Fiore's Special Treat!!!

Mark 6:30 PM on March 26 on your Calendar!

Music, Mystery and Mojitos is back...and better than last year!

Join us for David Pereda's reading of his award-winning thriller, Havana: Killing Castro. For $25 you'll receive a signed copy of the book, hors d'oevres and the best
Cuban mojito in town. Plus, you'll enjy watching salsa performances and the
virtuoso Flamenco guitarist Juan Benavides, as he accompanies David while
reading excerpts from his newest book.

New Interview

EazyCheezy blog did an interview with me. Come read it at

http://www.eazycheezy.net/

New review for Havana: Killing Castro

David Pereda
Havana: Killing Castro

David Pereda has done it again. In Havana: Killing Castro he continues intriguing readers with the story begun in Havana: Top Secret published last year.

In this sequel, when an old fisherman is gunned down on a Mexican breach, prominent Miami surgeon Raymond Peters becomes the prime suspect. The dead fisherman is believed to be Fidel Castro whom Dr. Peters had helped disguise through clandestine plastic surgery on a trip to Cuba two years earlier. But is the body really that of the Cuban leader?

In order to save his own life, the beleaguered physician must find the killers and retrieve a mysterious journal. And this has to be done while outwitting Marcela, a sensual killer sent by Castro's brother Raul.

David is an award-winning author and college writing instructor living in Asheville, and is a frequent contributor to The Laurel of Asheville. He is the regional director of the Florida Writers Association's Western North Carolina division and the founder of Asheville Writing Enthusiasts.

Havana: Killing Castro, softcover, $13.95, is published by Eternal Press and is available in bookstores and at Amazon.com and davidpereda.com. It is also available as an ebook and for Amazon's Kindle.

(This review will be available at http://www.thelaurelofasheville.com/ as soon as their website is updated for the March issue.)

Last Call, First Reading

This is the last reminder that my first reading of Havana: Killing Castro will take place at Montford Books at 6:30 PM on Friday, February 26.

We will have several overseas visitors present, including Princess Elizabeth Von Alexander-Bismarck who has flown in from Paris for the occasion. The inimitable Rosita La-La and her dancing partner, Agustin "El Apache" from the Salsationals will get us all in a Cuban mood by showing us how to dance salsa. And Juan Benavides, the virtuoso Flameco guitarist, will accompany my readings strumming his guitar.

So come join the fun and show your support!

See you there!

David Pereda
www.davidpereda.com

Reading for Havana: Killing Castro - 2/26

The first reading of Havana: Killing Castro will take place at Montford Books at 6:30 PM on Friday, February 26.

The event promises to be quite exciting and will have several overseas visitors present, including Princess Elizabeth Von Alexander-Bismarck who is flying from Paris for the occasion. The inimitable Rosita La-La and her dancing partner, Agustin "El Apache" from the Salsationals will get us all in a Cuban mood by showing us how to dance salsa. And Juan Benavides, the virtuoso Flameco guitarist, will accompany my readings strumming his guitar.

Havana: Killing Castro, a Readers Favorite award-winner, is the second book in the Havana Series of thrillers and continues the adventures and misadventures of the same cast of characters you met in Havana: Top Secret.

Here's a brief synopsis of the book:

When an old fisherman is gunned down on a Mexican beach, prominent Miami surgeon Raymond Peters becomes the prime suspect. The dead fisherman is believed to be Fidel Castro, whom Dr. Raymond Peters helped disguise through clandestine plastic surgery on a trip to Cuba two years earlier. In order to save his own life, the beleaguered doctor must find the killers and retrieve a mysterious journal while outwitting a ruthless woman assassin named Marcela, sent by Castro’s brother Raul.

So mark this event on your calendar and come join the fun!

David Pereda
www.davidpereda.com

Great Review for Havana: Killing Castro

Please visit the website and leave a comment. - David

=====

Dear David,

We have completed your review Havana: Killing Castro. You will find your book review posted at Pacific Book Review under "Latest Reviews", "Thriller" and "Suspense". We have also posted your review on Amazon and Ezine Articles for you. Allow about a week with Ezine Articles to see the review. I did not see your book on Barnes & Noble, please let me know if it is sold at Barnes & Noble and I will post a review on Barnes & Noble for you. We will be mailing you a letter of authenticity. Pacific Book Review has also chosen your book Havana: Killing Castro to be in the "Top Five Reviews". You will see your book posted in the "Top Five Reviews" beginning March 1, 2010. It will be posted for a full month in the "Top Five Reviews" and will also be on the front page of Pacific Book Review under "Check out these great books" for a full month beginning in March. We will also let you know if your book is chosen for the featured book of the month. We hope you enjoy the review, and we wish you the greatest success with all of your books. Please see review below.

Sincerely,

--
Nicole Sorkin
Managing Book Review Editor
www.pacificbookreview.com
nicolesorkin@pacificbookreview.com
(805) 440-1787

Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review

Title: Havana: Killing Castro

Author: David Pereda

Sitting back, reading David Pereda's novel, Havana: Killing Castro brought the imaginary aroma of a Cohiba Siglo VI cigar to my olfactory sense along with the cerebral stimulation burst of a Cubano con Lache coffee. The book, from literally the very first page, draws you into a fast paced plot of intriguingly wicked characters with power, influence and epic historical importance. David Pereda's candidly honest writing style illuminates the thoughts of his characters down to their deepest carnal motivations. This technique is awesomely exploited throughout the novel, bringing a sensuous undercurrent of sexuality to the actions of his characters. This is dramatically illustrated by Marcela, a seductively attractive female assassin possessing hypnotizing beauty and a quick stiletto bite, sensually aroused by the sweet scent of her victim's dying breath.

His dialog throughout is laced with foreign vernacular and terse subtleties. His characters have survival instincts sharp as a caffeinated cricket in an iguana cage. The only way out is to solve a mystery before they become the prey. The realism of his descriptions make you feel the humidity, the heat, along with the temperate breeze over the 90 mile stretch of ocean separating Cuba from Florida's Keys and Miami. The work is indeed a masterpiece of entertainment, in the caliber of genius. Something Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton would raise an eyebrow in admiration.

David Pereda's "2009 Reader's Favorite" award winning novel, just over 300 pages, is covered in a photographic portrait montage of its main characters along with the Cuban flag and a subliminal image of Fidel Castro. A perfect book for screenplay adaptation and a blockbuster movie, of which I believe plans may be in the making. Inside, the scores of short chapters play out a fast paced "mental storyboard" of scenes seemingly at first disassociated but brilliantly laced together. David Pereda develops suspense with the timing of a virtuoso. He allows for the reader's mind to skip along his words while venturing into imagination and back like a rock skimming along the surface of water once flicked. In full control of the reader's knowledge base, he foreshadows and illuminates events satisfying one's curiosity while always respecting the intelligence of his audience.

Whether you're a seasoned suspense novel enthusiast, or just an evening "cup of tea" story fanatic, this is food for thought. For me, I couldn't wait to pick up and finish Havana: Killing Castro - and my first thought when done, "Wow."

Excerpt -- Havana: Killing Castro

ADULT CONTENT WARNING

SEX

The two women left the bar arm in arm, giggling. To a casual observer, they could have been two friends who had had too much to drink, maybe even lovers. The parking lot was crammed with cars.

“Where’s your car?” Marcela asked.

“Over there.” Tula made a vague gesture, slurring her words. “I think I’m drunk.”

“Give me the keys,” Marcela said.

Tula opened her purse and looked inside. “I’m dizzy.”

“You had a lot to drink.”

Tula handed Marcela the keys, wobbling. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Breathe in deeply and you’ll feel better,” Marcela said. “What kind of car is it?”

“A Corolla.”

“Red?”

“That’s the one.”

“I see it.”

“Where are we going?”

“I’m going to take you home, undress you and tuck you into bed.”

“No, no, no.” Tula giggled. “You can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“You’re as drunk as I am.”

“Not quite.”

Marcela opened the passenger door for Tula and helped her inside. Tula’s short dress climbed up her thighs as she slid in, and Marcela felt a glow in her belly. The night is promising. She lifted Tula and positioned her in her seat so she could buckle her seat belt.

Marcela went around the car and got in. “Where to?”

Tula slurred the address, eyes unfocused and head lolling. She slumped in her seat and rested her head against Marcela’s shoulder. Tula’s warm breath on her arm sent delicious shivers down Marcela’s spine. She started the engine.

“You’re strong,” Tula said, raising her head and squeezing Marcela’s right bicep.

“I go to the gym a lot.”

“Very strong.”

Marcela couldn’t control herself. She leaned forward in her seat and kissed Tula’s open mouth. Tula’s saliva tasted of mojitos.

“Don’t do that,” Tula said, head bobbing.

“Why not?”

“You’re a woman.”

“I’m really a man disguised as a woman.”

Tula snickered. “No, no, no. You’re just trying to confuse me. You’re a woman.”

“What if I’m a woman? I can’t kiss you then?”

“I like men, not women.”

“You ever been with a woman before?”

“No.”

“How do you know for sure then?”

Tula giggled. “The smell.”

“The smell?”

“I like the way a man smells, sweaty and rough. Not sweet and soft like a woman.”

“How do I smell to you?”

Tula leaned in her seat and smelled Marcela’s neck.

“You smell a little bit like a man.”

“Who’s your favorite film star?”

“Brad Pitt.”

“Would you have sex with him if he invited you?”

“I might. I don’t know.”

“Just close your eyes and imagine I’m Brad Pitt.”

“But you’re a woman.”

“Let your imagination flow. With your eyes closed, who knows who I am?”

Tula closed her eyes, and Marcela kissed her. With the tip of her fingers, Marcela caressed Tula’s thighs and ran her hand all the way to Tula’s crotch. Tula moaned and opened her eyes.

“Are we home already?”

“You were snoring.”

“I don’t snore.”

“Okay. Give me your hand. Good. Now lean against me.”

Marcela helped Tula walk to her ground-floor apartment in back. She tried a couple of keys until she found the right one, pushed the door open, and stepped in, dragging Tula behind her. Once she closed the door, she lifted Tula easily and carried her to the bedroom.

“You are so strong,” Tula said.

“I told you I’m a man.”

Tula giggled. “No, you’re not.”

Marcela propped up Tula by the bed while she yanked the bedcover to the floor. Then she lifted Tula again and deposited her on the bed.

While Tula rested her head on the pillow, Marcela undressed her. She removed Tula’s dress and black-laced brassiere. Marcela’s head pounded with excitement. She removed Tula’s black-laced panties. Tula hardly stirred.

Marcela removed her clothes and got in bed beside her. She ran her fingertips over Tula’s body, kneading her nipples gently. She nibbled Tula’s ears and kissed her neck. Then she opened Tula’s legs slightly, leaned over her and gave her little sucking kisses all over her body. Tula stirred restlessly, eyes closed.

Marcela finally got down between Tula’s legs and started licking, first the inside of her thighs, then around her labia, and finally her clitoris.

Tula moaned. Marcela inserted a finger in Tula’s vagina and the tip of her thumb in Tula’s anus and squeezed. Tula’s body jerked. Marcela licked faster.

Tula lifted her back, and her body became taut. Marcela knew what was coming. She stroked Tula’s clitoris with her tongue with rapid motions. A moment later Tula stopped moving for a long instant and then screamed. Her anus puckered and started twitching. Marcela loved that feeling in her hand. She removed her hand and smelled Tula’s aroma.

What a wonderful scent. Only one of my favorite smells is missing.

Marcela lay on top of Tula and rubbed her body against hers while Tula continued to gasp and moan. They were both bathed in sweat. Marcela was so excited that the moment she started massaging her own clitoris, she felt the wave coming. She closed her eyes and moaned. The wave came fast, toppling everything in its wake, and she lost consciousness of what she was doing. When she stopped convulsing, she slid off Tula’s body and lay on the bed next to her. Tula was snoring softly again.

Marcela smiled and drifted into sleep.

Havana: Killing Castro is a 2009 Readers Favorite Awards winner, and is now available as an eBook from Eternal Press, and also in print and eBook format from Amazon.com and select booksellers.