BLOOD/CRIMSON Blog Tour! @OverbeckRandy @4WillsPub @4WP11 @RRBC_Org
Welcome to Day 3 of the BLOOD/CRIMSON Blog Tour! @OverbeckRandy @4WillsPub @4WP11 @RRBC_Org
It is my great pleasure to have Randy Overbeck on my blog today to share with you about his books. In appreciation to your visit, there are two giveaways. Please leave your comment and indicate your choice to enter into the drawing.
(1) e-book copy of BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE or CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (Winner’s choice)
(1) $10 Amazon gift card
So, You Need an Escape
Right about now—ten long months into this pandemic, still not able to do much—could you use a getaway? The vaccine is coming to you and yours soon—we hope—but in the meantime could you use a getaway? Couldn’t you just picture yourself on an sun-drenched beach, toes in the warm sand and a frosty drink on your hand? Or maybe sailing across blue green waters, waves lapping peacefully at the sides of your sailboat with the shoreline around you exploding with color?
I’m right there with you.
That’s why, when I decided to write my new series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, I decided to set each story in a great getaway location. But not just any getaway. I mean, everyone knows about places like Hilton Head or Malibu or Daytona Beach. For my stories, I was searching for unique, unforgettable locations that I could introduce readers to, places that would leave a lasting impression.
![Blood on the Chesapeake: A Cold Case Murder Mystery, A Ghost Story, A Dangerous Love (The Haunted Shores Mysteries Book 1) by [Randy Overbeck]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vQzORzbyL._SY346_.jpg)
For me, my first choice was obvious since it’s been a favorite destination of ours for years. The setting for BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE is, well, the Chesapeake Bay. Or to be more precise, the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, which I believe is one of the undiscovered gems in the country. Thousands of miles of undulating shoreline, some of the best seafood you’ll ever eat, and sunsets over the water that would melt your sheltered, hardened heart. Not to mention the scene of variegated foliage covering she shores that can match even peak autumn in New Hampshire. If you close your eyes, you might be able to picture yourself in the middle of the Bay aboard a two-masted sailboat, rocking gently on the waters. Or you could just let my novel take you there.
Here’s a brief excerpt from BLOOD.
A few stray clouds chased each other across an azure sky which turned the water to an aquamarine. A light breeze filled the two white and gold sails and stirred the water, creating only small waves which rocked the sloop gently. Across the horizon, a few white sails punctured the beautiful blue that wrapped around them. Gusts of wind filled the two triangle sails and flapped the four-square Maryland flag at the rear. Along the rock-strewn shoreline, charming Cap Cods with Adirondack chairs in front competed with two-story Colonials wearing their white clapboard siding and green sloped roofs like their Sunday best.
Don’t you wish you were standing on the deck of that sailboat right now? Well, you can almost.
![Crimson at Cape May (The Haunted Shores Mysteries Book 2) by [Randy Overbeck]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51McCj7zcsL._SY346_.jpg)
For the second entry in my series, I went for something quite different, but just as intriguing in its own way. CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY is set in a quintessential resort town, with expansive white sand beaches for the sun-worshipper, a famous getaway for more than 150 years. With over a hundred unique Victorian houses and mansions—think “the painted ladies”—lining the shore and filling the streets of this quant town and you have a setting and a sight unmatched anywhere in the U.S. And, the fact that the town is the most haunted seaport on the Eastern Seacoast made it a no-brainer for the setting for my second narrative.
A few pages into this novel and I promise you’ll forget the present doldrums of Covid-19 and find yourself in another place and time, one you’ll enjoy.
Here’s just a sample.
They crossed at the light, and Darrell took in the sight ahead of them—a near perfect, expansive sandy beach edged by crystal blue water that seemed to stretch on forever, merging with a perfect azure sky. Smudges of white dotted the heavenly canvas, and small curls of white-topped breakers were sprinkled along the waters farther out. Quiet waves gurgled up upon the sand before leaking back into the watery expanse. Throw in the meticulous architecture of all those Victorian mansions and B & B’s and you have resort few places could match.
Of course, my novels are far more than mere escape reads. Both include a cold-case murder mystery, a haunting ghost story and a bit of romance, all with some unforgettable characters.
Perhaps, one of the Amazon reviewers put it best:
“Was your vacation canceled this year? I know ours was put on the back burner, but I can recommend a great get-away that won’t cost much. Read the book Blood on the Chesapeake: A Cold Case Murder Mystery. It’s a vacation to a beautiful seashore with characters you’ll love and some you’ll hate. Of course, everyone wants a vacation with a happy ending, and I won’t spoil the book for you, but you’ll smile about the ending after you put it down.”—Tami A, an Amazon reviewer

AUTHOR BIO
Dr. Randy Overbeck is a veteran educator who has served children as a teacher and school leader. For more than three decades, his educational experiences have included responsibilities ranging from coach and yearbook advisor to principal and superintendent and he’s lived the roles of many of the characters in his stories. An accomplished writer, he has been published in trade journals, professional texts and newspapers as well as in fiction, with his third published novel. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things That Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Twitter: @OverbeckRandy
Facebook: Author Randy Overbeck
Website: http://www.authorrandyoverbeck.com
PURCHASE LINKS
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crimson-at-cape-may-randy-overbeck/1137088608?ean=9781509231638
https://www.bookbub.com/books/crimson-at-cape-may-by-randy-overbeck
BOOK TRAILER LINK
To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the authors’ tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE. Thanks for supporting this author and his work!
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Hi Miriam, I have been reading about Dr. Randy Overbeck, his amazing background and his intriguing books. Randy has obviously done a great deal of research for this series. I have added the first book, “Blood on the Chesapeake” to my reading list. Thank you for hosting Randy on your blog.
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Thanks for reminding me about this series Miriam. I bought the first book back in October and forgot about it. I am going to add it to my April mystery reads.
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That’s great, Carla. Randy will be pleased to hear that. Also, I joined the Children’s Book Network on https://booktrib.com/childrens-books. Starting from this month, they will send me a box of books for ages 3 to 12 every month for me to read, review, and post the reviews to support the children’s books authors.
I just pass this on in case you’re interested.
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Thanks Miriam. I am going to check it out and see if they will send books to Canada. That is my biggest problem with many publishers.
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You’re welcome, Carla. I got the impression that they are eBooks. There are many members in the children’s cohort. I may join another cohort for nonfiction later.
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I am going to spend some time checking them out.
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Good to hear you’d give it a try. I thought of you once I signed up.
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Please let me know what you think of BLOOD when you can. I can always use more reviews.
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I will definitely leave reviews when I finish it, Randy.
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Thank you for hosting, Miriam. I enjoyed meeting Randy and reading the excerpt. Another wonderful writer to follow! Thank you. 💗
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You’re welcome, Gwen. Thank you for stopping by. 💖
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Miriam, Thanks so much for hosting my piece.
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It’s my pleasure, Randy!
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I like the photos on the page and the ones I now have in my find, Randy. Thanks for hosting Miriam, so lovely.
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My pleasure, Rox, thank you for your visit.
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Great descriptions, Randy, I was reaching for the sunscreen!
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Wendy, I promise you’ll enjoy the whole book that much more.
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Wonderful excerpt! Congrats and best wishes on your tour, Randy! Sharing…
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Glad you enjoyed the segments! I think you’d enjoy the rest as well.
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Thank you, Bette!
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Great excerpts, Randy 🙂 I definitely missed all my vacations and agree books are the next best thing. I added Crimson at Cape May to my TBR list.
Thanks for hosting, Miriam.
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I missed my travel also, Denise! Books and photos from my archives keep my virtual travel alive. Thank you for your reading and comment. 🙂
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D.L. I’d love to hear what you think after you read CRIMSON.
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Hi Miriam, Hi Randy,
Randy, i am new to your books but look forward to reading them. Nice idea to write books that introduce beautiful locations in the USA that are not so well known. I wish you all the best.
Miriam, thank you for co-hosting.
Shalom aleichem
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I agree with you, Pat. Thank you for your visit and comment.
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Pat,
Not only did I select great locations, I also worked hard to represent them faithfully. I even worked with merchants and Chamber offices in both locations to get the details right.
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Thanks for introducing Randy and his books to me, Miriam. 🙂 Great blurbs and snippet. Congrats to Randy on his tour!
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Thank you for reading and comment, Diana! 🙂
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D. Wallace, I appreciate your welcome.
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Thank you for your visit and comment, Diana!
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I do like the nautical theme of Randy’s writing and I’ve spent some time in this area so that’s appealing. Thanks for sharing these.
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You’re welcome. You have a book on that theme, Jacqui!
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If you decide to read either book, I’d love to know your take on how well I captured the area. I worked hard at it.
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Thanks for hosting this post Miriam. Another great post Randy with some interesting excerpts and a great review. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Robert. My pleasure for hosting Randy. 🙂
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Thanks for following me.
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You’re welcome, Robert.
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What a wonderful review, Randy! I used to live in Newport News, VA, and I’ve been to Virginia Beach, but I was much younger and don’t remember every staying on the Chesapeake. My annual road trip was cancelled last year, so I’m all up for an imaginary one. 😉 Thanks for hosting, Miriam. 🙂
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I’ve lived in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth, Virginia!
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Wow, that’s wonderful, Liz. You can relate to the book. We watched a Netflix movie based on a true story in England. Whenever it mentioned a location, my husband said, “I was there… I’ve lived there.” How interesting!
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Yes, I was immediately drawn to the books because of the setting. It is a lot of fun to read books set in places I’ve lived.
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I can imagine that, Liz. In fact, I looked at the map of Hong Kong 2 days ago to look at my childhood surrounding.
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You’re welcome, Yvette. Thank you for reading and comment. 🙂
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Yvette,
I love both these places and couldn’t resist setting my stories in these beautiful resort locations. And I had to travel a few times for research. I had to.
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I’m sure you did. For research, of course! 😉
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Hi Miriam, It’s lovely to meet Randy and learn about this book. I hadn’t hear of Chesapeake and it sounds beautiful. A great extract too. Have a great weekend, Miriam.
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Randy and his books are new to me also, Robbie.
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How are you, Robbie? I heard of the news about the new variants of Covid in SA.
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Hi, Robbie. The Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay appear in Telling Sonny when Faby and Louis take the ferry from Cape Charles to Norfolk. Of course, Faby didn’t know it was the Chesapeake Bay!
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Ah, I don’t know the US very well, Liz, so I appreciated your depictions of the scenery, but can’t work out the geography that well in my head.
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My own knowledge of US geography is pretty spotty and mostly limited to the Eastern Seaboard.
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I only know some major cities.
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I do know where most of the states are and a number of the major cities.
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I remember riding in someone’s car from Oregon to Indiana, many states are flat and could see the roads going forever. I think I like California with mountains and river and ocean.
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That’s great, Liz. You had stories in your book happened in those locations.
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🙂
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Chesapeake Bay is beautiful any time, but the fall is our favorite season. The colors are just remarkable. We hope to be able to return this October–if the pandemic lets us.
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We are all holding thumbs, Randy. It sounds really lovely.
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Randy is happy to see all the thumbs.
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I really appreciate all the comments and thumbs up. I hope you find the full novels live up to your expectations. I look forward to hearing what you think. I’ve heard from some readers in Europe but none from SA.
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Robbie is the only one from SA whom I interact with on a regular basis. She is a huge supporter of the indie authors and the blogging community.
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Nice exciting review!
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Thank you for your visit!
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Thanks. I’ve been fortunate that CRIMSON has garnered some really great reviews including several 5 Star reviews!
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I never understood the blood portion but the review was so refreshing, I felt I was waking up at sea without having to wear a mask.
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The blood in the title is a stand in for the killing, in this case the beating and lynching of the black student.
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Got it!
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You definitely nailed it in this blog post, Randy! The need to have a getaway is strong. I have itchy feet for sure. Your setting for “Blood on the Chesapeake” was great for an escape from the restrictions of life right now. I look forward to diving into “Crimson at Cape May!” Thank you for sharing and thank you for hosting, Miriam!
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Thanks again for your great review.
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Thank you for your visit and comment, Jan.
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Miriam, I’ve been so busy reading replying to the comments, I neglected to say thank you for hosting me on your blog. I appreciate every effort to spread the word.
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No worries, Randy. You did thank me. I’m thrilled you had so many comments and kept you busy responding. Best wishes on the book sales.
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