Book Title: Tribal Affairs by Matt Dallmann
Category: YA Fiction, 277 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Matt Dallmann
Release date: July 2017
Tour dates: Feb 5 to 23, 2018
Content Rating: G (No bad language or sex)
Book Description:
Dahlia, a centuries-old genie, lies hopelessly trapped in a damaged golden locket charm attached to an ankle bracelet. Its owner, sixteen-year-old Liana, wears it for the first time during her father Jamison’s opening night illusion spectacular. Not only does its presence cause Jamison to folly his performance, but it also starts a chain of bizarre events that lead to a showdown with Dahlia’s mortal enemy, Stefan, and an unsuspecting romance between Liana and his son.
Matt Dallmann has a background in acting and holds a BFA from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. His films and screenplays have been featured at film festivals across the United States including Cinequest, Big Apple Film Festival, Seattle’s True Independent Film Festival, DragonCon and Zero Independent Film Festival. His piano compositions have been published for commercial use and he is a member of ASCAP. Matt is also the Co-Founder and Vice President of the boutique medical billing firm VGA Billing Services, Inc. in New York City. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.Connect with the author: Website ~ Pinerest
They look like us. Act like us. But
they are not human. Created to perform the menial tasks real humans
detest, Synths were designed with only a basic intelligence and
minimal emotional response. It stands to reason that they have no
rights. Like any technology, they are designed for human convenience.
Disposable.
In the city of New Lyons, Detective
Jason Campbell is investigating a vicious crime: a female body found
mutilated and left in the streets. Once the victim is identified as a
Synth, the crime is designated no more than the destruction of
property, and Campbell is pulled from the case.
But when a mysterious stranger
approaches Campbell and asks him to continue his investigation in
secret, Campbell is dragged into a dark world of unimaginable
corruption. One that leaves him questioning the true nature of
humanity.
They look like us. Act like us. But they’re not human. Created in a lab to do the tasks humans can’t be bothered with, synthetics are custom built to serve. But how can you tell if the menial behind the counter, the nanny watching over the children in the park, or the landscaper tending the flowers is one of us… or one of them? Perhaps it’s best to let the marketing department at Walton Biogenics answer that question…
Excerpt taken from a recent Walton Biogenics advertising campaign…
Purpose Built. Each synthetic is designed with care and precision to be perfectly suited to their intended use. Through the application of extensive, patented genetic technology, we at Walton Biogenics have sculpted your new synthetic to the tightest specifications for the task at hand. Laborers boast a significantly higher degree of muscle fibers; undercity workers conform to physical standards compatible with the tight quarters they must negotiate, and domestics bring a balance of pleasing aesthetics and readiness to serve in any way you see fit.
Works of Art. At Walton Biogenics, we believe that a synthetic should be more than just a tool. Aesthetics matter, and while form may follow function, we strive to make every synthetic a work of art. Our dedicated focus to bilateral symmetry, classic lines, and appealing curves will ensure that your investment in one of our synthetics will not only get the job done, but will keep a smile on your face for years to come.
The Finest Programming. We don’t just grow synthetics and ship them out the door. When you purchase a Walton Biogenics synthetic, you can be sure that, in addition to being designed from the ground up to meet your needs, they have undergone extensive training and programming, so that they can handle any task within their design specifications. But more than that, we make sure that every synthetic is capable of even more. Whatever model you choose, they’ll come standard with a suite of skills guaranteed to cover your basic needs – and even some more exotic ones!
The Walton Biogenics Promise. In modern times, it seems like nothing is built to last. Walton Biogenics is here to change that. Our synthetics are guaranteed to work, period. If you experience any problems or performance issues, simply take your synthetic to any one of our convenient service centers and you’ll be provided a replacement, free of charge, with no questions asked. That’s our promise.
*Note: Offer excludes products intentionally damaged by the purchaser.
J.T. Nicholas was born in
Lexington, Virginia, though within six months he moved (or was moved,
rather) to Stuttgart, Germany. Thus began the long journey of the
military brat, hopping from state to state and country to country
until, at present, he has accumulated nearly thirty relocations. This
experience taught him that, regardless of where one found oneself,
people were largely the same. When not writing, Nick spends his time
practicing a variety of martial arts, playing games (video, tabletop,
and otherwise), and reading everything he can get his hands on. Nick
currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, a pair of
indifferent cats, a neurotic Papillion, and an Australian Shepherd
who (rightly) believes he is in charge of the day-to-day affairs.
When Tess Tremaine starts a new life in the colorful town of Goose Pimple
Junction, curiosity leads her to look into a seventy-five-year-old
murder. Suddenly she’s learning the foreign language of southern
speak, resisting her attraction to local celebrity Jackson Wright,
and dealing with more mayhem than she can handle.
A bank robbery, murder, and family tragedy from the 1930s are pieces of
the mystery that Tess attempts to solve. As she gets close to the
truth, she encounters danger, mystery, a lot of southern charm, and a
new temptation for which she’s not sure she’s ready.
Goose Pimple Junction is just recovering from a kidnapping and a murder,
its first major crimes in years, when trouble begins anew. Life is
turned upside down in the quirky little southern town with the
arrival of several shifty hooligans: A philandering husband intent on
getting his wife back, another murderer loose in town, a stalker
intent on frightening Martha Maye, and a thief who’s stealing the
town blind of their pumpkins, pies, and peace. Together, they’re
scaring the living daylights out of the residents and keeping the new
police chief busier than a set of jumper cables at a redneck picnic.
Suddenly, he has his hands full trying to apprehend a killer, stop a
stalker, and fight his feelings for the damsel in distress.
This is not your average Southern town. With a hint of mystery and a lot
of laughs, you’ll catch a glimpse of everyday life in Goose Pimple
Junction in this short story compilation. Five short stories, one
novella, and three recipes will give you more of the unique charm of
Goose Pimple Junction, make you laugh, and have your mouth watering.
If you want a feel-good read, you’ve come to the right place. Grab
some sweet tea and escape to Goose Pimple Junction.
Sweet Southern belle Caledonia Culpepper and hit woman in training Wynona
Baxter come up against crooked lawyers, restless husbands, a teenage
hoodlum . . . it seems there are rogues and rascals everywhere you
look in Goose Pimple Junction. When their paths cross, they prove
there isn’t a rogue or a rascal who can keep a good woman down. Mama
always said there’d be days like this . . .
What is something unique/quirky about you? As an introverted introvert, I hate crowds, so I grocery shop after 10:00 pm. The only time I hate doing that is in the winter when it’s really cold.
Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!
Last April, I had brain surgery–twice. I’d had headaches for about two weeks that turned out to be blood clots completely filling my venous sinus cavity and cutting off the blood vessels. I had emergency surgery, then proceeded to have two strokes and another surgery. I had about a month of rehab and family babying me, and about six-seven months of recuperation. I could do with a less interesting year.
What are some of your pet peeves? Oh, there are so many. Mean people; People who tell me they’ve been meaning to read my book, but . . . ; Tailgaters, and I don’t mean the football fan kind; Wintertime; Misuse of the words “me” and “I”; Confusion of the words “to,” “two,” and “too;” Misusage of “your” and you’re;” When people put two spaces after a period; Calories; Critical people; Pessimistic people . . . man, I could be here all day . . .
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Owensboro, Kentucky but moved to Louisville just before first grade. I’ve lived in Louisville pretty much ever since then, except for four years of college and two years after that. But always in Kentucky.
Who is your hero and why?
My hero is Tom because he is always there for me and would do anything for me. You don’t find that often. And he found the Indiana Popcorn that I like so much and is so hard to find.
What are you passionate about these days?
My kids. Tom. Politics.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
Netflix and needlepoint! I’m addicted to the two. And they must be done together.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? I started writing in 2009, but I don’t think I called myself a writer until after my first book was published in 2012.
Do you have a favorite movie?
Princess Bride.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
All of them! I have had readers tell me they would love to see the GPJ books in movie form, and recently I even had a man tell me that in an email (it’s usually women). Some think the books would be perfect for the Hallmark channel. Hallmark, are you listening?
Amy Metz is the author of the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. She
is a former first grade teacher and the mother of two sons. When not
writing, enjoying her family, or surfing Pinterest, Amy can usually
be found with a mixing spoon, camera, or book in one hand and a glass
of sweet tea in the other. Amy lives in Louisville, Kentucky and
loves a good Southern phrase.
411 on Books, Authors & Publishing 