Derrick by Russell

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Thanks for visiting It's Raining Books!

THANK YOU for having me!

I must share some exciting news with all of you!

My new book, DERRICK, just won in 2018 New Apple Literary Awards Contest as Official Selection in Psychological Suspense. I am completely surprised, flattered and humbled by the honor!

Also to add, GAVIN (Part 1 of The Gavin Nolan Trilogy) won 2017 New Apple Literary Summer E-book Awards as Official Selection in Horror.

Congratulations! What exciting news. Now... share five things we’d probably never guess about you. Fun, interesting, edifying or even embarrassing.

Since you asked… :-)

*I was (am) a classically trained Executive Chef. In my twenties, I received my Culinary Arts degree and became a Sous Chef at a private club. With an opportunity to move to Chicago, IL, I became an Executive Chef for a large corporate dining room, in which I was in charge a staff of 25 people and creating a variety of dishes and menus for hungry patrons. Eventually, I was promoted to a Food and Beverage Director, and ran smaller accounts. Getting tired of corporate rules, I decided to become (and currently still am) a Culinary Instructor, which I love immensely. My favorite class to teach is fundamentals of cooking.

*Alright, I am one of those crazy cat people. I have five of the furry creatures around my house. They are in order of age: Conrad (1 year old), Vinnie (3 years old) Penelope (11 years old) Princess Isabella (13 years old) and of course Phyllis (17 years old). Do they all get along? Um, sure. They have their moments, and all want love on their own time.

*I create back stories about my cats. Conrad was the lone survivor of a devastating hurricane. (He was just a kitten and we found him on a rainy day.) Vinnie is a Brooklyn taxi cab driver with an immense attitude. Penelope is our retired fashionista who lives on Upper East Side of Manhattan. Princess Isabella Rosaline Ferrari (yep, that’s her name) had 7 husbands, but don’t ask what happened to them…if you know what’s good for ya, capish? Phyllis is our Pet Semetary cat: Really, she’s that old and rough looking. Actually, we received Phyllis from a family who wanted to give her up. At one point, she was mangled by dogs, so one her ears are practically gone, and around her neck is nothing but skin. She may not look pretty, but she’s a lover! Our house is her retirement home.

*I consider myself an amateur athlete. Typically, I lift weights 3 to 4 times a week, and have my own home gym. Around 5 am, I go for a four to five mile run at least 4 times a week. Recently, I have been doing CrossFit 3 times a week, which totally kicks my ass each time. Over the last few years, I did over 15 or so for Sprint Triathlons, did 3 Olympic length Triathlons, ran handful of Half-Marathons and did 2 Marathons. What’s next? My goal is to do another Marathon soon. Training for that is rather lengthy: On my last Marathon, I ‘wrote’ my thesis in my head. Also, I would like to attempt a Half Iron Man, which is more intense. In the next year, if my skills keep improving, I would like to try out for the CrossFit Games. Think that would be grueling and exciting at the same time!

*Okay, a quirky item: I habitually check my horoscope each day. Can’t start my day out without reading what might happen. When’s my birthday? Hmm you’ll have to guess. I am a Virgo, meaning I was born in September. Also, I’m a Pig according to the Chinese chart. You’ll have to guess the year. I am very much like my sign: detail orientated, clean, ‘sorta’ smart and a party person. Maybe we should hang out at Happy Hour sometime? ;)

Thanks again for having me!

Quick note: QUINN, the finale to the Gavin Nolan Trilogy, will be out Spring 2020…stay tuned! Check out my website: Russelltheauthor.com for more information.

Read to Escape!
Russell

In Hyde Park, a movie theater erupts in flames on a bitterly cold November evening.

It seems like a job for the fire department, but under Captain Creighton’s direct orders, Detective Gavin Nolan and his partner, Derrick Williamson, must investigate. Arriving on the chaotic scene, they find multiple fatalities —but one of the victims is most peculiar…

Gavin soon discovers that this fire wasn’t the first of its kind. The arsonist has set ablaze other buildings around Chicago, and more female victims left in the same gruesome state have been discovered.

Gavin and Derrick determine that the arsonist is not an arsonist at all—but a sinister serial killer with an agenda.

Juggling the unexpected events in his personal life, Gavin digs into the locations of the explosions. At the same time, Derrick probes into the victims’ lives, searching for any possible connection.

However, when the next explosion occurs, the killer leaves behind a significant object, and Derrick becomes noticeably reserved. Gavin soon uncovers an enigmatic link, one that points to Derrick’s military past. A time that his partner had wished to forget. Yet, to catch the vicious maniac, Derrick must tell Gavin everything.

In a suspenseful, gripping ride to the end, it is up to Gavin to rescue his partner from the clutches of a killer. But will he make it in time?

WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent sexual situations.

Read an Excerpt

“Look at that.” Derrick pointed over to the front rows.

At the fifth and fourth rows in the dead center, several more CSI members were photographing two burnt corpses. The explosion blew back the bodies into a crumpled position on the chairs.

Hopefully they had a quick death. Gavin stayed silent.

Moving on, they reached the exit door near the front of the theater. Another warning from Delanie informed them of the rubble and potential structural damage in the next section. Briefly looking back, Gavin heard the crackling of radios, like eerie ghostly crickets fluttering in the distance. In the opposite direction, three firemen were still containing some smoldering chairs.

“Shit,” Derrick muttered, tapping Gavin’s shoulder. He nodded up.

The once ornate ceiling now had entire sections missing. Squinting slightly, Gavin could see the dark night sky.

Once they passed the doorway, a series of portable lights cascaded over the area. Gavin was unable to decipher the debris, the contents of which were haphazardly pushed away from the clear epicenter near the opposite end of the room. Up above, about a third of the ceiling had disintegrated, leaving a huge hole. The cold wind invaded the space, dissipating the soot scent slightly. More CSI team members shifted diligently, gathering debris in clear evidence bags and marking each spot with photographs and red markers. Near the apparent epicenter of the blast, several firemen were discussing the area, pointing at spots.

“Have to get back to my captain,” the young fireman said. “Need anything else, just let me know.”

“Thanks,” Gavin replied.

“Where the fuck do we begin?” Derrick grumbled.

“You can begin by bringing back that hottie,” Susan said behind them.

Gavin turned to find the doctor kneeling near a shriveled, burnt corpse. Her scalpel gingerly poked and prodded the body’s seared skull.

“Isn’t he too young for you?” Derrick returned with a snarky grin.

Gavin stated, “I didn’t see your van.”

“Came through the back.” She looked up at him and then at Derrick. She added, “As long he’s eighteen-plus, no laws broken, baby.”

Shaking his head, Derrick snickered. One of the CSI team, an annoyed-looking woman whose gray hair probably came directly from her stressful job, shot him a glance.

Standing up and ripping off her plastic gloves, Susan said, “No offense, love you guys, but what the hell are you doing here?”

“Creighton’s orders,” Derrick answered first. His midnight eyes darted over the scene.

About the Author: Russell has been writing for the majority of his life. Slipping into alternative universes allows him to enjoy the process of creativity from the novel’s conception to its final draft. Currently, he lives in South Texas with his wife, two kids and several cats.

DERRICK is a 2018 Winner in the New Apple Literary Awards, receiving Official Selection in Psychological Suspense.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Russell.The.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Russell_Writer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Russell_Writer/
https://www.amazon.com/Derrick-Second-Installment-Gavin-Biography-ebook/dp/B07KXG3KH4

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