Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Guest Post and review of RIVERWALKER.


Join Bud Bradshaw, author of the thriller mystery RIVERWALKER, as he virtually tours the blogosphere in September and October, 2012 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book.


Title: Riverwalker
Author: Bud Bradshaw
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pages: 247

Available at: Amazon

Blurb:

RIVERWALKER features the character debut of San Antonio PD veteran detective Gifford Holloway, a former Special Agent with Army Intelligence.  Holloway is in pursuit of the most despicable of criminals, a savage murderer who victimizes children and dumps their remains in the water and along the banks of San Antonio’s beautiful and world-renowned Riverwalk attraction.
Frustrated at the lack of progress on the case and spurred on by an encounter with the mysterious Madame Candelaria, a local psychic, Holloway contemplates calling upon his special gift of “seeing”, though officially off-limits within the SAPD, to help solve the case and bring an end to the terror.  Along the way, Holloway finds an ally in the capable and sensuous newspaper reporter, Salma Veramendi, who carries her own history of abuse
On the bend of the river looms Adler’s Antiques, a historical landmark owned and operated by Wolff Adler, a drug-pumping psychopath descended from a familial line of predators dating back to post-World War I Germany.   Himself a victim of horrendous child abuse, Adler is the offspring of a Nazi father and a Mexican bruja, a witch who practiced the “old” religion.  Operating from deep within his secret lair beneath the Alamo, San Antonio’s most recognizable and sacred shrine, Adler assumes the guise of Tlaloc, Aztec god of storm, thunder, and … child sacrifice.  Adler’s demonic reign of terror, acting upon a distorted internal belief system – a synthesis of Norse mythology and ancient Aztec practices – has a stranglehold on the residents of San Antonio.   Wolff Adler has become the RiverWalker.
When his own daughter is suddenly abducted, Holloway pulls out all the stops and, with Salma by his side, closes in on the killer in a gripping climax.

About Bud Bradshaw
Bud Bradshaw’s fictional work,“RIVERWALKER,” is his second work, the first being“BRANDISHING,” the true-crime story of the California Highway Patrol’s worst tragedy.  His previous formal writing experience consisted of med-legal report writing – chiefly as a Qualified Medical Evaluator and Disability Evaluator – and Intelligence report writing while he served as a Special Agent with the Army’s 109th MI Group from 1969-71.
As an artist, Bradshaw’s work focuses on military history and the American West.  Many of his paintings, prints, and Giclees appear in private collections and museums in the U.S., Canada, England, Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia. He is a member of the Western Artists of America.
Along the way, Bradshaw worked as a professional musician while earning his B.S. and D.C. degrees.  

You may view his web site and blog at www.budbradshaw.com/blog


Added bonus

About the author
The inspiration for Riverwalker came from many sources, not the least of which was a meeting held many years ago at the home of my friend, Joseph Musso, a man whose many talents are widely recognized through his contributions to the fields of art, cinema, and American history. On the night of our meeting, Joe played for me a taped recording of a session he had held some years previous with the renowned Dutch psychic Peter Hurkos, during which Mr. Hurkos had conducted a “reading” of an object Joe had brought with him. The reading had an immediate and lasting impact on the life of Joe Musso, and has become an integral part of the legendary pedigree of what we now recognize as the “Musso Bowie” knife. A remarkable weapon --- the size of a Roman short sword, yet light as a feather --- it is the very real knife described in detail within the pages of this manuscript.  After listening to the recording, my imagination began working overtime; a story began to take shape, a frightening tale of vengeance meted out by the ghost of Jim Bowie. Over time, however, the story shifted course and gradually evolved into its current form --- Riverwalker --- a blend of fact and fiction. For my own purposes, and to briefly categorize some of the salient devices and characters utilized, I respectfully submit the following:

FICTIONAL ELEMENTS:  All the primary characters in this story are fictional composites, including Holloway, Selma, Madam Candelaria, and all members of the Adler family. The serial murders committed by Adler never happened; and no one, as far as I know, has plans to destroy the Alamo, although in 1836 General Sam Houston had ordered Jim Bowie, the Alamo’s Commandant, to do just that. The Dickinson Diary, along with its implications, is a fictional enhancement, no more historical fact than the character “Flaca” or the fabricated “Santa Ana” letter concocted by Davy Crockett (John Wayne) and addressed to his men as a motivational ruse in Wayne’s 1960 movie: The Alamo. It is a simple, incontrovertible truth that many of our highly cherished historical movies contain such fictional literary contrivances.

FACTUAL ELEMENTS:  The “Tablets,” as described in the story, are real things; the Aztec and Norse pantheons and their practices are historically established; the art and practice of remote viewing has been utilized by our military; and the very real Intersex Community, largely misunderstood in the past, is gradually making more of its story known through the various media. The colorful history of San Antonio, Texas, rests securely in the arms of truth; and the world-famous River Walk is beautifully real. Most regretfully, it is also true that there are parents who sell their children; N.A.M.B.L.A. is real; and child predators, herein personified by Karl Wolff Adler, do exist and unfortunately have always existed. In plain sight they walk among us, befriend us, gain our trust; then, with suddenness they strike and our children are abused beyond description, sometimes gone forever. Not only are such predators the great sad scar upon the face of Man, they represent our most profound failure; because, like it or not, they are part of us. And, unless we fervently work to abolish this evil, it will certainly be to our great discredit, perhaps our eternal shame.
Bud Bradshaw,  November 2009

Bradshaw, Bud (2012-07-27). Riverwalker (Kindle Locations 3285-3289). Bud Bradshaw. Kindle Edition.




Read the Excerpts
“…..Holloway squinted, eyes straining through the shimmering candlelight.  What he saw perplexed him.  A series of bizarre symbols and figures had been incorporated into the design of this board, some around the perimeter, some more centrally located. ‘No, Lieutenant, it’s not a Ouija board,’ Madam Candelaria croaked, her voice suddenly deeper.  ‘This is called la Tabletta que hableThe Tablet that speaks. This Tablet, Lieutenant, is far more powerful than any Ouija board. In fact, this one can be quite deadly.”  (RIVERWALKER, Ch. 3: “Madam Candelaria”).

“…..Suddenly, with a gasp, she stopped.  Her eyes flew fully open, whites above the irises. “Retribution!” she rasped.  Holloway’s eyes were riveted to hers.  The old woman seemed genuinely afraid.  The lips on her contorted face trembled, sending a thin river of spittle dribbling downward from the corner of her mouth.  Again she spoke.  “The Beast has awakened.  The River Beast of San Antonio.”   (RIVERWALKER, Ch. 3: “Madam Candelaria”)

“…There, in the stillness of inner earth he paused, darkness within darkness, coiled evil, the only sounds the pulse in his ears, his own breathing, and the soft hiss of the San Antonio river, fifteen feet away.” (RIVERWALKER, Ch. 20: “Lair”)

“…For a long moment, she was still.  Then she felt her own heart beat, felt the breeze, sweet and warm, rush into her lungs, felt her lashes flutter as the river’s cool caress brushed her cheek.  Slowly, Salma pulled her sunglasses down over her tear-brimmed eyes, picked up her thermos and attaché, and quietly walked away, knowing she was loved but not knowing why she cried.”   (RIVERWALKER, Ch.5: “Salma”)

“…Otto stood in his kitchen and read how all three victims had been mutilated in the same way, with symbols carved into their skin.  ‘Animal figures,’ the article said.  ‘Possibly Aztec in design.’”  (RIVERWALKER, Ch. 12: “Heinrich”)


My 5 Star Review

This would make a great Thriller movie.
Intrigued from the very first page that kept your attention to the end.
It has been awhile that I read such a gripping story with an interesting plot that kept you thinking. The rich history from the Alamo, Aztec's and Hitler intertwined with Child slavery, - mutilation,  - pornography  Intersexual dysfunctions.  The warp thoughts of a sick father that spilled over to his son. Generation after generation until it bleeds into a river running through the city. Leaving mutilated bodies of children behind in its wake.  Filled with seers both psychic and spiritual to lead you to the end. Grissling Tattoo's, sketches the story beautifully. The after effects on a man that chose a different path. Willing himself to finally cut the generational evil to begin anew.
The rich characters from the detectives to the newspaper reporter, the Madam even the children kept you glued. Demanding your attention. Strong and calculated characters that brought their own unique touch to the story.
A great read for any one who loves a good thriller with a touch of history and mystic. 
The author's back ground and knowledge can be seen through out the book, set and detailed in a well thought plot.
Well done Bud Bradshaw.



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