T's Stuff: 1886: Ties That Bind by AE Wasserman

1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: November 8, 2016

Archway Publishing

Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 370 Pages

Series: Langford Series, Book #2

Genre: Fiction/Historical

READ AN EXCERPT.

It is 1886 as Englishman Lord Langsford travels by train to San Francisco. Newly widowed, Langsford is desperate to escape his grief, demons, and life in England. As Langsford completes the last leg of his transcontinental journey, his life unexpectedly changes once again when he crosses paths with Miss Sally Baxter, a beautiful rancher who packs a pistol in her purse.

Sally has made it her mission to find the men who robbed a train and killed her brother. Unfortunately, no one—not even the owners of the Southern Pacific Railroad—seem to care. Unable to resist her pleas, Langsford offers to help Sally and soon becomes entangled in a web of politics, corruption, and greed. As murder, threats, and attacks ensue that endanger both Sally and Langsford, influential men in both California and Washington, D.C. jockey for positions of power. Langsford, who finds himself oddly attracted to Sally, now must sort through criminals and politicians alike to discover the truth behind her brother’s death and prevent his own murder.

“Not only is this a fast-paced historical mystery, 1886 Ties That Bind offers commentary on the political and social issues that are still relevant today.” – Helga Schier, PhD, author and founder of With Pen and Paper

"Wasserman’s writing is atmospherically rich. Very strongly recommended." – Historical Novel Society, London, critical review of 1884 No Boundaries

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About the Author

The daughter of a newspaperman, A.E. Wasserman grew up in a household filled with books and stories. At age 14, she wrote her first novella and never stopped writing.

She is the author of a new mystery/thrillers series, the first of which takes place in London: 1884 No Boundaries, A Story of Espionage and International Intrigue. The second in the Langsford Series, 1886 Ties That Bind, A Story of Politics, Graft and Greed, has just been released.

Her work, critically acclaimed as “richly atmospheric,” is being noticed by readers and critics alike, and has garnered international attention, not only in the U.S., but Europe and the U.K. as well. She recently received top honors from Writer’s Digest for her work.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, she lived in London, then San Francisco. Currently she resides in Southern California with her family and her muse, a Border Collie named Topper.

For more information, please Visit the author’s web site at www.aewasserman.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Interview with AE Wasserman

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

That’s a great question, because my characters do have a mind of their own. I wouldn’t say that my protagonist, Lord Langsford, hijacks the story as much as he often figures his way out of jams quicker than I. He’s smarter, for one thing. One example, I had no idea how he was going to handle Scotland Yard’s Commissioner when he was trying to get the man to say yes, but as I was typing, Langsford was brilliant, arguing his case well and getting exactly what he wanted.

Langsford astounds me—how he finds the bad guys. Well, his mind works overtime.

That said, he never takes the reins out of my hands. As the author, I maintain control, but he is able to add the details that I could never have predicted ahead of time. I let him have freedom on the page.

Seriously, as a writer, I only plan and plot so much. The characters in my book are more organic when I allow them to develop and act within their own personalities and impulses. I am constantly amazed and amused by how this works.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

1886 Ties That Bind, A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed is a fast-paced historical mystery/thriller that begins with what appears to be a simple murder, but is far from it.

Englishman Lord Langsford visits San Francisco and meets an American ranch girl, Sally Baxter, who packs a pistol in her purse. Her brother has been murdered and Langsford finds himself helping her look for the killer. In order succeed, he must crack open the hidden political and economic agendas of wealthy men who wield great power and control Congress. Langsford discovers it is neither simple nor safe to untangle their intricately woven net of intrigue to find the killer.

When I began researching for this novel, I had little idea how much well-documented graft and greed I would discover. My research for the story gave me an insightful perspective on political and social issues that are still relevant today.

Relevant, then and now—how the people in government and business interact is still the same. There truly is nothing new under the sun. Power and Money. Murder.

Oh, and of course—I still included the boy-meets-girl theme. That’s a must and a truth no matter what the era.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

Thanks for asking. You bet I do. Another novella is with the editor right now, and the draft of the next major novel, 1888 The Dead & The Desperate is almost complete.

There are two other Langsford’s books already out: 1884 No Boundaries, A Story of Espionage and International Intrigue, and 1885 Crossings.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Heck, I write with whatever I have handy. I’m not always with my laptop with an idea strikes. I have notebooks in the glove compartment of the car, post-its in my purse. I’ll scribble on a napkin. If there’s an idea, a turn of phrase that strikes me, a plot twist that pops in my head, I need to capture it right then and there. Even with crayon and toilet paper.

However, the majority of my writing is done on my laptop, but I’m not opposed to lined legal pads and pencils, either.

I edit both online and on hardcopy. What I’ve found interesting is that I notice different things when reading either ways. Someone told me new studies show that eye movements are different with each manner of reading and I believe that. I will read through my work on the laptop, but then I print it out and read again, and “find” other places to edit. Fascinating how different it is—even my reading rhythm alters when I read in either mode. Perhaps it’s because I originally read everything on paper/hardcopy. The younger generation now growing up with cell phones and iPads may never use paper for reading and writing.

Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Yes, two things:

Read and enjoy. That’s why I write. I wrote the last book that came out recently, 1885 Crossings, because readers asked what happened to two characters in the original book of the Langsford Series. So I wrote this “spin-off” novella for them.

Please Note: Yes, I’ve written a series, but the story lines do not cross. The books are a series, but not a serial. All have Lord Langsford, Tom Pelham, and of course a Border Collie in each of them, but other than that, they stand alone.

Readers will find themselves in London in 1884 No Boundaries (which deals with terrorism and espionage.) In this novel, 1886 Ties That Bind, they’ll be in San Francisco for a taste of love and American politics. The novella, 1885 Crossings . . . well, if I tell you where that one is, it might be a spoiler, but love and situational ethics abound.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, February 27
Feature at Passages to the Past

Saturday, March 3
Excerpt at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Sunday, March 4
Interview at T's Stuff

Wednesday, March 7
Excerpt at Let Them Read Books

Friday, March 9
Feature at What Is That Book About

Monday, March 12
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, March 15
Review at Locks, Hooks, and Books

Tuesday, March 20
Review at Teaser Addicts Book Blog

Thursday, March 22
Review at Impressions in Ink

Friday, March 23
Excerpt at A Literary Vacation

Friday, April 6
Interview at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of 1886 Ties That Bind by A.E. Wasserman! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

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