Steven Ramirez's Blog: Glass Highway

Greetings and happy holidays. This has been a tough year, with elections, war, and devastating climate change. Wherever you are, I hope you and your family are safe. I am in my seventies now and see the world differently. In my late teens, my biggest concern was not getting drafted. In my twenties, I cared about finding a job. After that, it was really about pursuing my art and enjoying life. In other words, me, me, me.

I’ve changed—for the better, I hope. In my daily life, I strive to see the beauty in others and the majesty in everything the earth has to offer. But I’m human, and sometimes, I forget. Many of you have read my books. A few have met me in person at book signings. Thank you. For me, the best part of publishing a novel is getting a chance to connect with a new reader. To learn a little about that person’s life. And to be grateful.

I don’t know what the future holds. But in 2025, I plan to find joy in everything I do and everyone I meet. And I hope that whatever happens in your life, you also find happiness. May you have a blessed holiday season and a prosperous New Year. That’s my wish for you.

The post December 2024—My Wish for You appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings and happy Halloween. Let’s not get too crazy with the candy this year, okay? Okay, fine. Go nuts. In September, I participated in a Let’s Get Lost book signing at Barnes and Noble, which went splendidly. As always, I met a lot of cool readers, many of them interested in time travel romance. Who knew?

For those who prefer to be scared, check out The Girl in the Mirror. It’s free on Amazon starting today through October 5th.

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MORE FREE BOOKS

And if you’re hungry for more free books, check out Amazon’s ghost suspense best sellers.

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MY LATEST AUDIOBOOKS  When your boss pulls a gun on you, it might be time to quit.  When they’re out to kill you, there’s only one thing to do—get them first.  Adam lost the woman he loves. If only he had a time machine…RECOMMENDED VIEWING

And look what’s on Amazon Prime just in time for Halloween. ‘Drag Me to Hell’ starring Alison Lohman and directed by the great Sam Raimi.

Logline. A loan officer who evicts an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point.

The post October 2024 Highlights and Free Books appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings and happy Tuesday! Let’s Get Lost releases in less than a month. If you haven’t reserved your copy yet, I’ve got good news. All during May, you can grab the ebook for $1.99 USD. Read the preview here. Or, if you prefer the audiobook, you can listen here. Note that the audiobook is available for preorder on Google Play and Kobo.

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BOOKS TO ENJOY

Taking refuge on a remote island, a grieving woman develops unlikely connections with the community and the wild in this haunting novel of hope and perseverance from debut author Jessica Bryant Klagmann.

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Amidst the wild and unforgiving landscapes of Yellowstone Park, join Mayhem, a fearless Apache warrior and champion of the Natural World, and his partner and protégé, Shawnee, as they race against the clock to protect an American Buffalo herd from the ruthless Killzme Corporation.

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Check out these May 2024 book deals. Just click the image to see the titles.

RECOMMENDED VIEWING

So, who doesn’t love cereal—and Jerry Seinfeld? Join an all-star cast as two corporate giants battle it out to win, um… Breakfast?

Logline. In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg’s and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever.

The post May 2024 Highlights and Preorder Sale appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings and happy almost-spring! We’re getting closer. As a reminder, Let’s Get Lost is scheduled to release in early June. In the meantime, I’ve got a preview for you. You can read the preview here. Or, if you prefer the audiobook, you can listen here.

EBOOK
AUDIOBOOK

Let me know what you think. In addition to the ebook, I plan to release the novel in paperback and hardback. Hey, it looks like I’m becoming a real writer! Um, that was a joke.

LET’S GET LOST

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After joining Bland Corporation’s marketing department, Adam meets the boss’s daughter, Jenny, and they fall in love. As a result, the VP decides to eliminate the junior executive. At Bland’s science division in Cambridge, Adam meets Claire, an eccentric young genius fixated on time travel. Later, he uncovers the VP’s plot and, spiraling, ends up in a mental hospital. Ashamed to face Jenny, he seeks solace in the Hudson Valley with his mad scientist uncle. There, Adam vows to win back Jenny. But how? If only he had a time machine.

BOOKS TO ENJOY

Check out these March 2024 book deals. Just click an image to see the titles.

The post March 2024 Highlights and Book Preview appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings and happy holidays! I don’t know about you, but each year I approach the holiday season with trepidation. Sure, everyone’s in a good mood, and I can look forward to presents. But I’ve been doing so well managing my weight, my whole year is about to go out the window. Well, bring it on, I say. And thanks for those cream cheese kolackies.

In my last newsletter I mentioned my new novel, Let’s Get Lost. It’s scheduled to be published in early June 2024, and you can preorder it now. Read on…

LET’S GET LOST

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Adam West’s parents died in a tragic accident at Bland Corporation, leaving him alone and wealthy. Convinced his life should mean something, he accepts a job in Marketing, where he meets Jenny, the boss’s daughter. Adam has no idea how much their relationship displeases her father. The VP devises a scheme to get rid of the junior executive pronto.

While visiting Bland’s Science division, Adam is drawn into an amorous encounter with the chief scientist, Dr. Irenka Lewandowska. Meanwhile, his boss assigns a washed-up drunk to assist Adam. When the Englishman uncovers the VP’s diabolical plot, Adam ends up in a mental hospital. Ashamed to face his disillusioned girlfriend, he seeks refuge in the Hudson Valley at his uncle’s estate. There, Adam is determined to win back Jenny by confronting the extraordinary circumstances that upended his life.

 

BOOKS TO ENJOY

Check out these December book deals. Just click an image to see the titles.

RECOMMENDED VIEWING

Unlike my wife, I’m a sucker for romantic comedies. And for me, watching Love Actually during the holidays is a must—right behind Die Hard, that is. This iconic film is playing on Netflix.

Logline. Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.

 

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In the age of AI, authors have an opportunity to up their game using the myriad of tools that are now available. This embarrassment of riches comes with a price, though. First, how do you wade through all the choices? And second, how do you master the tools so they are a help and not a hindrance?

Fortunately, J. Thorn has come to the rescue. In his excellent book, Three Story Method: Editing Your Scenes with ChatGPT, you learn how to utilize the power of what is arguably the best LLM out there to sharpen your prose. The methodology is based on the author’s time-tested Three Story Method.

What I appreciated most about this book is the care the author takes with the prompts required to get the results you want. Also, I was impressed that the author isn’t suggesting you let the tool write your novel for you. Throughout the chapters, he emphasizes that the goal is to get your manuscript in the best possible shape before handing it off to your editor—brilliant.

If you are an author who’s decided to take the AI plunge, then grab this book. You won’t regret it.

Book Description

Are you an author, in pursuit of scenes that captivate and narrative arcs that mesmerize?

As an editor, do you strive to revise your clients’ scenes so that they consistently engage the reader?

Fear not, for Three Story Method: Editing Your Scenes with ChatGPT is the tool you’ve been searching for.

This unparalleled resource illuminates the path to scene mastery, guiding you to craft sequences that pulse with tension, emotion, and transformative arcs. It’s not just about stringing events together, but orchestrating moments that immerse readers into the heart of your tale, making them yearn for the next chapter.

Bestselling author J. Thorn ushers you into the realm of scene refinement, revealing the nuances of scene structure and development. With clarity, precision, and insightful examples, Thorn demystifies the art of scene crafting, showcasing how to hone each segment of your narrative to perfection.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:

The fundamentals of effective scene design, laying the foundation for gripping narratives.Techniques to optimize pacing, ensuring your scenes flow seamlessly and maintain reader engagement.Strategies to leverage ChatGPT’s AI insights, refining and elevating each scene’s impact.Insights into common scene pitfalls and how to avoid them, keeping your narrative trajectory sharp.And many additional tools and techniques!

This book isn’t just an instruction manual—it’s an invitation to a transformative editing experience. It’s a beacon for authors aiming to leave a lasting impression with scenes that resonate, engage, and inspire.

Where to Buy

Amazon
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Google Play

More Reviews

Did you enjoy this review? Check out my other reviews here. And don’t forget to follow me at BookBub.

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I’ve been reading J.P. Choquette for a while now and have found her stories to be inventive and creepy. She insists on placing her characters in the worst possible situations and watching them squirm. I imagine her sitting at her desk, rubbing her hands together, saying, “Let’s see you get out of this one, bud.”

With Writers’ Retreat, the author has outdone herself. In a way, she’s turned the tables if you believe the writer Flora Rossi might be a proxy for the author. I’ll leave that one to the experts. In any case, this novel is chilling. Her descriptions are just detailed enough to make the reader see and taste everything, including the awful tea Venetia likes to serve her guests. Without giving too much away, I’ll say that Flora suffers in this novel—and you feel that, too.

If you’re looking for something to keep you up at night, grab this book. And if you’re thinking about going on one of those writers’ retreats, choose Hawaii—trust me.

Book Description

You’ve never been to a writing retreat like this.

Flora Rossi is under deadline and her agent has made it clear: meet it or the publishing house will drop her. Still recovering emotionally from a tragic accident and with her creative muse missing, the acceptance letter to Idyll Weiss Writing Retreat comes at a perfect time.

A full week away to write in a rustic home deep in the Vermont woods with a handful of other writers will be just what Flora needs to rekindle her creative spark. The fact that the exclusive writing getaway is led by bestselling author-turned recluse, Venetia Valentine? It’s the stuff of dreams.

Or nightmares.

Because the retreat isn’t quite what Flora or the others expected. Secretive staff, no electricity, a missing writer, and unanswered questions about the Retreat Center’s dark past are just the beginning.

As hard as it was to get into the retreat, getting out will be even harder.

Where to Buy

Amazon
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Kobo

More Reviews

Did you enjoy this review? Check out my other reviews here. And don’t forget to follow me at BookBub.

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I love Los Angeles, especially when reading about the city’s sometimes notorious past. S. R. Mallery loves LA, too, because when she writes about the period between two world wars, the words pour out, creating a landscape you can see and almost touch. In All Those Masks, she’s got her work cut out for her, taking on Hollywood, corrupt policemen, and the Klan. And she succeeds beautifully.

Detective fiction requires a body. In All Those Masks, it’s a Jewish journalist who is found brutally murdered. And all signs point to the local chapter of the Klan. As Frank Lozano and his team investigate, the author takes us on a dizzying jalopy ride that introduces us to speakeasies, movie stars, a vicious police captain, and a bevy of side characters with colorful backgrounds.

If you enjoy fast-paced historical fiction with strong female characters, splashes of humor, and romance, I heartily recommend this book. Careful, though. You might just fall in love with Los Angeles, too.

Book Description

In 1927, Private Eye Frank Lozano is on a mission. After he left the corrupt Los Angeles police department, he had formed his own detective agency, and with his two fellow sleuths, a grammar-correcting secretary, and a beautiful, yet quirky researcher who makes his heartbeats soar, he looks forward to handling cases the way he thinks is best.

Then he encounters true evil. A murder that is most probably linked to either to the Klan—still alive in Southern California—or Chicago mobsters is bad enough. But when his secretary’s husband is wrongfully arrested and put in jail for the slaying, Frank and his cohorts go on the warpath to put the true killer in jail.

Much like this series’ Prequel, Trouble In Glamour Town, film stars float in and out. Here, we are introduced to the famous film idol, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, wrongfully accused of rape and murder, as well as Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin. Also surrounding the case are two of the very first policewomen in the country: Los Angeles’ Alice Stebbins Wells and New York’s undercover detective, Mary Sullivan.

Bottom line: Will this eclectic team find out who the true killer is before he—or she—lands another victim?

Where to Buy

Amazon

More Reviews

Did you enjoy this review? Check out my other reviews here. And don’t forget to follow me at BookBub.

The post Book Review—All Those Masks appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings. I realize it’s only October, but I can’t wait for 2024. Why? Because I have a new book coming out, my first historical fiction novel. It’s called Let’s Get Lost—like the Chet Baker song—and it’s pretty freaking wild. The story is set in 1960 and takes place in New York. Have I got your attention? Read on…

BOOK BLURB

Adam West is wealthy after his parents’ tragic death at Bland Corporation. Nevertheless, he accepts a position in the company’s Marketing department under Bruce Donovan, who resents his presence. Bruce’s daughter Jenny schemes to make the junior executive her boyfriend to trick her father into buying her a coveted sports car. But to her surprise, they fall in love.

After being given a massive ad campaign, Adam visits the Science division, where he learns they are working on time travel. The chief scientist Dr. Irenka Lewandowska seduces him at a hotel but dismisses their encounter as insignificant. Guilt-ridden over the affair, Adam seeks help for his project. Bruce pairs him with a washed-up English drunk, Del Dillard, who learns of the boss’s plans to torpedo the campaign. Disillusioned and depressed, the Englishman takes his own life.

The shock of Del’s suicide triggers Adam, and after running amok, he is taken to a mental hospital. Eventually, he is released, but not before Jenny sees him in his pathetic state, wearing a patient gown. Deeply ashamed, he seeks refuge with his scientist uncle. There, he discovers a disturbing experiment—reanimating the severed head of the mass murderer Karl Hiller.

Adam’s half-brother Fox stumbles onto the test subject’s true identity and decides to blackmail the West family. However, Karl Hiller can control minds and has big plans for the suggestible encyclopedia salesman. Wishing he could start over, Adam realizes he must confront the incredible forces entangling his confused life. And he needs to win back Jenny.

If only he had a time machine…

LISTEN TO THE LET’S GET LOST PLAYLIST

NEW RELEASE

You’ve never been to a writing retreat like this.

Flora Rossi is under deadline and her agent has made it clear: meet it or the publishing house will drop her. Still recovering emotionally from a tragic accident and with her creative muse missing, the acceptance letter to Idyll Weiss Writing Retreat comes at a perfect time.

A full week away to write in a rustic home deep in the Vermont woods with a handful of other writers will be just what Flora needs to rekindle her creative spark. The fact that the exclusive writing getaway is led by bestselling author-turned-recluse, Venetia Valentine? It’s the stuff of dreams.

Or nightmares.

Readers of books by Ruth Ware, Jennifer McMahon, and Susan Hill will enjoy this slow-burn suspense. Loaded with twists and turns, Writers’ Retreat is another unputdownable suspense novel by J.P. Choquette. PREORDER NOW

BOOKS TO ENJOY

Check out these October book deals. Just click an image to see the titles.

RECOMMENDED VIEWING

What are you prepared to do to advance your career. You’d be surprised. Starring the inimitable Christoph Waltz.

Logline. Follows a relationship between employee and boss, asking how far we will go to get ahead, and to survive.



The post October 2023 Highlights and Getting Lost appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings. Wow, can you believe the year is half over? For the past few months, I’ve been getting things ready for the relaunch of my first thriller trilogy, Hellborn Series. Book 1 is Tell Me When I’m Dead, and this month, I’m celebrating its tenth anniversary. Cue the party poppers. To mark the occasion, I updated all three books, and the action is even more wicked. But that’s not all. Now through the end of July, you can pick up Book 1 for ninety-nine cents.

Book Blurb

A strange plague ravages a quiet town, turning its victims into dead flesh-eaters who hunt. With ravening hordes surging, the beleaguered security force is outnumbered. To survive, Dave Pulaski, his wife, and a band of former guards must fight the hostiles.

Books to Enjoy

Medical Examiner Dr. Giselle Norwood has stumbled upon a serial killer… or two. Time of Death by Audrey Walker.

With the clock running out, can Emma Pepper prove she’s being framed, or will she go down for a crime she didn’t commit? On the Run by B.P Stevens.

Check out these Kindle Unlimited Clean-ish Adventures in Scifi, Action, & Fantasy. The promotion ends August 6, 2023.

Recommended Viewing

What happens when you take Chucky from the classic 1988 horror movie ‘Child’s Play’ and add a cute little girl robot powered by AI? You get ‘M3gan,’ now showing on Amazon Prime. But I warn you—she can be very protective. Check out this horror sci-fi thriller from James Wan and Blumhouse. Starring Allison Williams.

Logline. A robotics engineer at a toy company builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own.

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