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Death Angel, the latest release from award-winning writer Martha Powers, has been named a finalist in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category of the “Best Books 2006” Book Awards. Sponsored by USA Book News, the Best Books 2006 Award covers books from both mainstream and independent presses.

A story seemingly ripped from the headlines, Death Angel is a chilling tale of what happens when a violent crime happens in a small town. Death Angel (Oceanview Publishing, ISBN: 1-933515-03-1) explores an unthinkable, unspeakable crime and the mind of an unconscionable killer.

Recently named a Book Sense Pick for November, Death Angel has garnered strong advance reviews. Library Journal hails Death Angel as “gripping….a true page-turner,” while Publishers Weekly heralds the book as “a gripping mix of a small town police procedural with a snazzy woman-in-jeopardy plot, [which] will remind many of early Mary Higgins Clark and Sandra Browne…this tight suspense novel with its credible characters will keep readers turning the pages.”

According to Roxanne St. Clair, bestselling author of Kill Me Twice, “Like the talisman that fuels the evil and drives the story, Death Angel is irresistible, seductive and spellbinding. Martha Powers has created a complex maze of rich characters, constant suspicion and unexpected twists. Don’t start this one late at night!”

Martha Powers is an award-winning author, sought-after speaker and humorist. She is the author of nine Regency novels and two thrillers published by Simon and Schuster.

Oceanview Publishing is an independent publisher based in Massachusetts. The Oceanview catalogue includes Patricia Gussin’s Shadow of Death, Ward Larsen’s The Perfect Assassin, and the newly-released South Beach Shakedown by Don Bruns and Trash Talk by Bob Gussin. Death Angel is available in better bookstores.

A. My favorite mystery author wasn't writing fast enough. It made me wonder if I could actually write a book.

Q. I can certainly relate to that. When I was a kid I felt the same way about Louis L'Amour. I needed MORE!

A. That validated the fact that I had talent and the ability to complete a book.

A. Mostly I write for a short time midmorning and then I write after dinner until around midnight.

A. I meet my walking partner at the track at 7am. We do two miles. Home for breakfast and general housework. Then I tackle the mail on line and usually do some research. Work until lunch. If I'm not on a tight deadline and the weather is good, I'll play golf with my husband a couple of times a week. Otherwise I run errands and visit with friends. After dinner I work until I'm tired.

A. I work on one story although I may be doing a bit of brainstorming on another story.

A. I interviewed a woman years ago that gave me the general storyline. I don't think I had the maturity as either a person or as a writer to tell the story the way I wanted to until now.

Q. Do you have any marketing tips or writing tips you’d like to share with aspiring writers?

A. Do character studies of the most important people in your novel. The better you get to know them before you put them on paper the better their motivations will be apparent to you. They will be far more three dimensional if you flesh out their backgrounds.

A. DEATH ANGEL is the story of a woman who's child has been killed and her husband is suspected of the murder. She doesn't know who she can trust and in desperation joins forces with the police chief to find the killer. Unfortunately her continual pursuit of the investigation puts her own life in jeopardy.

A. The easiest way to order a signed copy of the book, is to order the book from Amazon and have it sent to me and I'll sign it and send it to you. Or if you have the book and would like a signed bookplate I can send that. In either case you can contact me at mjpowers@aol.com to make arrangements.