Win a $30 GC: Murder in Rock and Roll Heaven by Robin Ray

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Robin Ray will be awarding a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Author's View

At the moment, I live in transitional housing and write in my kitchen. I’ve been here for about six months. Prior to that I lived in my car and all my writing was done at various public libraries in Seattle. I live alone so there is no distraction from roommates, family members or pets. I did make a few acquaintances, and they’d pop by every so often to see if I’m still alive and kicking, but basically I’m alone most of the time. As this is transitional housing, they frown on people who put up too many decorations. I’ve chosen not to put any up at all since I don’t plan to be here that long anyway. Typically, there’d be Asian and African masks on the walls as well as models of Asian and African musical instruments.

I live in Solid Ground Housing. It’s basically a community of buildings in North Seattle that’s been set aside for the poor, chronically homeless, and those with mental illness. Located in Magnuson Park, we have access to wetlands, playfield areas, kite and dog parks, and Lake Washington. I enjoy living here but regret that it’s only transitory. The place is pretty conducive to writing, though. In the six months I’ve been here I’ve written several short stories (“Lamp Black,” “Ol’ Tubby,” “Red Sand,” “The Vented Chamber” and “Post-Concert Blues”), three novellas (“Obey The Darkness,” “Crystal Mine” and “The Soucouyant”), released one audiobook (“Commoner the Vagabond”), and am getting ready to publish a new collection of stories called “Obey The Darkness: Horror Stories.”

No one ever "re-dies" in Heaven; unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to singer Amy Winehouse. Her death, an unprecedented event in Heaven's history, has thrown a once docile world into unfortunate chaos. Because of the new uneasy alliance between angels and citizens, a freshly-arrived detective in the rock & roll town has been tasked with investigating the prime suspects, the members of the 27 Club - Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. To make matters worse, a powerful angel from one of the upper levels of Heaven will soon arrive to make her ten-year inspection, a task that fills the other angels with dread since she has the power to banish anyone of them to the underworld. So, with time running out, the PI and his newly acquired sidekick, both aided by rock legends such as Eddie Cochran, Mama Cass, Kurt Cobain, Karen Carpenter and others, must quickly uncover the mystery that threatens not only to close Heaven’s doors forever, but promises to send a ripple effect through the entire universe that can rip it apart.

Enjoy the Excerpt

Plants of varying shapes and sizes sprouted everywhere, some just knee high, some as tall as mango trees. Rows of narrow pipes across the ceiling misted the foliage every minute. A few customers were sampling some of the edible flowers while others were reading manuals or informational tags about the unusual plants. Towards the back, the good PI spotted an employee who was busy pulling off the dead leaves from several botanical specimens. The clerk, he noticed, was very colorful with her psychedelic bamboo slippers, purplish pants, flowery blue and white tunic, rows of bangles on each wrist, several beaded chains around her neck, and a pink strip of cloth enmeshed in her long brown hair. As Gregory neared her, he could hear her humming along to the music playing over the virtual speakers high up in the corners of the center.

“Excuse me,” he introduced himself, “I was told Janis Joplin works back here.”

The employee turned and glanced at him. “You found her, babe.”

“Hi, Janis,” the PI introduced himself. “I’m Gregory Angelicus. And…”

“Oh, Lord,” she moaned, flinging the twigs in her hand down. “Another angel. What’d I do now?”

“Oh, no,” he stated quickly, “I’m not an angel. I just wanted to ask you a few questions.”

“About what?” she asked, eyeing the intruder with suspicion through her circular yellow sunglasses.

Gregory looked around momentarily. “Is there some place we can talk?”

“Sure,” she answered, crossing her arms. “You’re standing in it.”

About the Author:

Robin Ray emigrated to the U.S. from Trinidad & Tobago at the ripe old age of 12. Already steeped in the rich culture and mysteries of his native land, it would only be a matter of time before he, too, became a musician and storyteller. After a short stint at Iowa State University, he became a nurse for practical purposes but never abandoned his musical and literary aspirations. Eventually, he did play guitar in several bands, committing himself to localized tours and album releases. Leaving the music world behind, he delved headfirst back into his second love - writing. To date, he has authored six screenplays, two novels, seven novellas, around fifty short stories and many poems. Thus far, he’s published six books - five fiction and one non-fiction, all available in paperback and e-book formats. His latest novel, Murder In Rock & Roll Heaven, can be purchased for only $0.99 at Amazon.

Website ~ Goodreads

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