Q&A with Mark Duncan, author of BRINGING UP MIKE

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mark will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Books in the Hall chats with Mark Duncan, author of BRINGING UP MIKE. Why Young Adult fiction? What draws you to it?

Bringing Up Mike is about raising an artificial intelligence that is developing as a child. Many of the same coming of age issues faced by both Joe (the teenage developer of Mike) and Mike (the artificial intelligence), are the same as for any young adult. Young adult fiction provided a great setting to examine why we do things.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

I love both ice cream and gelato. I live just north of Palo Alto, about a mile from Tin Pot Creamery, Gelataio, Scoop Microcreamery, Cream, Friche Yogurt, Palo Alto Creamery and Rick’s Ice Cream. While I particularly like Burgundy Cherry and Jamaican Almond Fudge, many of the new stores have unique flavors: Salted Butterscotch, Bourbon Vanilla with Salted Caramel, as well as a very intense Dark Chocolate.

What candy do you give out at Halloween?

Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups! They come twenty-eight wrapped cups per 14 oz. box. They’re simply wonderful—creamy and delicious. It’s hard to eat a Reese’s peanut butter cup after having experienced Justin’s. Fortunate for me, the local Costco sells them!

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

The power to read woman’s minds! Sorry, this is actually a question that April poses to Joe when they go on a date to have pizza, followed by a movie, in Bringing Up Mike. But speaking as a man, won’t it be great?

Speaking of pizza, what are your favorite pizza toppings?

I love deep-dish Chicago style pizzas topped with extra tomatoes, artichoke and anchovies. It’s a great combination! The acidity of the tomatoes balances nicely with the bitterness of the anchovies, and sets off the artichoke hearts. Patxi’s Chicago Pizza in Palo Alto is my favorite place for this.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

At the moment, I’m reading Fire by Kristin Cashore. It’s the prequel to Graceling that I just finished. Other books I’ve read in the past few weeks: All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Poor Man’s Fight and Rich Man’s War by Elliott Kay, A Sword into Darkness by Thomas Mays, Lines of Departure by Marko Kloos. And of course, there’s a pile of non-fiction books, the most recent of which is The Intel Trinity by Michael Malone.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Hunger Games. I read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay during one week. I’ve seen the first two Hunger Games movies as well. I never could get into any of the Twilight novels, they just didn’t have any appeal for me.

What was your favorite childhood TV show?

I loved Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. It always had something significant to say about the human condition—gender roles, racial relations, and other social views. Subsequently, I was quite fond of the first two seasons of Star Trek with William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy.

What’s your favorite hot beverage. Why?

I love hot chocolate! Particularly Mexican hot chocolate—that’s with cayenne pepper and cinnamon added to. It has a real kick to it. I like coffee, but it doesn’t like me—I can’t sleep at night after drinking it, so I only drink it occasionally, early in the morning when I need to stay awake.

Ideal summer vacation

Flying somewhere I’ve never been before, exploring the area, then renting a car or taking the train to the next nearby destination. No specific, particular plan—rather an open-ended exploration. Of course, this means avoiding peak travel or tourist times when accommodations become scarce. I’ve done this traveling to Europe and the Hawaiian islands.

Which of your characters would you most like to meet in real life? Why?

George’s father, Allen Barber is a professor emeritus at an East Coast university. He’s 82 and is a very sharp and insightful person. Martha’s father, Ed Alexander is a former U.S. Army Colonel. At age 75, he has traveled all over the world. He has an prosthesis on his lower leg, due to an IED having blown it off. Both of them have great stories and experiences to share.

You’re stranded on a desert island—which character from your book do you want with you? Why?

Martha Barber, age 49, was a military brat. She’s expert with animals, handy with a gun, gardens and cooks. She makes quick, correct, decisive decisions under pressure. In a paintball battle, you want to be on her side.

You’ve just won a million dollars and you’re not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?

Art, travel, education and gifts. I love art, my walls are covered with paintings, weavings and artwork. Travel expands my view and understanding of the world; it is incredibly stimulating. With money being no object, there are many university led tours around the world that lecture on their history and culture. In terms of helping people, helping them get a better education is very much like the difference between giving poor people fish, or teaching them how to fish. I’ve always felt good about the times and places where I was able to help someone.

What happens when Joe, a teen prodigy makes drastic changes to his life and attends high school incognito with Mike, an artificial intelligence? His plans take an unexpected turn when he buys a neglected former racehorse.

Bringing Up Mike is a tapestry of intertwined stories over the course of a school year: A teen genius who has grown up too fast, a neglected former racehorse, a bereaved couple morning the death of their son, a girl struggling to attend college, and a former mobster determined to be top dog.

Bringing Up Mike is about people given a second chance at happiness and success and how they become better people and mature.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Martha walked to the barn, the shotgun stock tucked firmly against her side, then stopped fifteen feet from the back of the horse trailer.

“Any reason why I shouldn’t shoot you trespassers?”

Three men who were struggling to get the stallion into the trailer froze. The fourth, a big burly man, stood in front of Martha, the horse directly behind him.

“This isn’t what you think. We’re retrieving our lost stallion,” said Sly.

“At dawn? Without asking permission?”

“It didn’t seem polite to wake you up so early.”

“Seems to me you sold him for four thousand dollars.”

“It was a joke to teach the kid a lesson. That horse is worth twenty thousand, I knew the contract wasn’t valid, because he’s a minor.”

“There’s no way I’d let that stallion go back to someone who starved him.”

“He had plenty of pasture! Once he learned not to bite the hand that fed him, he’d get his grain.”

As they talked, Sly edged closer to Martha, then tried to grab her shotgun. Martha pivoted, pointed the gun at the wheel on the horse trailer, and shot.

There was a CRACK-BANG as a burst of birdshot exploded the tire. Startled and frightened, Comanche reared up and dragged Reuben and Sam, who had wrapped lead ropes around their hands. Martha threw herself flat on the ground, followed by the crack of a bullet that stopped Sly in mid-step.

About the Author:

Mark Duncan grew up in Pasadena, not far from Caltech. In high school he spent Friday and Saturday nights at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL) and subsequently was a member of the Homebrew Computer Club. He received his BSEE from UC Berkeley. He has worked or consulted for numerous startups in Silicon Valley. He lives in Menlo Park, near Stanford and has written extensively on emerging technology topics. He enjoys photography, movies, theater, fine dining and has visited all 50 states and much of Europe. He is the author of Bringing Up Mike, www.askmarpublishing.com, mark@askmarpublishing.com

Book Website: http://www.askmarpublishing.com/books/bringing up mike.html,br> Publisher Website: http://www.askmarpublishing.com
Author Website: http://www.askmarpublishing.com/authors/mark duncan.html
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/askmarpub
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askmar

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Alexandra Fry Private Eye: Tutankhamen's Gift by Angella Graff - Spotlight and Giveaway

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Now an 8th grader and the senior of Sage Brush Middle School, Alexandra Fry is looking forward to having a nice, calm, mystery-free year. But her hopes are dashed when she's visited by none other than the famous boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun who has a very special request: to find the carved jade crocodile that once belonged to the mummy of his unborn child. With a fight brewing between Alexandra and her two best friends, Penelope and Jack, this case won't be as easy as it seems.

New friends, a first crush, and a new threat from the spirit world, Alexandra must use everything she's learned to uncover the mysteries in this case. Who is the bad guy this time? Who can she trust? And above all, what is the Shadow Man?

It's up to Alexandra, her friends, and possible new allies to save the day in the thrilling new tale of Alexandra Fry, Private Eye.

Enjoy an excerpt:

I gulped and shook my head, not wanting to speak for fear of someone hearing. “We’re minutes away. Now if you don’t mind going away, I really don’t need the distraction,” I hissed.

Jack stiffened next to me and he glanced around. “He’s here? Augustus?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, complaining as usual.”

Augustus fixed his beady eyes on me, then vanished in a huff. As I stared at the empty space where he’d been, the air grew cold again, and for just the quickest second, I saw a dark thing in its place. It was hooded, like the horror movie grim reapers, but then it was gone. I felt my breath catch in my throat as the air around me constricted, just for a second. Then the air began to warm up again, and I told myself it was just my imagination, just trauma from the roof, adrenaline from the chase.

Jack squeezed my hand. It was time. The cops were cresting up over the hill and pointing in our direction. With a deep breath, we tore out of the brush and raced toward the truck where two tall, burly men with tattoos and black t-shirts were loading the truck. They obviously hadn’t expected to see us pop up because they just stood there staring, boxes in hand, and didn’t do anything as we dropped the document on the ramp of the moving truck and ran.

About the Author: Angella Graff was born and raised in the desert city of Tucson, Arizona. She married and became a mother very young, and after getting started with her family, began her University studies where she found her passion for creative writing, history and theology.

She now resides in Tucson with her husband Joshua, three children, Christian, Isabella and Adia, and their three cats and three dogs.

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Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Angella-Graff/e/B009GLDA9C
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Spotlight and Giveaway: Vanished from Dust by Shea Norwood

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Shea Norwood will be awarding a $25 PayPal, Amazon or BN GC via rafflecopter. Click on the banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A CHILL RUNS THROUGH HIS SKIN AS THE PHANTOM APPEARS.

HE SEES THEM EVERYWHERE . . .

Eric Stark is not insane. Or at least he doesn’t think so. He wishes everyone in Dust, Texas, felt the same way. But that’s not going to happen since the whole town thinks he’s crazy. Why didn’t he keep his mouth shut?

No one understands. Eric is alone as he battles his sanity in a town of tormenters. Suddenly a new friendship emerges after the new kid, Kyle Barrett, moves to town.

Eric reluctantly reveals his secret. Is it a curse or a gift? He isn’t certain, but with Kyle by his side he finds the courage to seek the truth.

They soon realize that something sinister is descending on the residents of Dust.

Is it caused by Eric’s phantoms or is it something else? Is it connected to the mysterious death of hundreds of townspeople over sixty years ago? One thing is certain—only Eric and Kyle can save them.

They set out on a heart-pounding adventure and find themselves transported to a disturbed and deserted version of their small southern town. They quickly discover that this new world has mysteries of its own to uncover. What they find could prove more than they bargained for, and it only leads to more questions. Eric and Kyle must face a horrifying fact—they may never get out alive.

“We’re gonna die here,” Kyle muttered.

“I don’t believe that,” Eric said. “And neither do you.”

Will they survive their encounter with these dark and mysterious beings?

Will they find a way back home?

Or will they be lost forever?

The Vanished from Dust series is perfect for anyone who craves a hair-raising thriller packed with mystery and suspense. This paranormal story for young adults can be compared to Stand by Me, mixed with Odd Thomas, and a twist of The Dark Tower.

Enjoy an excerpt:

“Anyone there?” A large man asked in a loud and forceful voice.

Kyle peaked over the hedge and ducked down quickly. “I think he saw me.”

“No way,” Eric said, his heart still pumping hard in his chest. He edged his head over the hedge.

There was no one at the door.

Seconds later the light went out.

“He went back inside.” Eric stood up, ready to leave.

“Let’s go do another one.” Kyle walked into the street. “This time it’s your turn.”

“Okay,” Eric said.

A porch light came on without warning.

Eric thought of his mantra to run instinctively but froze instead as a large man darted outside with amazing speed for his size. He was pointing a shotgun directly at them. They were standing in the darkness of the street just out of reach of the man’s vengeful eyes.

“Stop right there, you little pricks,” the fat man said in an authoritative tone.

The shotgun was still pointed at them. “I’m gonna call your daddies and tell ’em what you’re up to. Or better yet, shoot you with this salt rock I loaded just for punk kids like you who knock on my door in the middle of the night.”

“Let’s run,” Eric whispered. His heart was pounding even faster now.

“Screw that! He has a twelve gauge pointed at us.”

“What are your damn names?” The man, still in his overalls, stood in his yard. By now, his wife and two young children were among the audience.

The hammer on the shotgun pulled back, making a distinctive click.

“Run!” Eric shouted and bolted. He was reminded of Kenny Rogers’s well-sung advice, which correlated nicely with his innate nature to run when confronted with danger.

An ear-piercing explosion shot through the night sky as rock salt slammed into the road in front of Eric. It sounded like thousands of shards of glass crashing against the pavement all around him.

About the Author:

Shea Norwood is a West Texas native that currently lives in the DFW area with his wife and son. He's an avid reader and enjoys the craft of writing. The fictional town of Dust is loosely based on a small town south of Odessa, TX.

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