The PIGTAILED HEART - 1940s LA noir

[kayakruthie]

On the gritty mean streets of 1940s Los Angeles, investigator Jack Clayton has few illusions—he knows all about LA corruption.  Yet when the infamously feisty defense lawyer Jerry Giesler asks him to find witnesses for Hollywood’s latest sensational murder trial, he tumbles into a web of gambling, corruption, and international espionage, and into the arms of  a siren so dangerous she could set off the whole powder keg.

Based on a true criminal trial, and years of research, this sweeping, rip-roaring saga lives and breathes the hardscrabble times of pre-war Los Angeles: glamor, gambling, political corruption, and the explosive appetites of a thriving young megalopolis.  



Hope you enjoy!

[Carol Hanrahan]

Sounds intriguing!  Downloaded the sample!

[Ann in Arlington]

Welcome to KindleBoards, Ruth, and congratulations on your book! 

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[kayakruthie]

Thank you, Carol.  I have to go make some popcorn, and get ready for "Boardwalk Empire".

[davinci]

After I watched Boardwalk Empire last night, I hopped online and bought a copy of your book.  What an opening!  Now that's a prologue--babes, glamor, Hollywood, sex, violence.  You establish character, mood, place, time period, action, and suspense all in one gripping scene.  Can't wait to read the rest.

[kayakruthie]

Thanks, DaVinci, I hope you enjoy it.  I though Boardwalk Empire was pretty great.  Once the storylines get going, I think it'll be more suspenseful and dynamic.  The writers seemed to have worked too hard to "explain" everything up front.  Like the bit about Nucky's wife.  Should've come much later.  But the setting, direction, costumes, and setup were great. 

[tomthompson]

Saw you have another one out, so I had to pick it up.  What a prologue!  Ellroy might have some competition.

[kayakruthie]

Ellroy!  Wow!  Thanks for the compliment.

[bobavey]

Hello, Ruth. I just backed your book on authonomy.

[tomthompson]

What's authonomy?

[kayakruthie]

Thank you, Bob.  I started yours and am loving it.

Tom, authonomy.com is an online writers' community where writers upload their books, and comment on each other's work.  Ostensibly, the object of the site is to get enough endorsements to reach the top five, and then get a read from an editor at Harper Collins.  But few take that ambition seriously.  It is a place to get some good criticism of your work, helpful hints about publishing opportunities, and an environment of camaraderie.  I've been astonished at how good some of the writing is, and I've made some good friends.  Everyone for the most part is very supportive.

[KindleChickie]

Just bought your book and put it in queue to be read.  There was a time in high school when I was obsessed with 40s noir and Hollywood to the point I rocked the seamed stockings, pencil skirts and retro pumps.   

[kayakruthie]

KindleChickie, I was obsessed, too.  I took all of my mother's old Vogue patterns, and sewed my college wardrobe.  No doubt I looked a bit strange walking across campus.  Now I just wear a fedora.

Thanks for the purchase.

[davinci]

Had to tell you I really liked this.  I felt like I was living in the period, all that great noir stuff.  You kind of left it open at the end for a sequel.  Are you going to make Jack Clayton a series?  Like Easy Rawlings?

[kayakruthie]

Thank you, DaVinci.  Today we're featured on The Frugal Kindle.  Thank you Elizabeth.  You are the best!

http://thefrugalkindle.blogspot.com/

[KindleChickie]

KindleChickie, I was obsessed, too.  I took all of my mother's old Vogue patterns, and sewed my college wardrobe.  No doubt I looked a bit strange walking across campus.  Now I just wear a fedora.

Thanks for the purchase.

Hey those seamed stockings helped me pass biology!  My teacher loved them.  LOL

[kayakruthie]

KindleChickie, I never understood why fellas found seamed stockings sexy.  I wonder why they haven't made a comeback.  Too subtle for today's market?

[kayakruthie]

We're featured today in Historical Novel Review.

http://historicalnovelreview.blogspot.com/

Thank you Gemi for such a wonderful write-up, and for all your support of Kindle writers. 

[N. Gemini Sasson]

We're featured today in Historical Novel Review.

http://historicalnovelreview.blogspot.com/

Thank you Gemi for such a wonderful write-up, and for all your support of Kindle writers. 

My pleasure, Ruth.  It was very easy to immerse myself in the book.  I could've easily finished it in two days if the family hadn't kept clamoring for dinner - attention-hogs  . 

[Mel Comley]

Hi Ruth,

Another great book, thanks for leading me to the site.

I've tagged your books.

Melx

[kayakruthie]

Thank you, Mel.  I've gotten all my shoebox novels up on Kindle now.  So I guess it's time to start something fresh.  That'll be a relief I think.  All the best!!

[KindleChickie]

Thanks for bumping this thread.  I just finished Draculas and was wondering what to start next when I saw this thread.  Bought this book a bit ago and I will start it today.

[kayakruthie]

Thank you, KindleChickie.  It has turned a number of readers on to California history, which is really a lot of fun for me.  I love history, and to make it come alive for people, well, it doesn't get any better than that.

[kayakruthie]

We're up on Nook now.  No reviews yet.  For that you'll still have to go to Amazon.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?ean=2940012705297

[kayakruthie]

We're featured today on The Indie Spotlight:

http://www.theindiespotlight.com/

Thank you, Greg.  You are a champion for writers and independent thought.

[kayakruthie]

Today Scott Nicholson is featuring "The Pigtailed Heart" on The Indie Books Blog.  Scott is back from a marathon three-month blog tour.  Congratulations, Scott, you're a real inspiration.

http://indiebooksblog.blogspot.com/

[SteveMalley]

Hey, found your thread while searching for other Noir authors, and all that talk about seamed stockings made me go weak at the knees. ;-p After that, I just *had* to buy your book...

Can't wait to read it!

[SteveMalley]

Long as I'm in the neighborhood, I suppose I should mention that for the next two weeks I'm giving away one of my thrillers, absolutely FREE! Poison Door is modern-day Noir with two strong female protagonists, intelligent and full of action.

Details are on my website: http://stevemalley.com

[kayakruthie]

Thanks, Steve.  I'm a huge fan of noir, too.  And seamed stockings, well . . . there has to be a revival for sure.

[Misha Crews]

Ooooh, I LOVE 1940s Hollywood!  Can't wait to read your book! 

[kayakruthie]

Thanks, Misha.  I hope you enjoy it.  I spent years researching it, so there are some rare tidbits for the Hollywood noir crowd.

[kayakruthie]

The second season of Boardwalk Empire is over, but you can get your flapper fix with "The Pigtailed Heart".  Can you believe they killed off Jimmy?  How can they do that?