Excerpt Sunday: Not All’s Kosher at Stepford’s Berkshire Hope Clinic

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5 star thriller, Author Lada Ray, Berkshires MA, BOOK: Stepford USA, cat mystery, cozy mystery, humor, Jade Snow, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, psychological mystery thriller, romance, STEPFORD KNITTING CLUB, Stepford USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure), Stepford Wives, Stockbridge MA, whodunnit, women's literature

Not all conspiracies are global…Some are hidden in small towns with flawless facades  

Great news! Last week’s experiment with posting an excerpt from THE EARTH SHIFTER proved to be so successful that I decided to continue this new tradition (read ES excerpt here). So, going forward on Sundays, I’ll be posting excerpts from my various books.

This particular scene from STEPFORD USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure) is set at a mental clinic located in the seemingly idyllic town of Stepford in the midst of the picturesque Berkshire Mountains, Massachusetts. The name of the town is fictional, but bears resemblance to the real local towns, namely Sheffield, Lenox, and especially Stockbridge, MA. While writing STEPFORD USA I lived in the area before moving back to New York. I wrote the setting in real time based on my observations and experiences, and perhaps because of that it appears so vivid, down to the smallest details.

The surreal scene at the Berkshire Hope Clinic reminds me a little of the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; and more (of course, this applies to the whole book) – of The Stepford Wives. But you be the judge!

In this scene the heroine, Jade Snow, and her friend, Rachel Weise, visit Rebbecca at the clinic where the mute victim of the long forgotten, and conveniently swept under the carpet, rape has been a long-term patient… um… prisoner. Until Jade shows up and starts questioning things that haven’t been questioned before in this town of conformity and behind the scenes deals.

In addition to whodunnit and howdunnit, STEPFORD USA contains social satire, psychic visions, adorable and pretty amazing kitty & doggie, as well as a generous helping of humor. Oh yeah, and how could I forget the Gossip Central of the Berkshires: the infamous STEPFORD KNITTING CLUB, who unwittingly help Jade solve the puzzle! Sorry – no robots, if you don’t count some Stepford residents ;).

A Fun Little Game: The First 4 Words You See Describe You

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Bestseller, book, E-book, entertaining, free promotion, fun, game, Gold Train, Green Desert, KDP Select, Kindle, Literature, promo, Stepford USA, Stepford Wives, weekend, word game

I worked hard the whole week! The weekend is almost here and I thought, why not play a little game? It’s fun, yet thought-provoking. Check it out and have a wonderful weekend!

But first, just a quick update: STEPFORD USA and GREEN DESERT free promos are over. Over 3000 free copies of my books have been downloaded during the past few days and both books appeared on Kindle international bestseller lists. A million thanks to All for your interest and support! I wish all my readers a very happy reading and hope you enjoy my books! 🙂 Do remember to support your favorite authors by liking their books and contributing Amazon & Goodreads reviews!

This was the first time I’ve done the free promotion and I intend to share the results, my impressions (which are mixed at best), and thoughts on Kindle KDP Select program and the direction it’s taking, in a future post. For all the details/blurbs/book trailers/rankings see: STEPFORD USA post; GREEN DESERT post. I initially intended to include GOLD TRAIN in this free promo, but based on my impressions, I reconsidered it, at least for now. For more about that read my future post. For more about all my books see official author website: http://www.LadaRay.com

And now, game time! Check out this little entertaining game: The first 4 words you see describe YOU! I got “elegant” “eloquent” “stubborn” “outgoing.” And… “sweet” thrown in the mix, too. Interesting… I personally like to think I am more sweet than stubborn. Well, maybe when it comes to achieving a goal 😉

And what do you see? Have a go and share your results in comments 🙂

STEPFORD USA, Jade Snow International Adventure #1, FREE on Amazon 5/29-5/30!

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Amazon.com, cat mystery, Green Desert, Jade Snow, Jade Snow International Adventure Series, knitting club, Massachusetts, murder, mystery thriller, New York, psychological mystery, rape, romance, Russia, Small American town, Stepford USA, Stepford Wives, suspense, The Berkshires, United States

5/31 quick update: STEPFORD USA and GREEN DESERT free promos are over. Over 3000 free copies of my books have been downloaded during the past few days and both books appeared on Kindle international bestseller lists. A million thanks to All for your interest and support! I wish all my readers a very happy reading and hope you enjoy my books! 🙂 Do remember to support your favorite authors by liking their books and contributing Amazon & Goodreads reviews!

This was the first time I’ve done the free promotion and I intend to share the results, my impressions (which are mixed at best), and thoughts on Kindle KDP Select program and the direction it’s taking, in a future post. For all the details/blurbs/book trailers/rankings see: STEPFORD USA post; GREEN DESERT post. I initially intended to include GOLD TRAIN in this free promo, but based on my impressions, I reconsidered it, at least for now. For more about that read my future post. For more about all my books see official author website: http://www.LadaRay.com

Read the original post below:

I am very pleased to announce that STEPFORD USA, psychological mystery thriller, Jade Snow International Adventure #1, is FREE on Kindle 5/29-5/30! Download your copy today!

Bestseller rank:

US: #193 Kindle FREE; #29 Mystery & thrillers; #9 Mystery; #8 Women Sleuths

UK: #358 Kindle FREE; #14 Mystery & Thrillers/ Women Sleuths

DE: #259 Kostenfrei Kindle; #5 Krimis & Thriller/ Krimis (mystery); #50 Populare Belletristik (popular fiction)

5 Star rated psychological mystery thriller, set in an idyllic Massachusetts town harboring a dark secret. Cool characters and setting, intense adventure full of surprising developments, amazing pets and humor! Check it out!

Here are the buy links:

Amazon US FREE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005L36DG6

Amazon UK FREE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005L36DG6

Also FREE Amazon: DE   FR   ES   IT

Synopsis: Psychological mystery thriller, Jade Snow US Adventure. A cool play on The Stepford Wives, STEPFORD USA will dazzle you with an array of funny, outlandish, dangerous and utterly realistic characters. Who committed rape and murder: a corrupt police chief, crooked politician, millionaire-nerd, or womanizing banker?

FIVE STARS
“This exciting page-turner will have you guessing from the very beginning. Lada skillfully weaves many surprises into this psychological thriller. Her exquisite scene setting together with compelling dialogue makes Stepford USA a fascinating, if at times nail-biting, read. I highly recommend Stepford USA. Jade Snow is intelligent, warm and witty. Join her as she puts the pieces together and helps release a town from its dark, hidden past.” Jason Sullivan, Author, The Dark Yergall

FIVE STARS
“Psychological thrillers don’t get much better than this. Excitingly and yet chillingly gripping… plot line that surprises you at every turn and absolutely does not let you go.”  J.J. Collins, Author, Famine to  Freedom (UK)

FIVE STARS
“I enjoyed reading this uplifting book by Ms. Ray, filled with intrigue and irresistible characters.” Amazon review by a reader

FIVE STARS
“Very well written and gripping tale that will leave you guessing to the very end! Excellent storytelling!” Amazon review by a reader

Ladies from the Stepford Knitting Club know it all, except that the town has been hijacked by criminals posing as pillars of local community. That’s where Jade Snow comes in. A new breed of amateur sleuths and international journalist, she’s thoroughly at home in the brave, new, globalized world, but unprepared for one challenge – the dull existence in this sheltered American town. And that’s exactly where she ends up after getting married and pregnant. Aided by a super-intelligent calico cat and a psychoanalyst from New York, Jade’s on a mission to solve baffling mysteries, uncover a local conspiracy and turn this sleepy paradise upside down… if she can survive the attraction to an enigmatic convicted rapist, and the encounter with a desperate killer.
Warning: Contains enough suspense, psychology, mystical happenings, amazing pets, virtual reality, romance and humor to be a thrillingly delightful, yet dangerously sobering read.

Category: novel, psychological mystery/thriller
Word count: 69,800. Print pages 248

Check out Stepford USA Trailer!

Also by Lada Ray:
GOLD TRAIN: rip-roaring thrill-ride mystery/thriller set in Russia and based on true historic events (Jade Snow #2, Russia Adventure)
Green Desert: riveting story set in Iraq (Jade Snow Prequel)

Reminder: 5/28 is the last day to download GREEN DESERT for FREE! Check it out here!

NOTE: While each book in the Jade Snow International Adventure Series stands on its own, it is advisable to read them sequentially to fully appreciate the character development and plot twists.

For more about Lada, her books and current projects, visit LadaRay.com

Cheers and happy reading to all! 🙂

Book Review: Stepford USA by Lada Ray

Tags

BOOK: Stepford USA, cat lovers mystery, conspiracy, CULTURE: Russia, international journalist, Jade, Jade Snow, Jade Snow World Adventure Series, knitting club, Moscow, murder, mystery, mystery thriller, paranormal, pet lovers, prequel, psychological thriller, small town, Stepford, Stepford Wives, twists, United States

Re-Blogged from DIFFERENT OUTCOMES BLOG by Jason Sullivan http://differentoutcomes.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/book-review-stepford-us-by-lada-ray/

Posted on December 30, 2011

Some people think small town life is uneventful. Jade Snow, the protagonist of Lada Ray’s mystery-thriller, Stepford USA, thought so as well. But Jade was soon to learn that sleepy little towns can hold the biggest, scariest secrets! Jade arrives in Stepford in order to rest up before having a baby. However, she quickly starts to pick up hints that everything is not all charm and tranquility. Many years ago a horrible crime was committed from which the dust has never quite settled. With her husband halfway around the world, and while she awaits the birth of her baby, Jade tries to uncover the truth. But who can she trust? In a small town that harbors a dangerous secret one misstep can be fatal!

This exciting page-turner written by Lada Ray will have you guessing who did it from the very beginning. Lada skillfully weaves many surprises into this psychological thriller. Her exquisite scene setting together with compelling dialogue makes Stepford USA a fascinating, if at times nail-biting, read. If you are a cat lover, as I must admit I am, you will very much enjoy the exploits of a certain heroic feline who plays no small part in this book. I highly recommend Stepford USA. Jade Snow is intelligent, warm and witty. Join her as she puts the pieces together and helps release a town from its dark, hidden past.

book review by Jason Sullivan

STEPFORD, USA – A Mystery By Lada Ray – Book Review

Tags

Afghanistan, BOOK: Stepford USA, conspiracy, Jade, Jade Snow, Jade Snow World Adventure Series, Lada Ray, Massachusetts, murder, mystery thriller, prequel, psychological thriller, rape, small town thriller with international twists, Stepford, Stepford Wives, United States

via http://booksreview4u.wordpress.com/ STEPFORD, USA – A Mystery By Lada Ray – Book Review by J.J.Collins

Review by J.J.Collins

This first instalment by Author – Lada Ray introduces us to brilliant investigative journalist – Jade Snow. Jade Snow we learn, is a twenty eight year old all action investigative journalist used to dodging straying bullets in Afghanistan, before a near death experience throws her into the arms of her soon to be husband Paul. What Jade doesn’t realise is that her days of investigative journalism and an all action career are about to come to an abrupt halt when motherhood dawns or is it?

This thriller is set in the sleepy surroundings of Stepford, Massachusetts, a small town community in America that hides a deep dark secret. Jade finds herself in this sleepy town against her wishes following her husband’s insistence on finding her a nice, quiet and calm environment for her to remain fit and well during her pregnancy. Jade Snow we learn is no ordinary young mum to be. It is not long before her inquisitive mind and investigative instincts, lead her onto the trail of a devastating dark hidden secret within the community. A crime so horrendous and brutal, it lives on in the lives and happenings of this sleepy hallow even until the present day.

Jade’s loneliness and love of quality company finds her being introduced, and soon becoming part of the social set-up of this most picturesque of American town’s. The intimate circle of six women Jade would join, unbeknown to her, will transform her time in Stepford from a peaceful relaxing stay into an intriguing web of lies, deceit and mystery. The pursuit of the truth will not only put Jade Snow and the life of her unborn child in grave danger, it will have a profound impact on the lives and community of this most fascinating of small towns for years to come.

This story of a horrific crime, a victim, an accused person and powerful local interests, desperate to keep the truth hidden from the larger world, only makes Jade Snow throw off her restrictive temporary physical shackles and risk all, to unravel the truth. The pursuit of truth among the complex personalities of this town, and an eagerness for someone to keep it hidden at all costs makes the challenge appear impossible.

Stepford USA takes us on a journey with this charming, sharp minded young journalist in a race to reveal the truth before someone else is killed, will Jade succeed? Can she protect herself and the life of her unborn child? Who can she trust? Anyone? Will she manage to discover the facts before it costs someone their life or even her own?

On the face of it, Stepford is a thriving small town community the likes of which are splattered across the American continent however, the deceit and manipulation facing Jade threatens not just people, it threatens the very way of life of this beautiful town. Undeterred, Jade Snow takes us on a gripping, dark psychological adventure, where unrealised talents may be the difference between life and death for Jade and others.

Does the answer to the secret rest within the group of six ladies “Knitting Club”? All women of varying ages and loyalties. We are introduced to Lady Adelaide Paphos, an elegant motherly like lady, who develops a fondness and close bond with Jade during her time in Stepford. Her son Jason who harbours a long held secret. Then a chance lunch time meeting with the power players of the local community that introduces us to the young police chief – Chief Nordini, Judge Bowman, Lawyer Marc Catcham, Banker Peter Burns and the quiet Jack Maloof. These men all with varying interests and knowledge of the comings and goings of the town extend an invitation to the elite Rotary Club to Jade. How will this innocent invitation propel Jade into an even more intricate web of unimagined deceit?

Jade’s investigative journey takes us to a “Hidden Lake”, a chance encounter with a friendly neighbour and his dog, a virtual reality experience and observing one of the married town influencers groping a woman out of sight of others. How does all this relate to the truth? Can it be found and who is watching Jade’s every move?

This page turning thriller is exciting, full of suspicion and possesses excellent character development throughout. It challenges the reader to consider the glaringly obvious and not so obvious, reality and challenge their own perceptions of reality and illusion in the pursuit of destroying the prejudices found in every small town. Will Jade and her soon to be born baby survive the small town experience?

The author has managed to develop a character with a fascinating thoughtful purpose. The brilliant combination of plot, character development and unexpected twists and turns, keeps the reader addicted to the next turned page. Once you start reading this book, you will not put it down such is the perfect pace and flow of words in which the book is written by the author.

Psychological thrillers don’t get much better than this.  Excitingly and yet chillingly gripping, it’s the sort of plot line that surprises you at every turn and absolutely does not let you go.

A highly recommended read for anyone.

via http://booksreview4u.wordpress.com/ STEPFORD, USA – A Mystery By Lada Ray – Book Review by J. J. Collins

Stepford USA

Tags

5 star thriller, Accidental Spy Adventure Series, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, E-book, Jade Snow World Adventure Series, Kindle, murder, mystery thriller, psychological thriller, rape, small town mystery, Smashwords, Stepford Wives, United States

STEPFORD, USA

Sample prologue and chapters 1-4 below!

 

“I enjoyed reading this uplifting book by Ms Ray, filled with intrigue and irresistible characters.” From Amazon review by a reader.

“Very well written and gripping tale that will leave you guessing to the very end! Excellent storytelling!” From Amazon review by a reader.

A small town mystery with psychological twists. Alternative title: Virtual Paradise.

Stepford USA will dazzle you with an array of funny, outlandish and utterly realistic characters. Who committed rape and murder: a corrupt police chief, a crooked politician, a millionaire-nerd, or a womanizing banker? Ladies from the Stepford Knitting Club know it all, except that the town has been hijacked by criminals, posing as pillars of local community. That’s where Jade Snow comes in. A new breed of amateur sleuths and investigative journalist, she’s thoroughly at home in the brave, new, globalized world, but unprepared for one challenge – the dull existence in this sheltered American town. And that’s exactly where she ends up after getting married and pregnant. Aided by a super-intelligent calico cat and a psychoanalyst from New York, Jade’s on a mission to solve baffling mysteries and to turn upside down this sleepy paradise… if she can survive the attraction to an enigmatic convicted rapist, and the encounter with a desperate killer. Enough romance, psychology, mystical happenings, amazing pets, virtual reality and humor to delight fans of six different genres, Stepford, USA is a read to enjoy and remember!

Includes an excerpt from the gripping new thriller GOLD TRAIN, set in Russia. On digital shelves Holiday Season 2011! Paperback – April 2012!

Accidental Spy Adventure #1

Category: novel, mystery/thriller, cozy mystery with a twist, women sleuths, psychic, paranormal, pet lovers, psychological mystery

Word count: 69,000

(Includes an excerpt from the upcoming thriller GOLD TRAIN set in Russia!)

Watch Book Trailer!

Buy STEPFORD USA eBook:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon DE

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Read extensive excerpt (prologue & first 4 chapters) here!

Complete information at http://www.LadaRay.com