Greg Messel ~ Day 16 of 365 Days of Great Authors and Giveaways!

Who is Greg Messel?

Greg Messel has written three novels and three unpublished memoirs. He published his premiere novel “Sunbreaks” in 2009, followed by “Expiation” in 2010 and “The Illusion of Certainty” in 2011. Greg has had a newspaper career as a columnist, sportswriter and news editor. He won a Wyoming Press Association Award as a columnist. Greg also spent many years in the corporate world as a Financial Manager. He now devotes his energies to writing at his home in Edmonds, Washington on the Puget Sound just north of Seattle, where he lives with his wife, Carol.

You can visit his website, connect with Greg on Twitter or Facebook.

1) What genres are your favorites to read? How about to write in?

I like mysteries but not serial killer stuff. I think that has been way overdone. I read a lot of non fiction and especially love biographies. I just finished a new book called “The List” about Jewish families in London right after the war trying to locate their family members. Great book. As far as writing, I have written three historical romance books. I think the most interesting challenge faced by most humans is in relationships. It’s a miracle that we fall in love and find happiness. I am currently writing a mystery set in 1957 in San Francisco that I’m really excited about.

2) Who is one of your favorite characters that you have written? Please tell us about him/her and what book they are in. 

Truthfully, I’m most interested in the main character, Sam Slater, the detective in the book I’m writing now. I guess that’s how writers are. I’m most interested in the world I’m creating now. However, I do really like Alex in “The Illusion of Certainty.” Alex is a woman, a young attorney, who is trying to work out her life and overcome a crushing loss. I think most of the readers of “The Illusion of Certainty” are really rooting for Alex.

3) For those who have not read your work yet, what book would you recommend starting with? 

I’m very fond of my second book “Expiation” which is the story of long lost love. However, I would recommend starting with my third book, “The Illusion of Certainty.”

4) Where can readers find and connect with you on the web? 

I’m on Facebook and Twitter every day. You can always contact me on my blog at www.gregmessel.com

5) What is one thing that you could not live without?

I know I should say my wife and that’s true. However, I’m addicted to my iPhone. It makes my life happen. I constantly listen to all my music, check the traffic in Seattle, watch the stock market, keep up on my e mail, Twitter and Facebook and take pictures. On airplane trips I watch movies or read books. How does it get better than that?


Book Spotlight:

The Illusion of Certainty follows two parallel storylines. Marc is a successful businessman who seems to have everything—a great job, a beautiful wife, a house in an upscale neighborhood of Portland, Oregon and two great kids who are preparing for college. But something is not right. Marc is unsettled by the sudden change in his wife, Aimee, who seems distant and unhappy. What’s going on with her?

The second storyline involves a successful young attorney, Alexandra Mattson. Alex, as she is called by her friends, meets a handsome young cop, Sean, during an unexpected crisis in her neighborhood. Sean and Alex seem made for each other and begin to merge their futures in a world of uncertainty.

The only certainty in life is that we will face uncertainty. Despite all fo the technology and controls available in the modern world, sometimes the only comfort comes from the human touch.

Excerpt:

The naked woman stood motionless, leaning against the wall of the
shower and letting the hot water strike the top of her head and cascade
down her back. She placed her hands flat against the tiled shower wall and
leaned forward and closed her eyes. The warm water soothed her exhausted
body and she felt enveloped in its comforting caress.
She felt safe and was now pampering herself after a grueling night shift
at the hospital where she was a nurse. A nurse with considerable responsibilities.
Aimee Hunt-Wilson had enough experience and clout to avoid these
awful shifts but as a supervisor she was on a mission this summer. She had
been working nights most of the summer to try to rehabilitate the night shift,
which was in disarray. Someone needed to repair the damage brought on by
an incompetent supervisor who was now gone. Aimee was trying to shape
things up. It’s what Aimee did best; however, it was taking a toll on her.
Marc Wilson was having his first moments of consciousness on this
Tuesday morning. He slept alone. That was happening more and more these
days. From the bed he could see Aimee, his wife, through the clear glass
box that was the shower in their master suite. The only light filtering into the
bedroom and casting a soft light on Marc’s bed was the light from Aimee’s
shower.
He leaned up on his elbow and gazed through the steam at the nude
Aimee. He was getting aroused. Marc still loved his wife’s body. Lately,
when he saw her, she was always hidden in the baggy scrubs she wore at
the hospital. Her long black hair was plastered to her wet bare back by the
shower water. Aimee always tanned so well. At this point in the summer she
had a perfect swimsuit tan. Her body had matured but it had actually gotten
better since the college days when they first met.
Her breasts and hips were fuller now but the rest of Aimee’s body was
taunt and lean. She was about 5-5, probably in the best shape of her life. Aimee
obsessively exercised and carefully monitored her diet. After her shower she
would come to bed to rest and then be pounding the pavement this afternoon
running, getting in her miles. Aimee had always been so meticulous about
what she ate and she imposed the same standards on Marc.
Marc’s favorite meal, a burger and fries, was considered in the same
category as rat poison by Aimee. If Marc went through a fast food window
to sneak a burger, he felt compelled to hide the evidence from Aimee.
But all of this vigilance certainly paid off in the way Aimee looked. This
mother of two, with a manic schedule, looked terrific as she approached
Illusion of Certainty
middle age. Her long dark hair, which was naturally curly, was a stunning
combination with her bright blue eyes.
Marc now lay in the early morning light watching Aimee step from the
shower, all pink and soft, as she began to towel off. She then plugged in
her hair dryer, bent over and began to dry her long hair. As he observed her
maneuvers to dry her hair, he was taking in the sight of her bouncing breasts
and lovely body. Marc knew that when she finished, she would quickly
throw on one of his oversized t-shirts and jump under the covers—just as it
was time for Marc to get out of bed and begin his day.
Marc rolled out of bed and attempted to head her off before she dressed
and made it to the bed. He was hoping that somehow he could have her,
that he could enjoy the physical pleasures of his sexy wife. This had not
been planned but the moment was presenting itself and he wanted her. Marc
hoped Aimee would want the intimacy, too.
Aimee slipped on some bright blue bikini panties just as Marc stood in
front of her and said, “Hey you’re really looking sexy this morning.”
“Oh Marc, I’m so exhausted, you seem to have the world’s worst
timing.”
“Oh come on Aimee, wouldn’t it be fun?”
“Trust me Marc, it wouldn’t be fun right now. I just need some sleep.”
“So when, in this whole summer, would you suggest I make love to
you?”
“Marc,” Aimee said with resignation, “I’m begging you to not start right
now.”

Giveaway!

Greg Messel is offering readers a chance to win 1 of 2 print copies of his wonderful book The Illusion of Certainty!  US Addresses only please.  To enter please fill in the Rafflecopter form below.  Contest ends Midnight, January 21st!

Good Luck, Everyone!

*This edition of 365 Days of Great Authors and Giveaways is also part of Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Tour stop!

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