I’ve been blessed with the response my newest book, Fan Mail, is receiving. The reviews have been terrific so far, and it is still in preorder status. It launches fully on March 30th, and on that day, a seven day Book Blog Tour begins. Here are some of the reviews so far:
“Fan Mail masterfully explores brotherhood and healing while delivering a compelling crime thriller in this latest from Joseph Lewis.” -Sublime Book Review
“An emotionally explosive and life-affirming coming of age story wrapped within a simmering crime thriller.” -BestThrillers.com
“Libraries looking for a vivid, fast-paced story that moves from LGBTQ+ issues to family ties and beyond will find Fan Mail a fine acquisition.” -Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
“Tough. Gritty. Lewis cuts deep as he tackles teen sexuality questions as well as dangerous stalkers. The story explodes with tension and strength reflective of the personalities involved. Highly recommend it!” -Sharon Middleton, author of the McCarron’s Corner series
“Fan Mail is a thrilling and suspenseful family mystery novel…a page-turning mystery touching different parts of your heart at each turn.” -Literary Titan
“Starts with a bang and does not stop its relentless shrapnel barrage until you are crying with the characters. Fabulous job by the author. You want to read this one.” -Tina O’Hailey, author of Dark Drink
“Fan Mail is like a mirror held up to contemporary society, brilliantly reflecting and portraying our lives, struggles, troubles, delicate relationships, and so much more.” -Readers’ Favorite
“An interesting coming-of-age novel with a dark twist. Looking forward to the next one.” -Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long Mystery Series
“Short chapters, fast-paced, and terrific attention to telling details combined with a strong plot and great characters added up to a satisfying read. Thanks for another excellent story!” -Karen E. Osborne, author of Reckonings and Tangled Lies
While I am ecstatic over these, I am also humbled. Like Keith Urban stated in an interview a while back, he sees his songs as his children. He can’t love one more than the other. I feel the same way about my books- each of them. I also realize that while they are mine, once published, they belong to the reader. Some will love it, some won’t. I get that.
Here is a snippet from Fan Mail. To set it up for you, it takes place toward the end of the book, in a chapel in a hospital. Brian has been shot and his life is in the balance. We don’t know if he will live or die. Michael, also known as Two, has wandered off from the waiting area. Jeremy and George went in search of him and found him in the darkened chapel.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
The little chapel, darkened except for dim lighting and votive candles, was
empty except for Two, who sat in the second pew on the left. Head down,
shoulders hunched, weeping quietly.
Jeremy and George sat down on either side of him.
“I thought I’d feel Brian here.”
Neither Jeremy nor George responded.
“I prayed just like Brian taught me. I came with thanks and praise. Then
I asked God to protect Brian.”
Jeremy sat back, shocked. What else did Brian teach him?
“I think I prayed correctly,” Two said as he wiped tears from his eyes.
“I’m sure you did,” Jeremy said as he slipped an arm around the boy’s
narrow shoulders.
“But why couldn’t I feel him?”
It came out as a sob, and Jeremy hugged him and kissed the side of his
head.
“Because Brian is alive,” Jeremy whispered, hoping he was correct.
Two shook his head. “Brian can’t die yet.”
“We don’t know anything yet, Two.”
“No, you don’t understand. It’s cold and rainy outside. Brian wants to
die on a sunny day with a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds. But not
until sunset. That’s his favorite time of day. Sunset is when he talks to God
about his day. He talks about how he screwed up and he apologizes and
promises to do better. He can’t die yet. It’s raining, and it’s cold, and it’s not
sunny. It’s not sunset. He can’t die yet.”
How could Jeremy argue with that? He knew there was nothing he
could say that would make sense to Two. It wasn’t the time or place to talk
to his youngest about weighty thoughts.
“I want to be with Brian. He shouldn’t be alone,” Two whispered as he
wiped away tears.
Jeremy gave Two a hug, kissed the side of his head, and said, “Let’s go
back to the waiting room. The doctor or your mom should be out soon, and
they’ll give us an update.”
Two sighed, nodded, and the three of them stood and left the chapel
together to be with the rest of the family. And wait.
Fan Mail, is Available for Preorder at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/thrillers/fanmail
Use code PREORDER2023 to receive a 15% Discount. You can also PREORDER the Kindle Version on Amazon at: amzn.to/3WBbRps
**If you are a blogger, librarian or reviewer, Fan Mail is available on NetGalley for free.**
Fan Mail: New Release! A Literary Titan Silver Book Award Winner!
A barrage of threatening letters, a car bomb, and a heart attack rip apart what was once a close-knit family of adopted brothers. Randy and Bobby, along with fellow band member and best friend, Danny, receive fan mail that turns menacing. They ignore it, but to their detriment. The sender turns up the heat. Violence upends their world. It rocks the relationship between the boys and ripples through their family, nearly killing their dad.
As these boys turn on each other, adopted brother Brian flashes back to that event in Arizona where he nearly lost his life saving his brothers. The scars on his face and arms healed, but not his heart.
Would he once again have to put himself in harm’s way to save them? And if faced with that choice, will he?
Thank you for stopping by. Let me know what you think by dropping a comment in the section below. Thanks for following along on my journey.
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