The Company of Demons by Michael Jordan - NBTM and Giveaway

THE COMPANY OF DEMONS

by Michael Jordan

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GENRE: Thriller

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BLURB:

The brutal murder of a friend leaves lawyer John Coleman stunned and sends shock waves through the city of Cleveland. The technique of the killing recalls memories of the Torso Murderer, who dismembered at least twelve people decades ago and vanished--eluding even the legendary Eliot Ness. Jennifer, the victim's beautiful daughter, hires John to handle her father's estate, and romantic feelings for her soon complicate his already troubled marriage. When John finds himself entangled with a cold-blooded biker gang, an ex-cop with a fuzzy past, and the drug-addicted son of the dead man, he struggles to make sense of it all. But he cannot escape a growing sense of dread.

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EXCERPT

There was never any trouble at the Tam O’Shanter, even on a rocking weekend night, even when one of the Tribe smacked a homer for a go-ahead run. Tim and Karen ran a tight joint, the perfect hideaway to lounge beneath faded posters of ‘70s rock bands and sip a cold one. So when Karen screamed from the seedy alley behind the bar, our little oasis was shattered. Tim bolted for the back door. 

I rushed after him and squinted in the bright sunlight. Tim was cradling his wife in his arms. She stared at me vacantly, then broke away and retched. Huddled over the rough asphalt, in her thin T-shirt and faded jeans, Karen reminded me of a fragile little girl. The wastebasket she’d intended to empty lay near her, paper napkins and discared receipts fluttering in the humid breeze. Tim waved a hand toward a Dumpster, its lid flung open, wedged tight against the crumbling brick wall. “Don’t look.”

But I did. 

The sight of a naked body, sprawled across plastic, garbage bags, was impossible to miss. Or part of a body, really, because the head was gone. So was everything below the waist. The hairy torso had been split down the middle, and I didn’t need to be a pathologist to know that someone had scooped out the guts and the lungs and the heart. Flies droned incessantly and, in the summer heat, the stench of rancid meat wafted to me. I backed away.

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I asked Michael where are five places you might visit for inspiration for your books?   Here are his answers.

The Company of Demons features several dark characters who are not the sort of people you’ll find sipping martinis at the club. I wanted to create believable dialogue and settings, so I visited places where I would most likely encounter the type of people who would drive the story in my book:

1.     The county courthouse. Although I am a trial attorney by training, my criminal justice experience is limited. Accordingly, to make my characters and courtroom scenes ring true, I visited  the courthouse on criminal arraignment days. Believe me, that is not an experience to be missed. 

2.     Greasy spoon diners. These joints are great places to pick up on dialogue. Sit at the counter, nurse a coffee, and listen to the exchange between the waitresses (rarely a waiter) and the regulars. The sometimes rough humor, the rhythm of the conversation, and the typical playful exchanges are all invaluable walking instruction manuals in how to draft believable dialogue. 

3.     Dive bars. Terrific places to eavesdrop, or participate in, offbeat conversations. Visit during the afternoon to minimize the likelihood of encountering the sort who might want to cause trouble after having a few too many. 

4.     Bus stations. Grab a coffee, and sit, watch, and listen. 

5.     Locations where scenes are set: This may seem obvious, but we can always see a place with a fresh set of eyes. A few scenes in Demonsare set in a park that I often visited before writing the book. I decided to visit again during the drafting process, for the express purpose of strolling areas that I had not frequented in the past. By doing so, I found a plaque commemorating an event that occurred over one hundred years ago. I had not previously known of that event, and finding the plaque helped me write what I believe is a very moving chapter. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Michael Jordan obtained his undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, with highest honors, and his law degree from George Washington University, where he was a member of the Law Review. A trial lawyer and arbitrator for over three decades, he has been recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer and named to Best Lawyers in America. A member of the International Association of Crime Writers, The Company of Demons is his first novel.

An avid traveler, Michael has climbed Mt. Fuji, swam in The Devil’s Pool on the cusp of Victoria Falls, trekked a glacier in Patagonia, and visited numerous other countries. Yes—an international thriller lies in the future! He has also acted in several theatrical productions and his experience on stage is helpful in creating characters for his novels. He is currently working on his next book, a thriller set during the closing stages of WWII. 

A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Michael and his wife, Linda Gross Brown, a soft pastel artist, divide their time between homes in Rocky River, Ohio, and Longboat Key, Florida. They enjoy traveling, pleasure boating, and very cold martinis. 

Website: http://michaeljordanbooks.com/

Twitter: @mjordanauthor (https://twitter.com/mjordanauthor)

Facebook: michaeljordanbooks (https://www.facebook.com/michaeljordanbooks) 

Book Video: https://youtu.be/tokI9gN0Jog

Buy links:

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1626344515/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-company-of-demons-michael-jordan/1126494375

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781626344518

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Company-Demons/Michael-Jordan/9781626344518?id=7108487229546

800 CEOREAD: https://800ceoread.com/products/company-of-demons-michael-jordan-english?selected=807542

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Michael Jordan will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn winner and an audio copy of “The Company of Demons” to 10 randomly drawn winners (this prize is US/Canada only) via rafflecopter.

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