minutes to describe the book to you, but why don't we let the some of the reviewers of the first Zachary Pill trilogy do it for me :-)

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've read in a while, August 7, 2011

By

Patrick Jones - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

Five Stars
Many thanks to Tim Greaton for writing such a brilliant book.

This book is really FANTASTIC and it's written with such a unique writing style. There is no series, that I have read, that I can compare it to. It's both funny and dark at the same time, and I really enjoyed all of the characters, especially Madame Koochie and her "rockets."
Zachary Pill grew up in Boston, but when bats attack and his father suddenly disappears, he is thrown into a whirlwind of danger and magic. From the bats that attack him in Boston, to his forced imprisonment with Madame Koochie and his trips with friends through the nostrils that are just as slimy and gross as they sound, this book is amazing. And to see a wizard boy transform into a dragon was one of my favorite scenes.

I loved this and I'm sure many others will as well. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Read Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End. You will definitely not be sorry.

FREE book here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/131693

Tim Greaton Sparks Fantasy and Adventure with Verve and Panache, August 19, 2011

By

A. J. Grady, Author (NYC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End (The Zachary Pill Series): It's seldom you see fantasy written with such verve and panache. Greaton delights his readers with a montage, a veritable cornucopia of magical, mystical, supernatural elements incorporated within one novel. The book is loaded with action and fantasy yet Greaton doesn't fail to deliver on the story. Zachary Pill is a typical kid with his share of bruises and bumps from schoolyard altercations. Because of a major problem with bats, a problem so great that the early extermination might have saved his father. The fate of his father is a key question after his disappearance with the bats. Zachary moves in with a Madame Koochie ,an orange haired, brightly dressed caretaker that does nothing and lives in filth. Here he makes a refuge. As the story moves on, the possibilities for his dad are learned and history of the family is attached to a unsuspected background that moves in space and time in a place called Pandemones
The mystery of his father's fate is connected to a Krage, a family rival of sorts. Magic is primary to the family powers and is exercised by magic wands and other implements like magic rings, key to the dad's powers. Time after time creatures like Medusa with snake encrusted hair add depth and background to the story, a kind of secretary. Notable and key is the event with a dragon figure that serves to transform him in a kind of metamorphosis.

If you are looking for a fun read that contains bats, werewolves, wizards, trolls, dragons, creepy flying things that resemble snakes all set in a magical fantasy, this is the book. Zachary Pill reads well as it goes from one fantastical event to the next.

I loved the Boston setting and a myriad of bats in this setting. Sections of Boston remind me of New Orleans especially around Halloween.

Fantastic action packed adventure, October 28, 2011

By

The Kindle Book Review - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

WOW, I don't know where to begin. This book was amazing. Harry Potter meets How to Train Your Dragon. Loved the story and the world that is created within it, so many levels and creatures and Tim's imagination is just out of this world...

Zachary Pill is a normal kid, or so everybody thinks. He gets bullied at school and one day has had enough. Zachary saw another kid being picked on and decided to stand up for him and himself. This is the day everything changes. Zachary started to fight back, literally and ended up with a broken arm and bruising all over. His father was called to school and demanded that Zachary not be taken to the hospital. The School was dumbfounded, why would a father not allow his child to go to the hospital? Well, there is a family secret that has been hidden from Zachary; he is a Wizard, well half Wizard. Zachary was taken to a special hospital, where wizards and creatures and beasts go, he was patched up and his arm put in plaster. Everything would be normal again, or will it? Nope, when they arrive home, his father is vague and wouldn't answer his questions. Eating spaghetti for dinner, Zachary looks at his father's plate and sees worms instead of pasta. Surely Zachary was just imagining things because of his injury. Everything went into chaos, bats swarmed the apartment and everything went dark. Zachary could only use his one arm to find his father. There was a brilliant blue light and his father disappeared. Poof, gone!

Zachary is now on a journey to find his father, calls in his Uncle who palms Zachary off onto an old woman that lives in a pigsty, Madame Kloochie. His Uncle too disappears in search for his father. Zachary befriends the kid from across the road, Bret. Together they try to work through his father's belongings and a way to find his father. Zachary is the last Pill on Earth and is being attacked by all sorts of monsters. He must survive and find his father and Uncle.

This book is quite long, but the story is just amazing and I couldn't put it down. Tim really knows how to draw you into the book and I know there will be a lot of Harry Potter fans that will love it. There are just so many amazing things happening that you will have to read it and find out for yourself (the nostrils, they're travelling tunnels for example, hilarious and gross). ~ Katie Turner (The Kindle Book Review)


Prepare for a sleepless night., October 4, 2011

By

Earnest - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

This book is fantastic! The story never stands still. I was doubtful at first, thinking, "Oh, boy, another Harry Potter read-a-like," but I was rapidly sucked in by the colorful characters and constant action. I shouldn't have taken it with me on a cruise, because if I hadn't, I'd have gotten a lot more sleep.

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern High Fantasy-at it's best!, October 31, 2011

By

Linell Jeppsen (The mountains of Northeast Washington State) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

Trolls, Orks, Goblins, wizards...Dragons! This marvelous modern-day fantasy has it all.
Zachary Pill seems like a regular boy until he breaks his arm in a bullying incident (Zachary is the victim). Suddenly his world is turned upside down. His injury has triggered a series of magical events that will effect his world and many other mysterious realms, because he is the son of one of the most powerful wizards in the universe! This magical tale will hold you, and wisk you away to the land of...anything's possible! Move over, Harry Potter...Zachary Pill's in town!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun and characters you care about!, February 25, 2012

By

Chris A. Reardon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

I'm going to address the elephant in the room right out of the gate: Yes, _Zachary Pill, The Dragon At Station End_ owes a debt to the Harry Potter series. Downtrodden boy discovers his magical identity and goes on amazing adventures with a male and female friend. Sounds familiar, hmm?

In this case at least, the characters and worlds that Tim Greaton introduces us to and develops throughout this book are so offbeat and engrossing that some plot parallels to "that other young wizard" can be easily overlooked.

Zachary himself is a multi-layered character with a lot of heart. I dare say that many readers will immediately be able to relate to him. Aside from his naturally green hair, there is nothing really outstanding about him at the start of the story. As the plot proceeds, he discovers more and more about who is really is. I am not just talking about his magical persona, but also the personal qualities he has within himself that emerge as he is placed in challenging situations. For me, that is the hallmark of a terrific piece of fiction: a protagonist you can connect with and watch grow and change throughout the plot.

There are many other characters introduced in the story. Greaton makes no secret of the fact that this is intended to be a series, and many characters that we meet are not developed. The assumption is that their part will come in future installments. Zachary's sickly best friend Bret and the outrageous and mysterious Madame Kloochie are two characters that stand out here. There is a great deal of foreshadowing of events that are to come in future installments, and Greaton's characters are developed in such a way that makes them intriguing enough that the reader develops a genuine interest in what is going to happen to them beyond this book.

For the most part, Greaton's fantasy elements in _Zachary Pill, The Dragon At Station End_ are simply whimsical figments of his imagination that he has worked into the tale. And that is a large part of the charm. A flying pig, a "porkasis", is just that, a wacky invention worked into the story for the sake of humor and fun. There are many such inclusions on Greaton's part, as well as familiar fantasy entities such as trolls, ghosts, and werewolves. The mix of the familiar with the unexpected really drew me in while reading _Zachary Pill, The Dragon At Station End_.

This book is geared toward the 9-12 year old crowd, but older children and adults who admire escapist fantasy will also find it appealing. If you enjoyed Harry Potter, or are merely a fan of light fantasy, you will likely enjoy _Zachary Pill, The Dragon At Station End_. I'd encourage you not to compare Zachary to Harry, but just enjoy his story on his own merits. I am very much looking forward to Tim Greaton's next installment in this engrossing series.

5.0 out of 5 stars The next great Magic series is already HERE!, November 30, 2011

By

K_Karie (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End, Trilogy (The Zachary Pill Dragon Magic series - books 1, 2 & 3, 765 pages) (Kindle Edition)

This book has one thrill after another. You barely start to recover from one adventure before there is another! I've never read a Harry Potter book, so unlike other reviewers, I can't compare. In terms of magic and mystery, this book strikes just the right balance. It leaves you craving more. I've literally just finished (like five minutes ago) and my head is reeling with questions and possibilities of where this story might go next. I can't WAIT for the sequel!

One thing I really love about this story is how realistic Zachary is. He speaks as I would expect my son would in a similar situation. He reacts to his parents and other adults with sarcasm, annoyance, begrudging obedience, etc. He thinks with the wild imagination of a teen exposed to the unimaginable.

Well, those are some of the things readers are saying. Did I mention the first book in the series is FREE! Thanks so much for taking the time.

'Hope you like your free book. Just click on the first cover above and you can get a copy for any e-reader! :-)

R.S. Emeline's open letter to Tim Greaton...and my response...

On An Open Letter to Tim Greaton

If you haven't done so yet, go to Amazon.com and check out Bones in the Tree and the Santa Shop, both are amazing stories from author, Tim Greaton. I sat and read them in a single sitting and hours later still found myself reflecting on them.

Tim,

When I first stumbled upon you on Twitter I did the usual, checked out the blog and your featured titles.

Recently, life has been hectic and busy so I didn't have much of a chance to sit down and read, but the other day I finally managed it.

I started with Bones in the Tree and I understood exactly where your main character was coming from. Having gone through a divorce myself I remember the difficulties I had with phone calls from the ex. What I wouldn't have done for a place without cell service--and a friend like Bones to share the silence with.

Now, I remember reading about how your work is considered "dark" fiction, and I can both see and understand that--but I don't get that from reading either Bones or the Santa Shop. 


There might have been dark moments, but there was always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Maybe that is because my childhood wasn't full of happiness and joy, but I'd like to believe it's because your writing shows that even in darkness there can be light.

The Santa Shop touched on my emotions in a way I'm not often comfortable admitting. There were a number of times where I contemplated reaching for a tissue. Not because I was worried about what Skip would decided to do, but because I felt his pain.

Standing on that dark bridge on Christmas Eve, with the frigid air blowing around him, and his whole world torn apart--I felt.

I was right there listening and watching...waiting for him to reclaim his life.

That's good writing.


Thank you for opening your heart and your imagination to us.


R.S.

R.S. very graciously allowed me to share her letter and my response from a few days ago with all of you today...

RS, I'm sitting in a dark office, staring at a blank comment screen. So many thoughts about your kind words swirl through my mind. I'm, of course, flattered and very appreciative. Thank you.

Forty years ago, almost to the minute, a truly miserable little boy was sitting alone in a dark room. He was probably listening to his parents yell and scream at each other, and he had probably spent too many hours that day trying to understand why he didn't fit in, why the kids at school constantly made fun of his clothes, his house, his life. That the little boy was smarter than nearly every other child in school didn't matter, anymore than it mattered that most of the teachers did the best they could to shield him from childhood cruelties. Unfortunately, the journey home from school that day likely involved running--probably not fast enough--and no doubt involved receiving a few kicks and punches from any number of a constellation of bullies that made it their mission to remind him how rotten life was. That little boy probably wiped his tears dry before going in his house, because they would surely have earned taunts of cowardice from his dad, who usually only noticed him long enough to make fun of him. And once he somehow got free of his mother's list of chores, chores that adults usually did in other homes, that little boy probably refused food and went straight to his room, where for a few hours he could open a book and live, even if only briefly, in a world that made sense, that rewarded goodness, a world that fought evil or at least labeled it, and a world that had heroes he could dream of and imagine someday to emulate.

That night, forty years ago, I think that little boy turned his sad eyes skyward and somehow, someway, saw this computer screen, your comments...and felt hope.

Thanks for that.

Tim

P.S. That little boy dreamed of someday creating stories that would nourish and protect their readers much the way other authors had done for him. I believe "Under-Heaven" is the best of those stories, so far.

	You can purchase the book here : http://www.amazon.com/Under-Heaven-ebook/dp/B005D7JNDA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1317498650&sr=8-3 And you can see the amazing trailer that filmmaker Rob Ellis created for it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrA0KoujsE
As her blog states, "Leaked from the Psyche of author R.S. Emeline." This letter aside, R.S. is an amazing and talented writer, and I strongly urge everyone to follow her ever-thoughtful and always entertaining blog: http://rsemeline.blogspot.com/

Why a reader calls my work “Dark Fiction”

Each week, I have attempted to hone my efforts to reach readers in a way that will matter to you and will also give you a glimpse inside my life and heart. As I have evolved this blog and my messages here, I keep coming back to “What would I want to read?” and “What would I want to know if I were you?”

Finally, the answer has occurred to me. A reviewer of my afterlife novel Under-Heaven referred to my work as “dark fiction.” Up until I read that review, I had always thought of myself as a positive writer with love and hope at the center of my fiction…but I now believe that reviewer was absolutely correct. By now, you all know that I had a pretty horrible childhood.  For me, there aren’t a lot of cheerful memories, and dredging up what few I have is like revisiting a graveyard. I was a somber kid and my childhood was something I survived not something I enjoyed. I don’t blame my parents. They loved all six of us, their children, but they themselves came from dysfunctional homes. They were no more qualified to raise six children than I am to perform brain surgery. My parents did their best but their best was a disaster.

So that’s where the darkness in my fiction comes from. For the first fifteen years of my life, I wanted nothing so much as to curl up into a tiny ball and disappear. Of course I have no choice but to mine those dark emotions. How could I not? BUT I refuse to write a novel with an unhappy ending.

Fiction has to be better than life…or why bother!

I will, however, drag your emotions through the mud. I will make you cry and scream and plead for the characters that I will make you love?  I know sadness and I lived hopelessness every day. I doubt any child has ever prayed harder or longer for the world to somehow get better. Tears streak my cheeks as I write these words, a statement which I know many people find hard to believe. I’m an ex-bodybuilder and a guys’ guy. You’d more expect me to punch something than cry. But when you come limping from the shadows of a difficult past, the scars never really go away. That hurt and pain stays with you…always.

John Locke told me to write a blog that will give you the essence of my writing. This is it. If you read my work, you will care about my characters. You will cry a lot. But by the end of each and every story, I will have you smiling and happy that you are alive. My characters win…but they earn it.

I hope I’ve earned your readership.

Buy my books. It will be the best 99 cents you’ve ever spent.

	The Santa Shop is Christmas seen through the lens of suicide, a quick, simple and emotional story that will have you questioning everything from homelessness to charity: http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Shop-Conspiracy-ebook/dp/B003LBRITQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1313769685&sr=8-2
	Under-Heaven is the best “dark fiction” book I’ve written so far. If you want a complex and powerful book, try this one.  And if you see this ending coming, I’ll owe you dinner and a new Cadillac: http://www.amazon.com/Under-Heaven-ebook/dp/B005D7JNDA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1313769685&sr=8-8

A Whirlwind of Danger and Magic…

The most disgusting house on the planet, aching joints, Jeckel and Hydel, Fat Duck abandoned, too much swearing…

This past week has been another frenetic seven days in the life of a writer who is still struggling to get control of social networking tools. I have made some pretty good strides on Twitter and have found some automated tools that I think will make life much easier. I also finally got signed into Google-Plus but I haven’t a clue how it really works yet. If you’d been trying to message me on any of the dozen sites I’m signed onto but don’t really yet know how to use, I hope you’ll email me directly at Tim – at- greateastdevelopment-dot-net or contact me through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or this blog…because so far those are the only sites I can really claim to understand.

The first week for Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End has been great. It’s been one of my best sales weeks, if not the best, and the emails and comments I have been receiving are wonderful. Zachary Pill… has also received its first official review, which is posted below (Thank you Patrick Jones!) Don’t forget, please tell your family and friends to buy Tim’s books. Without your help, I have no chance of reaching a wide audience. Please help.

I have some other interesting book news. First, my horror novel set Ancestor books I and II will be released over the next week in ARC (advance reading copy) form. DO NOT read those books if you prefer to believe I always write angelic booksJ. Ancestor is a raw, sometimes foul-mouthed story that will surprise those of you who think my wings are always on. Ancestor is a great story, however, and I hope it stands as a fine example of Maine horror books. I heard there’s another guy writing horror up here—‘also heard he’s pretty goodJ.

Ripped…From My Cold Young Fingers is about to undergo a title change. I don’t understand why, but that book has NOT been enjoying the same success as my other titles…which is baffling to me because it has received rave reviews and is one of my personal favorites. In an attempt to find the right audience, Focus House Publishing has suggested we change the name to my original title: Under-Heaven. My NY agent convinced me to change it because the contents might offend certain religious people. Well, it’s time to see if the right title will help it find its correct audience. Expect the new cover and title to appear…again this week.

Finally, if you haven’t read my latest two stories, you might want to take a peek. I think you’ll enjoy one, the other, or both. Dustin Jeckel and Mr. Hydel can be found at http://mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/dustin-jeckle-and-mr-hydel-by-tim-greaton/. The Blue Porkasis (and four of my other stories) can be found at http://mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/author-tim-greatons-latest-short-story/. As always, I would like to thank Susan A. for her amazing Mistress of the Dark Path website and her very generous treatment of the authors who endlessly pester her. Seriously, for you readers there are oodles of great stories and fun things to do and read. Finally, I should mention that several of my stories have now found their way onto this blog site. Just click the links at the top of the page.

Yesterday, I spent the day helping my in-laws move four tons of concrete patio blocks from the manufacturing plant to their home. After that, we shoveled and spread two tons of crushed pea stones onto my walkway and driveway.  As near as I can figure, I personally handled at least five tons of material and my old power lifting injuries flared up a tad today. Fortunately, nothing is inflamed or creaking so loudly that I needed wraps or braces. I might want to spread that type of effort out over a full weekend next time, however.

Fat Duck had one wild night this week, and because he has more fans than I do I realize I am taking a huge chance by telling you any of this: one day earlier this week, my wife reminded me twice that Fat Duck was on the porch and needed to be taken care of, and each time I told her he was fine on the porch and that I’d get to him soon. Well, I fell asleep in my recliner and woke in a panic at 5am the next morning. I raced outside…to find Fatty happily mingling with Original Duck and the twenty or so wild mallards that were all waiting for morning breakfast. Though no physical harm was done, I know that Fatty took it hard because he spent that entire day in a different section of our yard (near the brook instead of the pond). He also refused to sit beside me earlier tonight when I tried to join him on the top step of the porch. Of course, he never lets me sit beside him…so that was nothing newJ.

 I’d like to thank Lynn Hallbrooks for her ongoing encouragement and support. Lynn maintains a wonderful group website called Literary Guild on Facebook, and she is also the co-author of Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) http://www.amazon.com/Call-Sign-Wrecking-Warning-ebook/dp/B004INHK2G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1312779542&sr=8-2.

It’s been another productive week, which is in large part to the support I receive from all of you. I really appreciate your readership and your friendship. It means so very much. I’m going to end with a fun excerpt from Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End followed by its first review on Amazon. First the excerpt…

Feeling like he was breaking and entering, Zachary stepped inside and heard paper crumpling under his feet. It was pitch black and something smelled rotten. If he’d had an extra hand, he would have held his nose. Unfortunately, his good hand was needed to run along the wall in search of a light switch. He fought the urge to gag when his fingers touched several sticky spots before finally settling on some sort of a knob. He turned it.

Suddenly, light filled a garbage-strewn hallway. If anything, it was even filthier than Zachary remembered. A corridor, ankle deep in trash, led off to the left. Zachary figured it was probably a side entrance to the store. Rising out of the trash to the right was the stairway, also buried in garbage. Kicking several newspapers and bags out of the way, he felt his foot land on something soft and sticky. He lifted his sneaker and found the remains of a jelly donut hanging from the sole. It didn’t look old enough to be causing the terrible smell. Something else, maybe several somethings, must have been rotting under all the mess. He used one of the empty bags on the floor to wipe the worst of the jelly and off his shoe.

Right then, Zachary wished he could turn and leave. But to where? 

Lacking any option, he climbed the narrow stairway covered in old paper, empty pastry boxes, and dirty clothes. How could anyone live like this, he wondered? Making a face, he kept his good hand on the rail, kicked the trash aside as best he could and somehow managed to wade all the way up the stairs. There, on the top step, he found a crushed chocolate cream donut, and on the wall above it a slimy frosting ring where it must have hit before bouncing onto the stairs.

Zachary’s stomach lurched.

Averting his eyes and taking a couple of deep breaths, he knocked on the door.

“One minute, sweetie,” came a woman’s voice. “Just one minute.”

She sounded friendlier than Zachary remembered from the last time he’d heard her on the phone more than two years before. Shuffling, scraping and grunting noises came from the other side of the door. Worried that some animal might spring out at him, Zachary backed down one step.

“I’ll be right there, honey pie,” came the pleasant voice again.

As the shuffling and scraping got louder, Zachary backed down another step. There was one last grunt like a large animal was getting ready to charge, then the door swung inwards.

“I’m so happy to see you, honey pie!” Madame Koochie exclaimed.

She was even bigger than Zachary remembered and even in the dim hallway light he could see her face was so thickly coated in makeup it looked like a kid’s paint project. Her brilliant orange hair (which he thought he remembered being blue the last time he’d seen her) didn’t look to have been combed in months. Zachary looked past her to see his memory about that had been right. The apartment floor and what might have been furniture beyond were just as covered with garbage as the hallway. Zachary could see the path she had cleared to the door. 

The stench wafting out at him was even worse than the hallway.  

“Where’s that wonderful uncle of yours?” she asked.            

“I’m alone,” Zachary said, fighting his gag reflex.

Madame Koochie’s face scrunched. She peered further down the stairs. “Then how’d you get here?” she asked, the sweetness draining from her voice.

“Uncle Ned did bring me,” Zachary said. He didn’t bother to mention the truck he had stolen to do it.

“Oh, good!” Madame Koochie exclaimed. “I haven’t seen Neddy in years.

“Where is that luscious mass of muscles?”

“He left already.” Zachary tried to take only short breaths but the horrible smell wasn’t getting any better. How could he manage to breathe, forget live, in a dump like that.

“Neddy left?”

“He was in a hurry,” Zachary explained. Of course, anyone that knew his uncle would know he was always in a hurry.

“That coward!” Madame Koochie said, all evidence of friendly now gone from her voice. “He’s afraid of a good woman, that’s his problem!”      

Zachary backed down another step.   

“And where do you think you’re going?” she asked, her thickly eyelined eyes focusing on him.

“Maybe I should bring my stuff up,” he forced himself to say, all the while wondering if he’d be better living out in the woods someplace. Besides, without using a bulldozer first, where would he put his things?

She stabbed what looked to be a frosting covered finger at him.

“Every last scrap had better come up here,” she said. “Because if you leave anything in front of my store, I will sell it. Do you understand me? I-WILL-SELL-IT!”

Zachary nodded.

“You get the room off the dining room,” Madame Koochie said. “It’s a little cluttered, but that’s your problem.”

Zachary wanted to run for fresh air but paused to make sure she was done talking.

Her eyes narrowed and her hands went to her wide hips.

Zachary waited.

“Are you a meathead?” she asked. “Because I’ve got no use for meatheads around here.”

Zachary shook his head. Maybe he should have said something else, but he got the impression she wasn’t done talking. So they stared at each other for a few seconds.

“Yep, a meathead!” she finally said and slammed the door.

You can buy Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End ebook here for just 99 cents:  http://www.amazon.com/Zachary-Pill-Dragon-Station-ebook/dp/B005F9YF20/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1312772443&sr=8-5

Thanks, Patrick Jones for being the first person to review Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End (Amazon). His review…

««««« (five out of five stars) One of the best books I’ve read in a while, August 7, 2011     

By Patrick Jones

Many thanks to Tim Greaton for writing such a brilliant book...

This book is really FANTASTIC and it's written with such a unique writing style. There is no series, that I have read, that I can compare it to. It's both funny and dark at the same time, and I really enjoyed all of the characters, especially Madame Koochie and her "rockets." Zachary Pill grew up in Boston, but when bats attack and his father suddenly disappears, he is thrown into a whirlwind of danger and magic. From the bats that attack him in Boston, to his forced imprisonment with Madame Koochie and his trips with friends through the nostrils that are just as slimy and gross as they sound, this book is amazing. And to see a wizard boy transform into a dragon was one of my favorite scenes. I loved this and I'm sure many others will as well. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Read Zachary Pill, The Dragon at Station End. You will definitely not be sorry.

My Thanks: I once dreamt of writing for a living. Though a lot of my time is spent writing for nonprofit corporations and charities around the country, work that is incredibly fulfilling and that I will continue to do long after it is required on my end, each and every day more of my income comes directly from readers of my books. Please know that I couldn’t be more sincere in my appreciation.

THANK YOU ALL FOR GRANTING ME THIS LIFE, THE LIFE OF A WRITER!