Friday, February 27, 2015

The Chronicles of Elizabeth Highland Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: The Chronicles of Elizabeth Highland
Author: Elizabeth Highland
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Pages: 370
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 1973 This is the love story of Elizabeth Highland and Timothy Blumefield. To be or not to be… that is their question. Friends for 40 years… they have lived 3000 miles apart for the past 20. Through the twists and turns of life somehow fate and destiny brings them together in an uncanny spiritual journey guided by the universe. Elizabeth chronicles their story… a tale that takes her around the globe to find guidance and inner wisdom. The Chronicles of Elizabeth Highland is a hilarious tale of awakening consciousness. SHAMBHALA

  amazon  

Elizabeth Highland worked as both a designer and manufacturer in the sporting goods industry for twenty-five years. Her products sold in Canada, the United States, Europe, Korea and Japan. As well, she dabbled as an actor in film and improv. Travel has always been a part of her creative inspiration. In recent years Elizabeth lived in Peru and travelled extensively throughout South America. Just back from an adventure in Istanbul, Jerusalem and Jordan, she is currently working on her second novel THE CHRONICHLES OF ELIZABETH HIGHLAND, VOLUME II… The Journey Continues. Elizabeth holds both a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. Elizabeth presently lives in Toronto with her dog Little Bear.

Elizabeth is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Cover Reveal! Love, Lattes and Danger by Sandra Cox


Title: Love, Lattes and Danger
Author: Sandra Cox
Publisher: Lyrical Press

  It’s a dirty job, but some mutant’s got to do it…

 Joel Eisler is a mutant with special talents. He can detect an oil leak in the ocean simply by tasting the water. Because of this unique ability, he’s been purchased by a large oil company, along with his dolph sister, Amy. The upside of spending his days and nights in the ocean is that it gives him the opportunity to save the lives of his brother dolphins. The downsides are life as a closely monitored slave—and that he can’t be with Piper, the dolph-girl he loves…

 To make matters worse, Joel discovers the lab he grew up in has extracted his sperm and Piper’s egg and created a baby, and his handler, Craven, is plotting to kidnap Amy for more experiments. Now Joel must rescue the infant, bring her to Piper, and find a way to save Amy. And if that’s not enough of a challenge, he needs to convince Piper she belongs with him instead of her all-too-human boyfriend—if Craven doesn’t get to them first…

  FOR MORE INFORMATION
  • Love, Lattes and Danger is available at Amazon

Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA fantasy, historic and paranormal romance and metaphysical nonfiction. Sandra lives with her husband, a menagerie of pets, and an occasional foster cat in sunny North Carolina. To see the brood go to her website www.sandracox1.com and click on the cat tab.

For More Information

Interview with J.P. London, author of Suburban Enterprise



Title: Suburban Enterprise
Author: J.P. London
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Pages: 138
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Format: Paperback/Kindle

If You Like Breaking Bad or the Stieg Larsson Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Books, You Will Love J.P. London’s Suburban Enterprise.

Brian has it all as a championship high school athlete in the suburbs, until a devastating injury turns his life upside down in an instant. With his athletic career ruined, and all hopes for a college education gone with it, Brian loses all hope of ever getting out of town and out of poverty. This town is where you either have money or you want money. Brian figures he will just continue being one of those that wants money. But, he wants it bad. Then along comes a spider in the form of an old coach, who gives Brian a chance to turn everything around, if he’s willing to pay the price. He shows Brian how he can take the money he wants. Brian must choose on which side of the law he wants to operate. His life depends on it. When everything starts to spiral out of control, Brian learns he can either lie down and die or come out fighting.

Does he have what it takes to survive?

For More Information
  • Suburban Enterprise is available at Amazon.
 

Can you tell us, what compelled you to write your book?
It really came from two places.  A writing contest for a short story titled “Locked up,” which made me start writing the story.  And a friend of mine who became a drug addict after taking prescription pain pills.  Seeing his struggle let me see that this was a story that needed to be told.

What was the hardest part while writing it?
The biggest challenges were changing the voices as the points of view changed.  First, it was displaying the arrogance of a teenage with the world in his hands, then the distressed mania of an addict.

What obstacles or fears must a writer face? Any tips on how to overcome them?
The biggest fear, I think, for any writer is how the book will be received.  The most important part is to keep moving forward.  Even if your first book doesn’t do very well, it doesn’t mean that you should stop.  Your next book might be the life altering story that we are all waiting for.

What makes a good book?
A good book is a story with well developed characters.  I want to feel what they feel and be completely captivated by their struggle.  A good book allows the reader to briefly leave the outside world and become lost in the venture of their new fictional friends.

Do you also enjoy reading? If yes, would you recommend a few good titles?
I don’t necessarily enjoy reading.  I do read, and quite a bit.  It is something that I force myself to do as per the advice of Stephen King in his book on writing, most appropriately titled “On Writing.”  “On Writing” is perhaps the best book I could recommend to anyone who has even the mildest inclination to become a writer.

How did you feel when you finished writing your story?
I feel incredible.  It is the most rewarding of pursuits, to see a story that was born in your mind live out on paper.  I believe this is the same feeling an artist encounters when finishing a portrait,  it’s the highest expression of self.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Keep writing.  The more you do it the better you get and the more stories you will end up with.

  J.P. London a New Jersey born and raised fiction author. He writes fictional stories about the social issues that he sees in everyday life which include the spread of opiate addiction to the masses, the lack of opportunities to war veterans, and the crippling weight of student loan debt on recent grads. Most of his stories take place in New Jersey and include locations that can be seen today.  You can visit J.P. London at the author’s website http://jplondonauthor.wix.com/jplondon

For More Information Visit J.P.’s website.

Gray Skies by Elle Emtage Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!



Title: Gray Skies
Author: Elle Emtage
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 170
Genre: Romance
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 Dunstan’s dashing good looks, thriving business and exotic lifestyle made him one of the world’s most sought after bachelors; but none of this seemed to quell Dunstan’s desire for Destiny. As their courtship evolves their romance is woven from a tapestry of classical beauty and romantic places in the orange light of the Tuscan sun. To Destiny, her life once filled with endless days of meetings and long nights alone is now full of life and love in a whirlwind romance. In the midst of their developing relationship however, tragedy rips them apart and she discovers a thread in time which links their existence to an unbelievable possibility. This possibility threatens their very existence, but Dunstan, fueled by his love, will stop at nothing until he reclaims what he has lost. A fantasy romance novel, Gray Skies demonstrates how true love can even overcome obstacles set by the universe.

  amazon 
Elle Emtage is a business professional and has been published in several media houses. Elle’s passion for writing has transformed throughout the years and she is sharing her love of romance and intrigue through the début of this novel. Elle and her family consider themselves fortunate to live on the beautiful island of Barbados.

Elle is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of: 'Not All Americans Are Racist' by Nicole Weaver

"Not All Americans Are Racist" is an honest, thought-provoking account of one black woman's experience with racism after she came from Haiti at a young age and later on as she rose through college to get an education. Weaver is objective, not only pointing out the prejudice she experienced, but also the help and support she received from non-racist white individuals. Her decision to look back and write this 46-page essay was sparked by recent events, such as the latest cases in the news with Darren Wilson, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner.

As a human being, I found Weaver's account both compelling and eye-opening. I hate injustices of all kinds and some of her experiences were painful to read. It's hard to come to terms with the fact that, still in this era, some people hate others or are prejudiced just because of the color of the other person's skin.

Weaver touches on various subjects, such as Jim Crow and the Civil Rights movement, President Obama, social issues, among others. "Not All Americans Are Racist" would be worthy of high-school class discussions, and Weaver includes discussion questions for students at the end of the book.

What I liked about this book is that it is ultimately positive and offers hope for the future. Above all, the author's love for this country sparkles through. Most appropriately, Weaver ends the book with an open appeal to the young people of America.

Purchase at Amazon


Monday, February 23, 2015

The Chronicles of Elizabeth Highland Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: The Chronicles of Elizabeth Highland
Author: Elizabeth Highland
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Pages: 370
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 1973 This is the love story of Elizabeth Highland and Timothy Blumefield. To be or not to be… that is their question. Friends for 40 years… they have lived 3000 miles apart for the past 20. Through the twists and turns of life somehow fate and destiny brings them together in an uncanny spiritual journey guided by the universe. Elizabeth chronicles their story… a tale that takes her around the globe to find guidance and inner wisdom. The Chronicles of Elizabeth Highland is a hilarious tale of awakening consciousness. SHAMBHALA

  amazon  

Elizabeth Highland worked as both a designer and manufacturer in the sporting goods industry for twenty-five years. Her products sold in Canada, the United States, Europe, Korea and Japan. As well, she dabbled as an actor in film and improv. Travel has always been a part of her creative inspiration. In recent years Elizabeth lived in Peru and travelled extensively throughout South America. Just back from an adventure in Istanbul, Jerusalem and Jordan, she is currently working on her second novel THE CHRONICHLES OF ELIZABETH HIGHLAND, VOLUME II… The Journey Continues. Elizabeth holds both a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. Elizabeth presently lives in Toronto with her dog Little Bear.

Elizabeth is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

645
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rendezvous in Baghdad by Ben Sheldon Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: Rendezvous in Baghdad
Author: Ben Sheldon
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 208
Genre: Thriller
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 As throngs of humanity pack Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, all await the news from the Sistine Chapel as to who will be the next Pope. But no one is more anxious than Iraqi American Sami Yusuf, for he and one of the papal candidates share a well-kept secret. When it is finally announced that Cardinal Paul Rogan has been elected Pope, Sami knows the one thing about Father Rogan that no one in the crowd does-he is a humble shepherd who molests his unsuspecting sheep. Many years earlier, while Sami was a Jesuit school student in Baghdad, he was molested by Father Rogan. Deathly afraid of revealing the abuse for fear of losing his family’s honor, Sami eventually emigrated to the United States and joined the Air Force. Meanwhile, Father Rogan slowly moved up in the Catholic Hierarchy-while quietly ruining one young boy’s life after another. Now amid sectarian mayhem and the occupation of Iraq, Sami must visit his ailing dad in Baghdad. But first he must fulfill his most important life’s mission-to cleanse the honor that Father Rogan stripped from his family. In this compelling tale that spans three continents, a vendetta drives an Iraqi American pilot into international dram that culminates with unexpected ramifications that change everything forever.

  amazon  

 Ben Sheldon lived in the Middle East, including Baghdad and Kurdistan, and attended college in Europe before settling in the San Francisco Bay area. He has worked as assistant editor for a national technical magazine and is the author of a novel and poetry book.

Ben is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

645
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, February 19, 2015

The Iron Ring by Auston Habershaw Book Feature

The Iron Ring banner

The Iron RingTitle: The Iron Ring
Author: Auston Habershaw
Publisher: Harper Voyage Impulse
Pages: 192
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Format: Kindle

Tyvian Reldamar—criminal mastermind, rogue mage, and smuggler of sorcerous goods—has just been betrayed by his longtime partner and left for dead in a freezing river. To add insult to injury, his mysterious rescuer took it upon himself to affix Tyvian with an iron ring that prevents the wearer from any evildoing. 

Revenge just got complicated.

 On his quest to get even, Tyvian navigates dark international conspiracies, dodges midnight assassins, and uncovers the plans of the ruthless warlord Banric Sahand—all while running from a Mage-Defender determined to lock him up. Tyvian will need to use every dirty trick in the book to avoid a painful and ignominious end, even as he discovers that sometimes even the world's most devious man needs a shoulder to lean on.

For More Information

  • The Iron Ring is available at Amazon.
  • Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
 Auston Habershaw is a science fiction and fantasy writer and author of The Saga of the Redeemed (part one to be released by Harper Voyager in February 2015). You can find links to his stuff through Amazon or Goodreads (see the links to your right!). He got second place in the Writers of the Future Contest in the first quarter of 2014 (Volume 31), so he presumably has some idea of what he’s doing (though not the *best* idea, obviously). He’s also an English professor, a pretty good storyteller, and a big time geek. This blog is for him to discuss and explore some of the crazy ideas that are usually kicking around in his head, throw out some of his homemade RPGs for people to use or see, advertise his budding writing career, and see just what this whole ‘blog’ thing is about. Enjoy!

  For More Information

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Interview with Kimbe Abernathy, author of Can You Action Past Your Devil's Advocate?

Can-You-Action-Past-Your-Devils-Advocate-200x300Title: Can You Action Past Your Devil's Advocate?
Author: Kimbe Abernathy
Publisher: Xlibris
Pages: 93
Genre: Business
Format: Paperback/Kindle

Are you an existing, new, or upcoming entrepreneur?
Do you have business goals? This book is an easy-to-read, relaxed, understand body of work. A great book to assist in expounding one's vision to put all into action through twelve elaborated tips on what it takes to move forward. An undeniable source of motivation bursting with inspiration for the entrepreneurial mind. If you can get through this book, you can get through business. From the desk of an average member of society,

"Can you action past your devil's advocate?" Jam-packed with success tips, famous quotes, profiles of iconic successful leaders, mentors and main takeaways. Let's get this body of work read so we can move on to excellence, creating our own success stories! This book provokes you to: rise up to the challenge and overcome leads you to fight for your life and your dreams points you to reach the top at your full potential, in full force.

To Purchase Can You Action Past Your Devil's Advocate:

What is your book about?
Can You Action Past Your Devil’s Advocate? is for the existing, new, and upcoming entrepreneur.

This book is an easy-to-read, relaxed to understand body of work. A great book to assist in expounding one's vision to put all into action through twelve elaborated tips on what it takes to move forward. An undeniable source of motivation bursting with inspiration for the entrepreneurial mind. If you can get through this book, you can get through business. From the desk of an average member of society, "Can you action past your devil's advocate?"

Jam-packed with success tips, famous quotes, profiles of iconic successful leaders, mentors and main takeaways. Let's get this body of work read so we can move on to excellence, creating our own success stories!

Can you tell us, what compelled you to write your book?
As an industry educator I was connecting with so many individuals who allowed themselves not to complete a goal because of circumstances that they could absolutely control. I found myself indirectly motivating ones to get out of their own head and get it done by any lawful means necessary. Can You Action Past Your Devil’s Advocate? is an entrepreneurs anthem for the beginning of all things entrepreneurial. Entrepreneur I like to say is anyone with an idea who turns it into revenue.  

What was the hardest part while writing it?
Maintaining life’s challenges in the process. Staying  focused!

What makes a good book?
Content, Audience connection, and Clear concise intentions

Do you also enjoy reading? If yes, would you recommend a few good titles?
Enjoy reading tremendously. Mostly books that further growth in a particular skill. Absolutely mind stimulating for myself. Yes how about “ Can You Action Past Your Devil’s Advocate?” for a recommendation :-) from there it will open a gateway of other books from several different authors.

How did you feel when you finished writing your story?
Accomplished, I would be able to to touch the minds that otherwise was giving themselves a hard time.  

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Implore yourself to action past any devil’s advocate to get it completed. Whether that devil’s advocate is yourself or another.  And continue to...be thankful for your achievements; be thankful for your accomplishments, no matter how big or small. Be thankful for the mind to complete the accomplishments. Be thankful for your past, present, and future, and know that if you are creating success stories you will find that average is how you began, above average is then where you will stand!
Lest you forget the strong develop and improve; the weak get frantic, digress and deviate. Implore yourself to continue to Action Past Your Devil’s Advocate."



K. Abernathy better known as Kimbe`, Kentucky native, now California saturated since the 90’s. Passionately spreading growth knowledge to assist ones in reaching their high potentials. Kimbe` an entrepreneur, business owner, director, educator, and deal sealer, currently serving as CEO of a small personal appearance company and Director of youth programs sponsored by regional school districts.
“I noticed success started to come when I stopped looking for people to utilize my full potential and began to create my own opportunities”                                                             -K. Abernathy
Entrepreneur - Author
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/kimbeabernathy

Guest Post from Erick Williams, author of Guardian

Guardian banner

Title: Guardian
Author: Erik Williams
Publisher: Harper Voyage Impulse
Pages: 254
Genre: Military Thriller
Format: Paperback/Kindle

 The heart-pounding, action-packed sequel to Demon. A secret order at war with itself. A Syrian official who wants to set the Middle East ablaze. And all of them want nothing more than one unlucky CIA agent …

 CIA agent Mike Caldwell just confronted a fallen angel and survived. But he wasn't the only one tracking down Semyaza, and the demon's escape from an ancient tomb has caught the attention of several powerful entities. Now they will stop at nothing to get Mike to play by their rules. Mike must head out on an international mission to confront the covert brotherhood in an effort to save the world from destruction.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
  • Guardian is available at Amazon
  • Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
So, what is GUARDIAN? Well, it’s a book.  It’s a sequel to my novel DEMON.  It’s chock full of action, horror, thrills and chills, heroism, and just a bit of humor.   Genre wise, it’s hard to peg.  Equal parts spy thriller, action thriller, horror thriller, military thriller, religious thriller, supernatural thriller…Hey, I’m saying thriller a lot. Let’s just say it’s a big giant thriller full of awesomeness.

Most of all, it’s an entertainment.   I hate the idea of wasting a reader’s time, and, heaven forbid, bore them.  This book, I’m proud to say, fails in both regards.  I guarantee you will not be bored or feel like I’ve stolen several hours from your soul.

Okay, so what’s it all about?  Here’s the synopsis:

The heart-pounding, action-packed sequel to Demon.
A secret order at war with itself. A Syrian official who wants to set the Middle East ablaze.
  And all of them want nothing more than one unlucky CIA agent …
CIA agent Mike Caldwell just confronted a fallen angel and survived. But he wasn't the only one tracking down Semyaza, and the demon's escape from an ancient tomb has caught the attention of several powerful entities. Now they will stop at nothing to get Mike to play by their rules.
Mike must head out on an international mission to confront the covert brotherhood in an effort to save the world from destruction.
Anyway, hope you’ll give it a shot.

Erik Williams is a former naval officer and current defense contractor (but he's not allowed to talk about it). He is also the author of Demon and numerous small press works and short stories. He currently lives in San Diego with his wife and three daughters. When he's not at his day job, he can usually be found changing diapers or coveting carbohydrates

For More Information

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Angel Hair by Margot Griffiths Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: Angel Hair
Author: Margot Griffiths
Publisher: Xlibris
Pages: 280
Genre: General Fiction
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 Victoria BC 1958: A haunting first novel of a privileged, tight-knit neighborhood—an insular world of stifling traditional values; a world where the eccentric and gifted Morgan family doesn’t fit. Eleanor and Hugh have settled into the rhythms of a long rift, bound by history and remnants of love. Their ten year old daughter Myfanwy escapes into the world of her imagination, but as conflicts escalate, her older brother Owen seeks a more desperate escape and the family begins its descent in earnest. The neighborhood watches, hiding secrets of its own, for beneath a veil of civility, all is not as it seems. Rich with period detail, finely drawn characters and withering humor.

  amazon 
Margot Griffiths was born in Victoria BC where her story is set. She has a masters degree in psychology and has worked at universities and libraries in the US, Canada and Tanzania. She now lives in the seaside town of Point Roberts Washington.

Margot is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

645
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black Dog Blues by Rhys Ford Book Feature


Black Dog BluesTitle: Black Dog Blues
Author: Rhys Ford
Publisher: DSP Publications
Pages: 246
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback/Kindle

 Ever since he’d been part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figured he’d used up any good karma he had when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races were left with a messy, monster-ridden world and Stalkers were often the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy and dark moved into the neighbourhood.

There certainly were no shortage of monsters or people stupidly willing to become lunch for one.

It was a hard life but one Kai liked. And he was good at it. Killing monsters was easy. Especially since he was one himself.

After an accident retired Dempsey out, Kai set up permanent shop in San Diego, contracting out to the local SoCalGov depot. It was a decent life, filled with bounty, a few friends and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him he wasn’t really human.

That was until a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego and Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It was supposed to a simple run; head up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary with the new Court then back to San Diego. Easy, quick and best of all, profitable. But Ryder’s “simple” run leads to massive trouble and Kai ends up being caught in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.

No one ever got rich by being a Stalker. But then hardly any of them got old either. The way things were looking, it didn’t look like Kai was going to be the exception.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
rhys-ford  Rhys Ford is a firm believer in love and let love, short walks to a coffee shop and having a spare cat or two. Most days she can be found swearing at her laptop and trying to come up with new ways to kill off perfectly good random characters. Rhys Ford was born and raised in Hawaii then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain. Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur, a black Pomeranian puffball and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and a purple Bella coffee maker.

For More Information

Better Believe: A Story of Hope by Ruby Lee Tuesday Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: Better Believe
Author: Ruby Lee Tuesday
Publisher: Trafford
Pages: 132
Genre: Biography
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 Ruby Lee Tuesday was born to be her father’s property. Trapped in an abusive home where only perfect was good enough for the devil, Ruby attempted to distract herself from his ways through her music, poetry, art, and most importantly, her faith in God. Tuesday shares a heartbreaking story of childhood trauma as she bravely pursued her dreams, despite living with parents who seemed determined to destroy her, both physically and emotionally. While providing a riveting look into the ways of an abuser, Tuesday details how her mistreatment eventually caused her to lose her faith, embark on a path of self-destruction, and succumb to panic attacks and depression. But through it all, Tuesday somehow managed to find solace and an escape in her music, ultimately leaving everything behind and bravely following her dream all the way from Norway to Nashville, Tennessee, where she would find faith once again. Better Believe is a story of determination, passion, betrayal, friendship, and hope as one woman journeys from the darkness of abuse into the light of healing where she learns to believe in herself for the first time.

  amazon   
 Ruby Lee Tuesday has spent years on healing both physically and spiritually. She is a poet, singer, and songwriter who plays a variety of instruments. Ruby left Norway in 2013 to pursue her dreams in Nashville, Tennessee. This is her first book.

Ruby Lee is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

645
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with John Herrick, Author of 'Between These Walls'

A self-described "broken Christian," John Herrick battled depression since childhood. In that context, however, he developed intuition for themes of spiritual journey and the human heart.

Herrick graduated from the University of Missouri—Columbia. Rejected for every writing position he sought, he turned to information technology and fund development, where he cultivated analytical and project management skills that helped shape his novel-writing process. He seized unpaid opportunities writing radio commercial copy and ghostwriting for two nationally syndicated radio preachers.

The Akron Beacon Journal hailed Herrick's From the Dead as "a solid debut novel." Published in 2010, it became an Amazon bestseller. The Landing, a semifinalist in the inaugural Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, followed.

Herrick's nonfiction book 8 Reasons Your Life Matters introduced him to new readers worldwide. The free e-book surpassed 100,000 downloads and hit #1 on Amazon's Motivational Self-Help and Christian Inspiration bestseller lists. Reader response prompted a trade paperback.

Herrick, who is at work on his next novel, admits his journey felt disconnected. "It was a challenge but also a growth process," he acknowledges. "But in retrospect, I can see God's fingerprints all over it."

Q: Please tell us about Between These Walls, and what inspired you to write it.

A: Thanks for letting me stop by! A few years ago, I caught a television news story about a high school student who had endured an onslaught of bullying because he was gay. He was on the verge of suicide—tired, desperate, filled with pain. The news story centered around a video the student had posted online. In the video, the only way he could bring himself to express his hurt was to page through words he’d written in black marker on sheets of paper. Here sat a kid who looked like an average high school freshman, wiping tears from his eyes, seeking someone to hear his cry for help.

My heart broke for that kid. I’ve never met him. I don’t know if he’s alive today. But I’ll never forget him. I thought to myself, “Nobody that age should know what it’s like to feel that kind of pain.” A high-level concept for Between These Walls already resided in the back of my mind, but the heartbreak I felt for that kid was my catalyst for action. That evening, I resolved to pursue Between These Walls.

Q: What themes do you explore in Between These Walls?

A: I love stories that inject faith into the tough questions of life. In Between These Walls, my main character, Hunter Carlisle, is a Christian with a secret attraction to other men. Much of Hunter’s journey is rooted in the fear and isolation he felt while coming of age, so Between These Walls ties those past experiences into his life as a 26-year-old adult today. The novel takes readers to the crossroads of faith and love, and digs deep into the internal turmoil of a man with a secret. It explores homosexuality and its impact upon one individual’s heart, soul, mind, and emotions. It also challenges readers to consider the pain that might lie beneath the surface of what we see.

Q: Why do you write?

A: I write because I die a slow death inside if I don’t. I love the writing process, but writing itself feels like lifeblood flowing through me. It’s a “must” for me, but a good kind of “must.”

Q: How picky are you with language?

A: What a great question! My top priority is to make sure my words flow from the heart. I don’t write to win awards; I write for people, including those who struggle. For me, the dialogue must be realistic, and the prose must reflect the personality of the character whose point of view I’ve adopted. Those factors drive how strict or flexible I am with words.

Q: When you write, do you sometimes feel as though you were being manipulated from afar?

A: My best concepts seem to come when I don’t seek them. A character will arise in my heart, grab hold of me, and won’t let go until I tell his story. If I ignore him, he tugs harder until I relent. I believe it means someone needs that character’s story. The process fascinates me. It’s like walking through a small miracle.

Q: What is your worst time as a writer?

A: With every book, I face a fear that I’ll sit down to write or plan a novel and nothing will come forth—which, for a writer, feels like failure. No matter how many books I’ve written, the same fear arises. Yet it has proven an irrational fear. I’ve discovered if I simply show up and put my fingers to the keyboard, something will come forth.

Q: Your best?

A: Hearing from a reader who says a book has impacted his/her life. Yes, I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with the completion of a book project, but the privilege of touching someone’s life—the rewards don’t get better than that.

Q: Is there anything that would stop you from writing?

A: I’m a firm believer in the adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” With rare exception, you can find the time or resources you need to take your next step—though it might take a little creativity to dig it up. I’ve discovered one key to writing is to do it anyway: If you’re afraid, do it afraid. If you’re depressed, do it depressed. If you feel like a failure, do your best and pray that God will use it anyway.

Q: What’s the happiest moment you’ve lived as an author?

A: The moment I saw my first book in print and held it in my hands. I’d waited 25 years for that moment!

Q: Is writing an obsession to you?

A: Yes! When you’re a writer at heart, a fire burns in you. You need to release it. If I go too long without writing, I feel like I die a slow death inside. That sounds melodramatic, but it’s precise: A deadness settles in, and it drains the life out of me, ounce by ounce, until I rekindle the fire.

Q: Are the stories you create connected with you in some way?

A: My novels are not autobiographical, per se. That said, I believe a piece of the author winds up in every story, and I’m no exception. Sometimes I’ll draw on a past experience or background detail to help shape a character. But I believe an author works himself into his stories on a subconscious level, too: An author’s personality might lurk in various corners of his prose, or he might channel his emotions into a character’s dilemma.

Q: Ray Bradbury once said, “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” Do you agree?

A: Let me put it this way: Although I love to create stories and dig down into characters, the process has also proven therapeutic for me. I’ll channel my emotions into the character’s struggle, where the emotions are similar but the circumstances or struggle are different.
For example, in my novel The Landing, the main character, Danny Bale, has grown frustrated with unrequited love and is on the verge of abandoning his dreams. When I wrote that novel, I wasn’t struggling with that scenario—and I certainly didn’t live at the beach or perform music on weekends like he did! But I dealt with a lot of frustration and anger as it related to my job at the time, so Danny’s frustration and anger became a symbol of my own. So yes, when reality gets me down, writing becomes a haven where I can sort through the mess. Plus, showing up for book work adds a steady rhythm to each day. Jobs, circumstances and relationships change, but writing is one of my few constants.

Q: Where is your book available?

A: You can find it at Amazon and the usual retail outlets. If they don’t have it on the shelf, they can get it for you. And a sidenote here: My nonfiction book, 8 Reasons Your Life Matters, can be found as a free e-book at most retailers.

Q: Do you have a website or blog where readers can find out more about you and your work?

A: My website is www.johnherrick.net. My blog is johnherricknet.blogspot.com. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter. I love interacting with readers!

Monday, February 16, 2015

Love is the Essence of Time by Samuel Douglas Book Feature - Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!



Title: Love is the Essence of Time
Author: Samuel Douglas
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 114
Genre: Family/Relationship
Format: Ebook
 Purchase at AMAZON

 This book is all about love as seen through the eyes of the author. Love Is the Essence of Time explores his deepest thoughts as he seeks to relate his understanding of the most powerful word on earth. He attempts to answer burning questions that affect everything that love touches. It is one of those books straight from the heart.

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 Samuel Douglas was born in the parish of St. Catherine, in Jamaica. His family relocated to the parish of Clarendon, closer to the center of the island, where he spent his childhood years. He enjoys playing football attending church and listening to gospel music. However his greatest joy is being around people and making them happy. His goal in life is to do whatever it takes to put smiles on the faces of all the people he meets, and to brighten their days. In fact, he wrote this book about love to do just that. Samuel now works in Canada, where he shows everyone he meets that a good smile is a sign of happiness, especially when it comes from the heart

Samuel is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Certificate or Paypal Cash.
  • This giveaway begins February 16 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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Thursday, February 12, 2015

The Last Grand Master by Andrew Q. Gordon Book Feature - Win a Kindle Voyage!

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The last grand master Title: The Last Grand Master (Champion of the Gods #1)
Author: Andrew Q. Gordon
Publisher: DSP Publications
Pages: 350
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback/Kindle

 In a war that shook the earth, the Six gods of Nendor defeated their brother Neldin, god of evil. For the three thousand years since, Nendor and the Seven Kingdoms have known peace and prosperity. But then a new wizard unleashes the power of Neldin. Meglar, wizard king of Zargon, uses dark magic to create an army of creatures to carry out his master's will. One by one, the sovereign realms fall. Soon the only wizard who can stop Meglar is Grand Master Farrell, the Prince of Haven, the hidden home of refugees. An untried wizard, Farrell carries a secret that could hold the key to defeating Meglar-or it could destroy the world. While helping Nerti, queen of the unicorns, Farrell saves Miceral, an immortal muchari warrior the Six have chosen to be Farrell's mate. But Farrell approaches love with caution, and before he can decide how to proceed, Meglar invades a neighboring kingdom. Farrell and Miceral find themselves in the middle of the battle. Farrell pushes himself to the limit as he and Miceral fight not only to stop Meglar but for their very survival.

  FOR MORE INFORMATION
Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting to the times, he now writes with a shiny new MacBook that he sets on the same desk as his manual typewriter and vintage adding machine. Long a fan of super heroes, wizards and sports, Andrew’s works include high fantasy, paranormal spirits, magic as well as contemporary fiction. He is still trying to find the perfect story that will include all his favorites under one cover. He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his husband, their young daughter and dog.  In addition to dodging some very self-important D.C. ‘insiders’, Andrew uses his commute to catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high fantasy, baseball and occasionally sleeping.

For More Information

   

Andrew is giving away a Kindle Voyage!

Kindle Voyage
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one Kindle Voyage.
  • This giveaway begins February 10 and ends on February 27.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, March 2.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway