Deal Sharing Aunt: Service Before Self by Tegon Maus Virtual Book Tour, Interview and Giveaway

Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing (February 24, 2015) Category: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Tour Date: May/June, 2015 Available in: ebook, 154 Pages A recent transplant to Southern California, Toby Grant has landed his dream job. He’s a service tech for Handy Dandy Services—the premier handyman service in the southland. Things don’t go well for Toby on the first day when he is teamed up with Ryan Burnell, a twenty year veteran of Handy Dandy. Toby quickly learns the hardships of being Ryan’s partner, and finds himself in one uncomfortable situation after another. In an effort to understand his new partner, Toby accidentally uncovers Ryan’s unsavory past involvement with drugs, burglary and other things he shouldn’t know about. He also learns that Ryan’s last partner of five years—Delsin Honaw— had been murdered…stabbed twenty-seven times. Haunted by one misunderstanding after another, Toby learns the true meaning of the company’s motto—“Service before Self.”

Praise for 'Service Before Self' by Tegon Maus:

"From eccentric waste billionaires and very flirtatious women, to unbelievable roach problems and ghosts in the attic, Toby’s numerous adventures in this book will make you laugh repeatedly, however, be aware some will also make your skin crawl. And, all the while poor Toby has to follow the deadpan instructions both gestures and verbal of the reluctant Ryan and do his bidding at a flick of a coin. This story is not only a very funny, if cringe worthy insight into the working day of company representatives, and what sometimes they see when entering other people’s homes; but also an extremely gripping thriller in parts as Ryan is pulled back, yet again, into the world of drugs he left behind five years previously. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this story and would happily recommend it as a brilliantly entertaining book."-Susan Keefe, Book Reviews by Susan Keefe

Praise for Tegon Maus's 'Bob':

Whether or not you believe the outcome, there is no denying that you will have great fun reading this very enjoyable science fiction story. It has all the essential components, good characters, a great plot and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, right up until the end."- Susan Keefe, Book Reviews by Susan Keefe "I love Bob! And I love Bob. Both the character and the book left me wishing for more. Bob, the character is great. His character had me cracking up for most of the book. Not that Bob is trying to be funny. It's just that he is. And Bob the book is better because of Bob the character. Whenever a problem arises, Bob tells Pete not to worry....he's "got cousin." This book is great. You will be both laughing during and enthralled by the story. The characters are perfectly written and the dialog is wonderful. The way the story flows keeps you reading quickly and you'll find yourself at the end of Bob way too soon. The story is a must read for any sci-fi lovers, but even if you aren't a sci-fi person, you'll enjoy the story....mostly because of Bob."- Christy M., Christy's Cozy Corners "Bob is science fiction but it is also suspenseful and funny. The characters are delightful. Bob, the man helping Peter (for a cost), is one of a kind. He’s not only funny and overbearing but he always comes through. He always has a “cousin” who can help them out. Emma is also unique as well as mysterious and Peter and Bob feel they need to help her. I was actually surprised at the end which is always good. I definitely recommend Bob. It has a little bit of everything: science fiction, humor, adventure, and suspense."- Dawn, Bound For Escape "There’s lots of action in Bob and the story will hold your interest from beginning to end. It’s an easy book to sit down with and read late into the night with. I thoroughly enjoyed Bob’s cousins, from the black-skinned cousin to the Italian cousin that spoke only Italian yet seemed to answer Peter in English every question. I thought that the plot was plausible and the characters were realistic."-Kathryn Svendsen, Shelf Full of Books

Interview ;

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?How long does it take you to write a book? On average about a year.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing? I only get to write nights and weekends so as a rule, I write in my head during the day. Then try like hell to remember it all and get it on paper that night at home. Saturdays, after lawn work, I read it over and try to put it in some kind of order. Sundays, I fill in the details of what I had in my head. I use a voice program that reads it all back to me. I listen for the rhythm of what I’ve written. It should flow, easy, smooth, natural… like you’re talking to someone interested in what you have to say.What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

How do books get published? Beats me! I heard there were Elves involved and since I have 6 books published and 2 more set for later this year I’m inclined to believe it.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? What inspires me?? That’s a tough one. Almost everything I see, hear, or interact with adds something to the story at the back of my head… maybe not the story I’m writing at this moment but it wedges itself in for future reference. Doubly so if it’s odd enough or makes me laugh.

When did you write your first book and how old were you? The first time I wrote a book I was in my mid 20’s. I sent it out to everyone I could get a hold of… dozens of copies to every corner of the world. What I got back crushed me, damaged me… it was like getting hate mail from the people you admire. It would be more than twenty years before I would try again.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? I love to garden and do wood working.

What does your family think of your writing?

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 6 that are published with 2 more slated for the end of the year.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? For me… it was buying a text to speech program so I can hear how it sounds… smooth verses choppy. I had read about a writing festival where you could get an agent as well as a publisher by submitting your work to them... that and $50 bucks. The one catch was you had to claim you wrote it after THEY READ IT OUT LOUD to a full auditorium of other writers who vote for or against your work. If I ever got the chance I didn’t want my stories to sound like a bad comedy show from the 60’s.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? Not too much… every now and then. I do get fan e-mail from a few teeny boppers in Estonia ! They seem to be very taken with my stories.

Do you like to create books for adults? Very much so. I like to lead them down one path only to pull the rug out from under them at the last moment.

What do you think makes a good story? I think it depends on the story… I like to take advantage of what people think is true and then prove its not.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Build Robots ! Failing that in college I wanted to be a Bio-Engineer and make robotic limbs for amputees.

What Would you like my readers to know? You got me… how do I or even you, convince anyone my stories are a fun, quirky, read well worth the time. They have to try it for themselves.

About Tegon Maus:

Tegon Maus was raised pretty much the same as everyone else... devoted mother, strict father and all the imaginary friends he could conjure. Not that he wasn't friendly, he just wasn't "people orientated". Maybe he lived in his head way more than he should have, maybe not. He liked machines more than people, at least he did until I met his wife. The first thing he can remember writing was for her. For the life of him he can't remember what it was about... something about dust bunnies under the bed and monsters in my closet. It must have been pretty good because she married him shortly after that. He spent a good number of years chasing other dreams before he got back to writing. It wasn't a deliberate conscious thought, it was more of a stepping stone. His wife and himself had joined a dream interpret group and we were encouraged to write down our dreams as they occurred. "Be as detailed as you can," we were told. He was thrilled. If there is one thing he enjoys it's making people believe him and he likes to exaggerate. Not a big exaggeration or an outright lie mind you, just a little step out of sync, just enough so you couldn't be sure if it were true or not. When he writes, he always write with the effort of "it could happen" very much in mind and nothing, he guarantees you, nothing, makes him happier. He has consistently placed in the top 3 in 189 writing contest in a variety of genres and has been featured in magazines a couple of times to raise money for Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Tegon Maus Website: http://www.tegonmaus.com/#! Author on Tirgearr Website: http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Maus_Tegon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TegonMaus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tegon-Maus/150255051766767 Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/tegon/tegon-maus/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/101974688416833509592/posts