Christian magazine listing...

This blog is listed in a Christian magazine. Kind of cool. The magazine has a lot of interesting articles in it as well. http://www.bookfunmagazine.com/i/101204

Bloggers Wanted....

With the upcoming release of my second book, The World at War, I am looking for bloggers willing to host me for a book spotlight, book review, author interview, guest blog, etc for the month of February 2013. I'm looking for a different blogger for each day of the month. If you are interested please send me a message. Thanks so much.

Still Lolo by Lauren Scruggs

Still Lolo by Lauren Scruggs
ISBN:  978-1414376691
Publisher: Tyndale Momentum
Hardcover (290 pages)
Ebook

Book Synopsis:

Join Lauren Scruggs as she reveals the story of the night that changed everything for her. . . .

“The night was dark and rainy. Shadowy clouds were thick above us in a starless sky. For some reason I began to feel cold. The heater was on in the tiny plane, but what I felt wasn’t that type of cold. It was more of a tingle. A shiver. I took a deep breath and looked out the window.

‘Nice lights,’ the pilot said.

The feeling shot up my spine again. Unmistakable fear. This is stupid, I thought. Completely stupid. Not the experience of flying but this definite feeling of dread coursing through my body. Get a grip, Lo, I told myself. You need to relax.

Up in the air, the atmosphere grew calmer. The rain let up and turned into a slight mist. It might have even stopped. There was no thunder or lightning. No strong winds. All I heard was the friendly drone of the plane’s engine and the occasional crackle over the microphone’s earpiece. But I still couldn’t shake this crazy fear.

I couldn’t shake it at all.

A stunning and unexpected tale of tragedy, survival, and true beauty. For fashion journalist Lauren (“LoLo”) Scruggs, a short flight to look at Christmas lights turned into a nightmare when she was struck by the plane’s spinning propeller blades.

As Lauren was rushed to the hospital, fighting for her life, the world watched in shock and horror. Several major surgeries and thousands of prayers later, Lauren was still alive. But she had suffered brain trauma and lost her left hand and left eye. Some thought that this would be the end of everything for her, a beautiful young woman working in an industry focused completely on appearance.

They were wrong.

In Still LoLo, Lauren reveals what really happened that night, how she survived against all odds, and what her life is like today. She is unflinchingly honest in the face of difficult questions: What kind of future will I have? Will anyone be able to love me now? Where is God in all this pain? Through her story, Lauren calls us all to live a life without fear and to overcome whatever challenges threaten to limit us.

Containing never-before-published photos and personal stories from Lauren and her family, Still LoLo is a compelling and fiercely beautiful account of faith, determination, and staying true to who you are—no matter what.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.

Lauren Scruggs or Lolo as she likes to be called, had her life totally shattered as a young adult when she was accidentally struck by the propellers of a private plane. This story was about how the experience affected not only Lauren and her family but the entire community. The story is told by not only Lauren but different members of her family as well. While different members of the family are telling the story from different aspects; the story flowed smoothly together as though it were being told by one person. It talked about Lauren's courage in her journey to recovery and her family's journey to restoration.

I loved how the author made you feel as though you were part of the family. It was as though you were right there with her, experiencing what she and her family were going through. You could feel their pain, their hope, their joy as they talk about different things throughout the experience. This was one book that I could not put down, although at times I had to force myself to put it down to avoid tears. This is one heart-wrenching story that no one should ever have to endure. But it is wonderful to see that Lauren not only made it through this trial and tribulation but she excelled at it pulling from the strength of her family, her friends but most importantly from God. This book was very well written, easy to read (although parts of the story were hard to read because of what was happening). The author did a wonderful job of captivating the audience and keeping their attention.

I give this book 5 stars out of a total of 5. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good book to read; anyone who loves a good heroic book of courage and faith.

Read an excerpt of the book here: Chapter One

Introducing Author Dyane Forde

Hello Dyane and welcome to my blog. Why don't we start off with you telling us a little bit about yourself?

I am a working mom, so I do not have the time to spend writing that I would like, but I do my best to find the time. I am a Christian but not everything I write is 'Christian' based. I like to write about how I see the world, and the questions that I ask about the world; I like to focus on the internally driven character, the inner world and the motivations of the character . I guess that's what I get for being a social worker... My writing has been influenced by Hemingway (minimalist style) and Virginia Wolfe influenced me to examine the inner workings of a character.

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

There are three books planned in the series. The Purple Morrow is the first. The second, Wolf’s Bane, is in the process of being completed and I’m very excited about that. It follows the main character‘s (Jeru) journey as he continues to discover his role in the unfolding events, and as he searches for Kelen, the Rover commander who wreaked so much havoc in book one, and whom we learn has a special role in Jeru’s life. Book three, still unnamed, tells of the conclusion of the clash between the Northmen and the Southernmen, and all mysteries are revealed.

 Here’s the blurb for The Purple Morrow: 

Ten years ago, the Northern Rover army nearly decimated the peoples of the Southernlands in their search to locate and destroy the one thing that could thwart their plans of total conquest: the Papilion. Only fourteen at the time, Jeru suffered terrible personal losses. Miraculously, that day he was saved from certain death, however, ill-fortune continued to shadow his steps, forcing him into a life of bitterness and solitude.

The Rovers return to the Southernlands, trailing death and despair in their wake. The Purple Morrow, agent of hope and renewal, comes to Jeru in his dreams, setting off a series of incredible events, which lead him to discover the redemptive power of love, and ultimately, his true destiny.

I love to write about people who are struggling through difficult things and who must learn something from the challenges they face or from the choices they make for the good (or the bad). That thread seems to run through everything I write.


What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?

I generally like to read anything that is well-written and which doesn’t conflict with my personal values too much. I think fantasy and sci-fi are my favorites, but I often find that there is a major conflict of values in the themes or the story itself, which makes it difficult for me to continue reading. That’s actually one of the reasons I chose to write my own books; I wanted to produce the kind of stories that I wanted to read.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

All criticism is hard to take. I think we all write with the hope that everyone will like our stories and the ways we choose to express them in a novel. We pour our hearts and soul into them, we sacrifice a lot to bring our dream into being, so it definitely hurts when someone gives a nasty review. That said, we need CONSTRUCTIVE reviews and comments to make sure that we produce the best story we can. The trick is to be able to pull the good out of every review, even the harsh ones. I’ve found that the most helpful and challenging reviews often contain the best feedback, but you have to have a tough enough skin to see and accept it.

The best reviews or comments are the ones when the reader tells me they were moved by something I wrote, or that they were able to connect with one of my characters. When that happens, I feel like I’ve done my job as a writer.

When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

I love working on the computer. I think way too fast for my hand to keep up with me, which makes for extremely messy pages, lol Besides, having to do all that rewriting by hand would be intolerable.

What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

Lol It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a book to read for fun. Since I’ve started writing books, every time I pick up something to read, I end up analyzing it, trying to learn how the author did something I haven’t figured out how to do, or marveling at a phrase, sentence or something. Or, I figure out why I don’t like the story and try to make sure I don’t repeat it in my own work. But when I do choose a book to read, it has to be well-written. What happens is that whatever I read influences how I write, so if I read something great, I find my prose is suddenly much sharper, for example. The opposite happens when I read something that’s not quite up to that standard. I love to read Margaret Atwood. She is so witty and smart, and she has a magical way with words that I find intriguing. So I often tend to read her work, hoping that even just a smidgen of her genius will rub off on me. J

What has been your favorite part of being an author? What has been your least favorite?

I love getting into a flow, when the words start flowing and the ideas just come by themselves. I love seeing a bare first draft start to take shape as I fill in the missing parts. I love getting feedback from readers who were touched by something I wrote. What I do not like is the constant worrying that a book is never ‘finished’ or that there’s something I missed or that I need to keep fixing. Also, trying to find a means to get my story from my computer into print is a major challenge. Its very time-consuming and at times, very discouraging.

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

I’m a social worker by profession.

Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take their advice?

I had one high school teacher, I think 10th grade, who really enjoyed my stories. After my last English exam, she came to me and gave me a collection of the stories we had studied that year and she told me to keep writing. That was a very memorable moment for me.

We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

I am not a lover of reams and reams of description. After a while, I just find it too much and I start to tune out. That’s probably one reason I love Hemingway so much. He barely put any detail into his stories, but somehow, there was just enough so that I could still fill in the blanks. His was a style I tried to emulate for a while.

I also don’t like books that spend too much time on action and plot but don’t take any time to build their characters. I read one book like that, and when I got to the end, I felt cheated.

What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

I would love to write literary fiction. I just admire the skill and thought that goes into those books, as well as the fact that often, those writers take risks. I set specific goals and challenges for myself in every book I write to test myself and to help me grow, but I’m no where up to that level, yet. But I’ll keep trying!

Read an excerpt: Purple Morrow | Wolf's Bane

Contact the author: Facebook | Twitter

Stop the Insanity by David Welch

Hello David and welcome to my blog. Stop the Insanity Target 2014 has a pretty big objective: Making a major change in the U.S. Congress. Have you made any progress?

Yes, I’ve recruited a few Independent candidates for the 2014 election and even figured out a way to help them raise money for their campaign.
Have any of the billionaires you mention in your book agreed to run?

Not yet, I’m still working on that but it will probably take awhile. They are not easy people to get a hold of and will take a lot of persuading.

Well who have you recruited and how did you get them to agree so far in advance?
I managed to get a list of Independent candidates who ran for Congress in the 2012 and reviewed their webpages and looked at how they did in 2012. Then I contacted the most promising and asked if they wanted to run again. So far three have said they would seriously consider it.

How can they win in 2014 if they lost in 2014?
If they run they will be part of a group of candidates and not just running as Individuals. The message to voters will be that as a group they really can make a difference. Also this time around they will be far better organized, have a consistent platform by following ideas in my book, and hopefully be better financed.
How can you help them raise money?
My idea is simple: In March or April I will update my book and raise the price to say $5.99 for the e-book version. Then I will offer a number of free download days and each candidate will contact their entire mailing list asking them to download my book and contribute the $5.99 they would have paid, or hopefully a bit more, to their campaigns. So in essence they will offer their followers something of value in return for a small contribution.
What changes will you make to update your book?

Well the foreword will be changed. The 2012 election results will be old news so I plan to discuss what happened with the Fiscal Cliff instead. Also I will include a new appendix section with pictures and brief bios of the candidates who have agreed to run, or seriously consider running, at that time.

Any other changes?

One other thing, I will have a new chapter or appendix featuring questions and answers which will show the best questions and answers from interviews like this and from radio talk show interviews as well. The idea will be to give readers a deeper understanding of my ideas and how we really can change Congress and our countries future.

Stop the Insanity By David Welch

ISBN: 978-1480117327

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Softcover (152 pages) 

Book Synopsis:

A manifesto for those who are fed up with our dysfunctional government in Washington and who would like to do something about it. A plan for change and a description of twelve important issues along with ideas on how to improve our country. A must read for all independent thinking Americans who are concerned about our country and the direction it is headed. An equal opportunity criticism of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party which have combined to create an unworkable government structure. Help save our country. Read the book and take action.

I received a complimentary copy of Stop the Insanity for the purpose of review.

Stop the Insanity was a thought provoking interesting read on politics and ideas of how to fix our dysfunctional government. David Welch does a good job of explaining different areas and ideas in the political field. While I may not agree with all of his ideas, I found that he has some very good points that certainly need to be addressed as a nation. His writing style is not only informative but very easy to read and understand; even for those who aren't really into politics. The book was well written and well thought out. David Welch put a lot of passion and heart into his writing, you can tell that this is a topic that he is definitely passionate about. I recommend this book for any who want to learn a little more about  politics and anyone who's really into politics, it'll make you seriously think about some things.

I rate this book with 4 stars out of 5.

Purchase the book: Amazon

Introducing New Writer Tony Colina

Hello Tony and welcome to my blog. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to interview a new and coming author. Please start by telling us a little about yourself.

I live and work in Sicily. I'm in my middle forties and an English teacher and musician. My narrative works, novels and stories, are still unpublished.

I have so far written four novels, one of which - Of Rust and Rain - in English, and fifty-odd short stories. If one should label the things I do, 'magic realism' or 'slipstream' would probably be the catchphrases, although I hope there is some spark of originality and, why not, singularity to be found in them. As for my reading tastes, I could say I enjoy many kinds of things, mainstream and underground alike, provided they transmit me something. after all, no matter what some say, emotion is what art is all about, isn't it?

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

Strange as it may sound, this novel was inspired by the vision of a man on his early forties who smells rust everywhere on a rainy day. Nothing else. Basically what was to become chapter one of the story. At the beginning I had no other info on him or his past or future life. It all started from there.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

The toughest criticisms and the biggest compliments received so far regard the language and the peculiar style my novel is written in. Sentences are very often chopped down to the minimum, there are lots of mantra-like repetitions, proper grammar isn’t always respected, and there’s a good amount of foul mouthing and onomatopoeia thrown in. My supporters think it is very brilliant and it creates a great rhythm, as if it was poetry; my detractors think it’s too strange and not at all readable. Of course, I pay attention to each piece of criticism and try to learn from it.

When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

I tend to use pen and paper when I write short stories, whereas for novels I generally use my pc (provided it works, that is) 

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

I am a teacher. I teach English.

 Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

Well, I have been a musician all my life, and now and then I paint, too. 

What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?

Music has a great power on me, so I don’t always listen to it when I write, because I want to concentrate on my writing. When I listen to something, it’s usually music that can flow in the background and can be absorbed by me on a sort of subconscious level. So it’s basically dark ambient, or atmospheric things, some psych folk, things like this. No Frank Zappa, or Crass (whom I love).

What are you currently reading?

‘London, an Autobiography’, by Peter Ackroyd – ‘Weaveworld’, by Clive Barker – an unauthorized biography on Banksy (I usually read more than one book at once) 

  Who are your favorite authors?

James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Will Self, David Peace, George Orwell, Charles Bukowski, Jonathan Carroll, China Miéville, Stephen King, Thomas Pynchon, Jonathan Swift, Chuck Palahniuk, Alasdair Gray, Irvine Welsh, and a lot of others...... 

What authors inspired you to write this particular novel? Why?

David Peace has been a continuous source of inspiration, as regards the style.

 Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview?

I’d like to invite everyone to have a go at my novel. A lot of people at authonomy seem to appreciate it so much. You could be the next. Why not having a try? It’s a story of loss and attempts at redemption. Reading it could be rewarding. Thank you.

Contact the author:  Authonomy |  Facebook

Faith by Heather Bixler

Faith - 4 Week Mini Bible Study

In this four week mini Bible Study you will examine your faith and what it means to have faith in God. He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 Our faith begins with what we know and believe about God. Our faith will carry us how far we are willing to let it take us. Faith is a choice and we need to begin by choosing to believe in Jesus and His power to move mountains, heal the sick, and save us from all our sins through His sacrifice on the cross. When we believe in God we then learn to walk in faith and trust God. But first we must believe, and it's up to us, we can either choose to believe in Him or not. But faith will mean nothing until we believe with all our heart that God is who He says He is.


Praise for Faith
Don't have time to read a long book on faith? This study will give you simple tools to understand faith and help you to develop a closer relationship with God. ~Lorilyn Roberts

This is a great book that allows you to start looking deeper into faith. I love the fact that there is a lot of scripture reference so one can look into the Bible and further study the word. ~Shraon

This study was a wonderful lift to my faith. I encourage others to take this short journey to an increased faith. ~Shirley Strait

Purchase

Print * Ebook

Author Heather Bixler

Heather is a Christian Stay at home homeschooling mom of three, married to a firefighter, and a writer. She is founder of www.CSAHM.com among other websites for Christian mothers, and women. Heather is passionate about sharing God's word in a practical and loving way.

Blog * Twitter *  Facebook

BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/3/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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Every Ready Soul Comes by Elizabeth Bowers

Every Ready Soul Comes by Elizabeth Bowers
ISBN: 978-1434369215
Publisher: AuthorHouse 
Softcover (436 pages)

Book Synopsis:

Every Ready Soul Comes, is an incandescent work of fiction in which a true seeker searches for herself as she travels through the worlds of God. Her celebrated life and career in Sector One leaves her unfulfilled and feeling the need to go on searching for a more fulfilling purpose to justify her existence. She passes through tunnels of cold and desolate places. Her many travels are arguably the most thrilling and significant elixir of self knowledge and character development. Her power to influence others as well as circumstances grows with each step along the cobblestone path of her ever changing reality.

 About the author:

Born and raised in Absecon, a small town in Southern New Jersey, Elizabeth Bowers spent her childhood looking for ways to make sense out of life. This search blossomed into a passionate need to understand eternal truisms. Her father, a Christian minister, taught her about the Christian Faith, from a fundamental point of view. But Bowers saw deeper meaning in Biblical metaphors and similes. After a lengthy career in human services and involvement in human rights and positive social reform she retired and began an earnest quest for a greater connection with Spirit. This has lead Bowers on a spiritual journey that continues to this day. Along the path, she has studied the writings of many of the world's religions and through that study, has developed an understanding of spiritual law and the impact that our own thinking has on our lives. She learned that prayer and meditation, when practiced diligently, keep us aligned with Spirit as we travel the worlds of God. Bowers has discovered for herself, as have others, that are thoughts are creative. Through thought control, we can participate in the creation of our own world view. Elizabeth is the wife of William H. Bowers. Together they have two children and four grandchildren. She has written many short stories, vignettes and journalistic articles. She is the compiler and co-author of "Pieces of The Tapestry", and is a prolific poet and student of metaphysics. Among her published works are "The Inner Garden", and a children's book, "Poetry Can Be Fun", She holds a Master of Arts Degree from Lindenwood College, (now Lindenwood University) and has been very active in the field of the humanities for more than forty two years. Look for her upcoming novel, "EPACE". 

Purchase the book:  Amazon |  Barnes&Noble

Shadows of Pain by Ashley Dawn

Shadows of Pain by Ashley Dawn
AISN: B0067OHSNU
Publisher: Suspense Publishing 
Ebook


 Book Synopsis:

Revenge is sweet…unless you are on the receiving end of it.

“Do you know of anyone who would want…you dead?”

Officer Daniel Jenkins was no stranger to the dangers his job posed but usually he knew who was trying to kill him. Being stalked was a completely different ball game, and he wasn’t sure there were any rules…

“…I need you.”

Terrified didn’t even begin to describe how Kami felt with the stalker targeting her. As an FBI agent you were trained to handle stressful situations, but being the victim put the whole process in a different light.

As the killer gets closer, so do Kami and Daniel, but will they live long enough to see their love bloom?

Only God can save them from this unknown killer…

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for the purpose of review. The review was my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.

Shadows of Pain is a Christian suspense that weaves a tale of various coincidences surrounding Daniel, Kami, Aurora and Jordan. It starts out with a motorcycle accident that turns out not to be accidental. There's a killer out there with his heart bent on destroying a family employed in the criminal justice field. Ashley Dawn takes you on a fast-paced journey that will leave you on the edge of your seat unable to put the book down until you finish it. Her incredible ability to draw the reader into the story is captivating. She keeps your attention throughout the entire book and ends the story with you wanting more.  Although this is the third installment in this series, of which I have not read yet the previous ones, she does not leave you wondering what was going on prior to where this book starts. Ashley Dawn has done a marvelous job with this book and I'm looking forward towards reading others by her.

This was a fast-paced, excellent read and I recommend this as a must read for anyone who wishes to read an exciting suspense story. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.


Purchase the book here:  Amazon | Barnes&Noble

 About the Author:

Author Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent's office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant.

Ashley has been writing professionally for the past seven years and "Shadows of Pain" is her third published books. Her first book, "Shadows From The Past", was originally published by Tate Publishing and is considered more of a traditionally published book while the second, "Shadows of Suspicion", was published by self publication using AuthorHouse. She is currently working on multiple projects including a standalone mystery about a serial killer that remains untitled.

Ashley also has a review blog to share her love of reading, Ashley's Bookshelf, where she reads and reviews books of all genres. She and her family make their home in Texas.

Contact the author: Blog

Liebling An Adventurous Life by Jenny Mansell-Black

Liebling An Adventurous Life by Jenny Mansell-Black
ISBN:  978-0987366108
Publisher: Angel Solutions Pty Ltd
Softcover (68 pages)
Ebook

Book Synopsis:

This is Liebling's story as seen through her eyes. Her life of adventure is tracked through the 1980s with photographs and colour paintings: People will say that I was no ordinary German Shorthaired Pointer. Although born of pedigreed parents, I was not considered good enough for competition. But that didn't stop me from leading an adventurous life with my human mother, Jenny. I became a part of Jenny's tennis and business life, and acquainted myself with the neighbours and the gas workers. When I became a mother, oh the dramas! I did have a tendency to wander and my daughter assisted by digging the escape hole, while my sooky son refused to leave and would howl the alarm. We moved to a quaint little village where I fell in love with the family down the road, attended parties in the village and raised a Persian Chinchilla (cat, for the uninitiated). Moving to the Gold Coast meant more trouble. I frequented the casino and the local shopping complex and was kidnapped. I spent my retirement in sunny Manly snatching ice creams from unsuspecting small children at the local fair and seizing sausages meant for family barbecues. This is my life and a true Australian story.

Purchase book here: Website | Barnes&Noble

Meet the Author:

 Jenny Mansell-Black is a Fundraising Consultant in Brisbane, Australia. She has been published twice in Australian newspapers for her stories on “The Cat” and her pet magpie “Gimpy”.

Today I Have David Welch With Us

Hello David and welcome to my blog. Thank you for allowing me to interview you today.  Please tell me about your current novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

My book, “Stop the Insanity Target 2014,” is intended as a manifesto for people fed up with our dysfunctional government in Washington and who would like to do something about it. My plan is to inspire 30-40 electable Independent candidates to run for Congress in 2014. The book describes twelve issues and offers ideas to deal with these issues. The hope is that Independent candidates can use these issues and ideas as a basis for their campaign. I also expect others who read the book to support these candidates to help them get elected.

My ‘inspiration’ was simply a disgust over the direction our government is heading and the apparent inability of either Democrats or Republicans to do what is best for the American people.

What are some of your favorite genres to read? Has this had any bearing on what you write?

I am a big Science Fiction fan. With Science Fiction we can write about a future in which the various problems in our society are successfully solved. Hopefully the ‘solutions’ in our stories will attract attention in the real world and inspire our leaders to do what is right.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

My first, unpublished, novel was Mankind’s End, a Science Fiction story that provided ‘solutions’ to some of the world’s problems. I was strongly criticized for introducing politics into a novel. That was one reason my current book is not a novel but a manifesto that explicitly and openly deals with real world political problems. I posted drafts of Stop the Insanity on Authonomy and received a number of criticisms concerning my views on different issues such as crimiinal punishment and education. As a result I changed my ideas in some cases and in others rewrote and rewrote to make my points clearer and better documented. Authonomy members provide a great service in this regard.

 What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

An interesting tale with credible characters. Something that makes me want to finish the story in one sitting.

 Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

Actually I’m semi-retired so have lots of time to write and to promote my new book. I do help my brother in his mortgage modification business and am proud to say we have helped save the homes of more than 100 homeowners who faced foreclosure. This experience has taught me how big banks mistreat their borrowers for their own financial gain. Some of the cases we have dealt with found their way into my chapter, “Too big not to fail,” on big banks which explains how we must break up the big banks and end the revolving door between Wall Street, The Federal Reserve, and The U.S. Treasury Department.

Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

Playing with and taking care of my dog, Toppy. He is a Border Collie mix and very clever and active. We walk three miles or so each day more for my benefit than his. He wakes me at 5:00 a.m. each morning so I can open the door while he goes out front and brings in the morning paper. I wrote a bunch of short stories about Toppy and put them together and posted them as a book, Tales from the Top, on Authonomy. The stories are from his viewpoint and I hope anyone reading this interview will take a look. Just search for Tales from the Top.

We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

Logical inconsistency. I hate it when the pieces don’t fit together.

What authors inspired you to write this particular book? Why?

Ron Paul Thomas Friedman

Ron Paul because I greatly respect his honesty and agree with most of his views but want to clarify where we differ.

Friedman because he has a very interesting, and mostly accurate, view of the world and writes so elegantly. Again I feel a need to put into words some ideas that differ from his.

What 7 words would you use to describe yourself.
Honest, passionate, thoughtful, stubborn, flexible, creative, and I hate to say it but a bit lazy.


Which is your favorite character in your book and why?

Actually there are no ‘characters’ in my book but in the appendix I list 16 billionaires who I believe would make great Independent Congressional candidates. I have two favorites on this list. Mark Cuban because he is a bit obnoxious but bright and articulate. I am sure existing members of Congress would not be thrilled at having to debate with Mark. Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google because on election day he challenged whoever won, Obama or Romney, to quit their Political Party and become an Independent President acting in behalf of all Americans. What a great idea!

Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview?

Of course, I’d love for them to read my book. At least read the first few chapters and then pick the issues they are interested in from the table of contents. If they agree I’d love for them to sign up for my mailing list by going to my webpage. And finally if they, or someone they know, are a good prospect to run as an Independent Congressional Candidate in 2014 please let me know.

Stop the Insanity Target 2014 by David Welch
ISBN: 978-1480117327
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Softcover (152 pages)
Ebook

Book Synopsis:

 A manifesto for those who are fed up with our dysfunctional government in Washington and who would like to do something about it. A plan for change and a description of twelve important issues along with ideas on how to improve our country. A must read for all independent thinking Americans who are concerned about our country and the direction it is headed. An equal opportunity criticism of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party which have combined to create an unworkable government structure. Help save our country. Read the book and take action. For details see www.stoptheinsanitytarget2014.com

Purchase the book here: Amazon

Contact the author here: Website

Introducing A New Author, Jim Henry

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing author Jim Henry. Hello Jim and welcome to my blog. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I have been writing ever since I learned to read. As a teenager, I dabbled in fiction writing, and as an adult pursued a bachelor's degree in Communications from St. Joseph's College in Maine, and a Master's Degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Antiquity Calais: Standing at Armageddon is the first in a series of novels collectively known as the Universal Life Force Series. I presently teach English Composition and Communications classes online and reside in New England with my family.

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

You know the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade?" That's kind of the way I view my first novel, Antiquity Calais: Standing at Armageddon. Writing this book was a key part of my therapy as I recovered from a violent episode about 10 years ago. The villain, Leviathan Avalon, is loosely based on the man who nearly killed me. Being able to confront Avalon was very therapeutic for me.

What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?

The Universal Life Force Series featuring Antiquity Calais is a scifi/fantasy series, with strong spiritual themes. I am also planning a new series that will be straight scifi once I put the adventures of Antiquity, Gillian, Sherman and Mundoo to bed.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

I have gotten a lot of really positive feedback about Antiquity Calais: Standing at Armageddon. Some folks have said it was not their cup of tea, but even if saying so, they did say that it was not an overly preachy book, which was important to me. Regardless of the feedback I have gotten, I plan to write all the books in the series, because it is more important for me to finish what I started than to achieve critical acclaim. That said, I do love positive reviews, but I do not allow the reviews to let my head swell too much!

 What do you do when you are not writing? Do you pick up some from your to be read pile? 

I love reading to my children, so a lot of the reading I do tends to revolve around their interests. Presently I am reading the Harry Potter series to my 9 year-old daughter. She only recently became interested in those books, but I had previously read all of these books to my oldest son when he was a little younger than her. In fact, I wrote Armageddon while we were waiting for Rowling to publish the Deathly Hallows. I gave him the first draft of the book for his eighth birthday. He just turned 14, so this book has been a part of my life for quite a long time!

 When you walk into a book store, where do you head to first? Why?

To be honest, these days I am buying most of my books online, but in the "good ol' days" when I would go into a book store, I would have a book in mind that I intended to buy. Sometimes it would be a book to read to my son, sometimes it might be a reference book I need for my job as a teacher.

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it? 

I have not quit my day job, nor do I expect I would want to do so. I teach English Composition, Journalism, and Communications courses online, and I love it! So for me, whether I am writing myself or teaching others how to write more professionally, it all rolls into one.

 What is your favorite junk food vice?
A fully loaded pizza from Hungry Howies.

Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take his or her advice? 

I am so glad you asked! My mentor in high school was a profoundly tough, feisty English teacher named Dick Russo. At times in my life, he was the bane of my existence, as he marked up my essays with so much red ink they looked like a Christmas Tree! As tough as he was, Dick changed my life, challenged me to be the best I could be, and though I try not to be quite as feisty with my students as he was with us, no one has had a greater influence over me as a writer and teacher than Dick Russo from Greenfield (Mass.) High School.

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?

I am dedicating one book to each of my children, step children, grandchildren, and if I write enough, my God Children (I have two). They are all my inspiration!

 Who are your favorite authors?

There are so many. Of the names folks would recognize, Rowling would have to be one. Richard Bach, who wrote a lot of books about flight, was one of my early inspirations. I just love Jonathan Livingston Seagull (and have a copy of it in my living room, in fact!) I have also been blessed to meet many talented independent authors, including Virginia Lori Jennings, Bruce Goldwell, Stuart West, Sinead MacDughlas, Rue Volley, Dianne Gardner, Ruthie Derby, Victoria Adams, just to name a few. There are so many of them that I hope I have not offended anyone by leaving them off the list. I have been blessed to meet many great people, particularly through Facebook and the Where Writers & Authors Meet page.

Contact the Author:  Facebook | Website

 Antiquity Calais: Standing at Armageddon by Jim Henry
ISBN: 978-1448668496
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Softcover (316 pages)

Book Synopsis:

 Antiquity Calais is the Creator's Liberator. Leviathan Avalon is Satan's most prolific Destroyer. Avalon has learned how to control the Universal Life Force and use it as his most potent form of destruction. He conjures the most powerful tsunami in the history of history, wiping out life along the Atlantic Ocean in the United States. Every coastal city from Portland, Maine to Key West, Florida is underwater. He believes he has committed the perfect crime, but there is a catch. Antiquity Calais is a psychic writer, and he has a vision of the attack as it unfolds, and before long Antiquity is hot on Avalon's tail, traveling through multiple universes, to the lowest depths of hell, until he and his friends Gillian Usha, Sherman Yazu and the Mighty Mundoo Asquith are all Standing at Armageddon.

Jim Henry began writing this book while he and his son Tyler were anxiously awaiting the release of J.K. Rowling's final Harry Potter book. Every night at bedtime, Jim would read a chapter or two of whichever book they were reading, and Harry Potter was Tyler's favorite. Although Antiquity Calais stands on his own two feet, with a unique story line that involves classic science fiction and fantasy elements, with connections to the Biblical Book of Revelations as well. The Universal Life Force Series is a classic tale of Good vs. Evil that parents can feel safe to read to their young children at bed time.

Purchase book here: Amazon | Barnes&Noble 

Book Trailer:  

 

Welcome Natasha Deen author of Angel Maker

Hi Natasha, it is great to have you this morning. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview with me. Please tell us a little about yourself.

When I was little, there was only one thing I wanted to be: a superhero. Then I realized that being a klutz was not, in fact, a super power, and my super weakness for anything bright and shiny meant a magpie with self-control could easily defeat me in a battle of wills.

What was a superhero in training to do?

I turned to writing young adult, urban fantasy, and romance as a way to sharpen my mental super-hero skills, and as a way to bide my time until I can hone my klutzy nature into a superpower. I don’t get to orbit the earth in a space station (and thank God, because I get sick on merry go round), but I do get to say things like: “Stand aside! This is a job for Writing Girl!!”


Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

For the last two years, human Aponi Runningbear has been training to be part of Grime, the magical police division tasked with protecting humanity from SOAP terrorists. But things aren’t going well. She’s barely keeping up with her studies, failing the physical component, and her Generalized Anxiety Disorder is making her bad days even worse. When her team is given the chance to find a missing coworker and stop SOAP from producing a DNA-altering drug that’s killing humans, Aponi grabs hold of the chance to show she’s meant for Grime. But as the investigation heats up, she’s forced to deal with the tormentor from her past, dead bodies, and the certainty that SOAP’s going to win this battle. Humanity’s dying, Grime’s in trouble, and she’s failing…does a foster kid really have what it takes to save the world and herself?

It’s the second novel in the True Grime series…Aponi’s looking for a place to belong, a spot to call home. I work with a lot of adults & teens who are looking for that same thing, and they definitely inspired the tone and texture of the story.

When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

I use both. When I’m writing down the ideas and doodling, I use paper and pen, but when the outline is done & it’s time to write, then I hit the computer because I can type faster than I can write.

Compared to when you first started writing, have you notice any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?

My style’s become more eclectic. I’m writing everything from inspirational to spicy comedies, to YA. When I first started out, it was straight romance. Plus, when I first began, if I could do two pages in a day, I was proud of myself. Today, it’s got to be at least five before I call it a day…

What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

Ack. I’ve become HORRIBLE at reading for fun. I find it very hard to disengage the student side of my writing brain and just read for reading’s sake. If I don’t like the voice, character or plot, I put the book down. These days, for reading to be fun, it also has to inspire my writing side.

 What has been the strangest thing that a reader has asked you?

It wasn’t the strangest question but it was an alarming statement. I once had a parent tell me they liked the premise of my stories but couldn’t buy them because their son wouldn’t read stories with female leads, and I admit, I was stunned by this.

The person obviously loved their child but I found it astonishing that they would blithely go along with this…I mean, let’s face it, if their kid had said, “Forget it, Mom/Dad, I won’t read any stories with black leads,” I’m sure the parent’s reaction would have been vastly different.

It’s sad to me that in 2012, women are still considered so The Other that readers (and certain agents/editors/publishers) won’t take the story if it’s a girl lead…but on the other side, it’s exactly why I write strong, female leads. I like funny, smart, courageous women—heck, I see them every time I step out my door. Why wouldn’t I write and celebrate their lives?

What is your favorite junk food vice?

Oi. Rice Krispy squares.

 Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

I’m exceedingly fond of rubbing the furry bellies of my two dogs and two cats, and cuddling in with them and my husband for a night of television watching.

We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?
I can handle a lot of things, but inconsistent characters—women who are supposed to be strong but sound shrill, men who are supposed to be alphas but are abusive—take the cheese out of my sandwiches. I can’t stand poorly written characters.

What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?

I have to listen to my music with headphones, because I find I get very into one song and will listen to it over and over…which is great if you live alone, but (as the police explained) is considered a form of torture when your husband is home. :P

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?
This is from my dedication page:

I knew a girl in junior high who was a foster kid. She had this amazing ability to smile and chat and make you laugh, while at the same time, keeping you at arm’s length because she wasn’t sure you’d be there when morning came…with her history of being shuttled from one school to the next, heck, she wasn’t sure she’d be there when morning came.

One day, I came to school and she was gone.

I never saw her again.

I think about her often and wonder where life took her and how she’s doing. I hope she’s doing well—I hope she’s doing more than well. I hope she’s doing fantastic and in her adult life, she’s been able to find the happiness she searched for in childhood.

 Angel Maker by  Natasha Deen
Genre: Urban-Fantasy, YA,
Publisher: Blueberry Hill Press
Paperback (302 pages)

E-book

Purchase:  Smashwords | Createspace | Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | B&N 

Book Synopsis:

For the last two years, human Aponi Runningbear has been training to be part of Grime, the magical police division tasked with protecting humanity from SOAP terrorists. But things aren't going well. She's barely keeping up with her studies, failing the physical component, and her Generalized Anxiety Disorder is making her bad days even worse. When her team is given the chance to find a missing coworker and stop SOAP from producing a DNA-altering drug that's killing humans, Aponi grabs hold of the chance to show she's meant for Grime. But as the investigation heats up, she's forced to deal with the tormentor from her past, dead bodies, and the certainty that SOAP's going to win this battle. Humanity's dying, Grime's in trouble, and she's failing...does a foster kid really have what it takes to save the world and herself?

Contact the author:  Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

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