Monday, April 27, 2015

Wash Me away by Wendy Owens-Guest post





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Monsters have a way of following you.
Immersed in a new world at boarding school, Addy Buckley learns she’s not the only one with secrets. While trying to navigate the minefield of painful lies that seem to be rattling around her family’s past, she meets soft on the eyes and heavy on the heart, Napoleon Blake.
When faced with the darkness, Addy must decide to cling to her new life and friends or let the monster carry her away. The choice is hers, sink or swim.




About Wendy Owens
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 Blog      Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads
Wendy Owens is a 34 year old author, born in the small college town, Oxford Ohio. After attending Miami University, Wendy went onto a career in the visual arts. For several years she created and sold her own artwork. In 2011 she gave her true love, writing, a try. Her first novel flowed from her in only two weeks time, as though it had been fighting to get out. That moment was when she knew she had found her calling. Wendy now happily spends her days writing the stories her characters guide her to tell, admitting even she doesn’t always know where that might lead. Her first series, The Guardians, will be concluded with the fifth and final book in 2013.
When she’s not writing, this dog lover can be found spending time with her tech geek husband, their three amazing kids, and two pups, lovingly nicknamed stinks and chubbs. She also loves to cook and is a film fanatic.

For more info on Wendy’s young adult fiction visit http://wendy-owens.com/
If you want to follow her on social media you can visit: the links above just click on them, I did.
This blog posting presented by Lightning Chronicles and markmywordsbookpublicity.com Introduce her to a friend by reblogging or sharing
Talk back, I'm listening

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Thank you

Most of us, including me are so busy writing, blogging and reviewing that we forget to say thank you to those that daily give unselfishly their time to re-blog, re-tweet or share something we posted that they think the world would benefit from. My tweets normally get blogged many times by these people. Some are tweet teams from groups I am a member such as #ASMSG and #RRBC  without whom I would never get as many re-tweets. I first started re-tweeting others a lot back when I met several others in the M.A.R.Social group. Now I host several blog tours, one is coming up in the morning. I wish to Thank them for allowing me the privilege to host them. Another person I wish to hank is you, the reader for without you known of this would be worthwhile for many of us. 

Thanks, talk back, I'm listening have a great day and enjoy what remains of your week end.   

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

"IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC...": The Poetry of Forbidden Love" celebration of INTERNATIONAL POETRY MONTH!


Day 4/Post 1 of the “CELEBRATING POETRY AS LOVE” BLOG TOUR
Thank you all for allowing me to celebrate INTERNATIONAL POETRY MONTH with you by sharing excerpts from my first co-authored poetry book,  “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC…” The Poetry of Forbidden Love.  Here is a bit of the book’s introduction below:
“Ever read poetry that was so soothing, so mellow, and just so perfectly sweet, you felt it should have been a love song?  “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC…” is just that kind of poetry…but it’s also poetry written about forbidden love.
Back in the summer of 2014, I was approached by an up-and-coming author by the name of Giani Jordan.  Giani said that he had been following my writing for over a year and was extremely impressed.  He was reaching out to me because he wanted to collaborate on a poetry book.  Well, since I didn’t know Giani and wouldn’t attach my name or my writing with just anyone, I asked if he would send me a few samples of his work, and he did.  I was blown away by the intensity and the depth of this man’s writing, and wanted to know more about this person he clearly was in love with and was writing so fervently about.”  
In summation, Giani was in love with a woman {Christine}, who belonged to another, and to make this situation even more complicated, he, himself was also involved in a relationship.
The “snippet” of poetry which you are about to read below, is one where Christine is sharing with the world how much her forbidden, distant lover means to her.  Take a peek:
“PRICELESS”
There are many things that can be easily measured in dollars and pounds…
But what he gives me is priceless.
It’s a blessing to have tons of friends around…
But what he gives me is priceless.
I’m aware the cost of clothing and material things…
But what he gives me is priceless.
I’m aware the joy that having kids brings…
But what he gives me is priceless.
(MISSING VERSES)
So, although there is much that comes with cost
His love is given freely and without it, I’m lost.
Because all that he gives me…PRICELESS.
If you’d like to read the balance of this particular piece, I invite you to pick up your own copy of “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC…” The Poetry of Forbidden Love on Amazon.  I’d also like to invite you to follow this tour in its entirety as each day, at each stop, you will find more and more of these love songs without music, and even more reasons to fall in love with your lover, and Poetry, again. If you aren’t in love when you start reading this book, you will go seeking a love afterwards.
Please visit my complete tour line-up HERE, and at each stop that you leave a comment (including this one), your name will be entered that number of times, into a random drawing for a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!!
Thanks to my awesome host for today, and thanks for stopping by, dear Guests.  I hope to see you every day throughout this amazing tour to help keep Poetry alive!!!  Always remember, that Love IS Poetry…they’re truly one in/and the same.
Author Bio:
Nonnie Jules is a mom, a wife, an author and also President of Rave Reviews Book Club.  Her passion is children and her advocacy lies in supporting others and encouraging others to do the same.  She has authored other fine books such as:  “The Good Mommies’ Guide to Raising (Almost) Perfect Daughters,” “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND (A Novel),” and “Sugarcoatin’ Is For Candy & Pacifyin’ Is For Kids!”
Although Poetry should be celebrated every day of the year, the month of April has been set aside specifically to lift it up , and so this is why Nonnie has embarked on this blog tour to keep it alive and bring awareness to the fact that Poetry is a great medium for release and expressions of all kinds.

PURCHASE LINKS:
THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS: www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56
DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND:  www.amazon.com/dp/B00GLM2VVM
SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS: www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRIA014

CONTACT:
Twitter:  @NonnieJules
Blogs:


 Thanks for dropping by Lightning Chronicles 
 Talk back, I'm listening

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Why do I host so many blog tours and not push my books.

A lot of readers of this blog and my other blog wonders why I very seldom mention my books instead push all these other writers. The answer is simple, I believe my readers and followers would like to get to know some of these other authors that I highlight and their works. As a reviewer, I get the privilege of getting to know some of their works and think you might want to as well. One thing as readers, everyone has different tastes and what rocks your boat may not be what turns me on. Like all readers, I sometime stumble upon a good book that I didn't know was even out there. I am a history buff, SiFi buff and everyone once in a while a reader of other genres. 

My support of these authors is in hopes of one reader picking up a book and finding a hidden gem. They tell another and then another about it. With millions of books out there it is difficult for any author, unless they are a big name author with many best sellers, then they don't need or most likely want my help in getting discovered. I don't insert anything about any of my own books when posting about another because I do not feel it is right. That is like you baking a cake and me adding a little hot sauce into it just for kicks. 

Go ahead and talk back, I'm listening  

Friday, April 17, 2015

Not in the mood to write but the story in my head says "Yes"

Feeling a little "Blah" right now. I don't know why but my mind wants me to go write the next scene in my book "Dangerous Rescue" but it also knows I am not in a writing mood. So it decided to have me blog instead.  It is funny how your mind pushes you to complete something even when you are not feeling well. I guess to calm it, I will have a couple of drinks and read one of the books I am suppose to review.  Maybe I will feel better and get into the writing mode. Who knows, I surely don't not right now. Have you ever gotten into one of those moods where you don't feel like writing? Normally, whichever story I am working on rolls through my mind while I am doing other things, such as today adding additional support around the doorway floor up in the hayloft that feels mushy. With my book rolling through my head not letting me focus. I had to cut one board three times to get a straight cut then work over my head to install the bracing. A five minute job took almost an hour because of my lack of concentration on the task at hand. 

Just one of those days when I should have spent it writing instead of working outside. The sun came out and when it is warm and sunshiny, I hate staying inside. I want to do something outside even though my mind figured I should be inside on the keyboard. Maybe, someday I will get a portable computer but until then, I will have these mental battles. Have a good weekend, talk back. I'm listening!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The Unraveling of Shelby Forrest by Donna Friess

Take a Look at The Stunning Cover of

The Unraveling of Shelby Forrest

by Donna Friess

Cover_Front
Title: The Unraveling of Shelby Forrest
Author: Donna Friess
Genre: Women's Fiction > Contemporary Women >Domestic Life >Parenting & Relationships > Adoption
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"As someone who has adopted children, I found this emotionally charged, complex first novel, written by award winning author, Donna Friess, draws you in immediately and holds you in its' thrall from the first page to the last. The author explores the grief, guilt and pain of giving up a baby for adoption and the secrets that can tear apart a marriage." Leanne A., CA  
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"There are surprises and tears, smiles and laughter, when I finished the story I was asking for more. The characters are complex and the story delivers the harrowing and heart-wrenching story of so many women that have had to make these impossible decisions. It is a must read for any parent." -Micki Harris, CA  
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"Our job in this lifetime is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it." - Donna L. Friess, Ph.D.
 
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"We see the gentler side of humanity here. The message of both hope and love was inspiring. I LOVED this book." Kriss M., CA "Written with love and warmth, the book draws you in and keeps you eager to learn the outcome, which is satisfying, yet surprising." Catherine M., Florida  

donnahat2014

About the Author

Donna Friess’ story of being forced to take legal action to stop her father from continuing to sexually abuse his four year-old granddaughter, reached 50 million people worldwide. With appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and others, her autobiography, Cry the Darkness, (1993 Health Communications), became a best seller, printed in seven languages. Dr. Friess She is an expert in recovery from trauma. She has authored six books, and is a member TTAC (Technical Training and Advisory Consortium) through the Office of Victims of Crime, U.S. Justice Dept., she was nominated for the American President’s Service Award.
DSC_3262Donna L. Friess, Ph.D.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

UPSIDE DOWN by LIZ GAVIN Blog Tour

UPSIDE DOWN TOUR
Thank you AWESOME READER for visiting today and AMAZING HOST for having me in your blog!!

RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB
As I said on my first post this week, - if you missed it just check the lineup for UPSIDE DOWN BLOG TOUR at 4WillsPublishing site and read it. Then hurry back here. We'll be waiting for you!! - I've pounded the proverbial pavement, albeit the online one, for the longest time before finding an oasis where writers are truly appreciated based on fundamental characteristics such as talent, commitment and support of others. Yes, I'm talking about the AWESOME book club that Nonnie Jules put together to generously help promote fellow indie authors. She is so amazingly supportive and hardworking she's known to us as ‘WonderWoman’. Let me tell you Nonnie would give the super-hero a run for her money if Diana Prince existed in real life. That's how great Nonnie Jules is!

I'm proud to serve on the Governing Board of Rave Reviews Book Club as Admin Assist 2 and I assure you there's NO OTHER PLACE for Authors and Readers to be. For those of you who don't know RRBC yet, let me tell you my story.

On February 1st 2015, I woke up to some great news.  My book Luck of the Irish was # 112 in the Kindle Store. Granted, there had been a FREE PROMO on the day before but I celebrated the ranking position anyway. The book had had 2,045 downloads in a single day and that alone was quite an achievement for an indie book with an advertisement budget of exactly $0. Yes, ZERO! LOL

However, I ALSO knew I couldn’t have done it without Rave Reviews Book Club and the support of its amazing members. You see, I had joined the club a year before but, aside from some reviews and tweets, I hadn’t been an active member until January 2015, for many personal reasons that had nothing to do with the Club.

During January 2015, I volunteered for the Tweet Team (which has been an AWESOME experience so far), became a Blog Tour Host, participated in blog tours as visitor and as an author, NONNIE JULES received me for an interview on her famous shelf, the Governing Board invited me to work with them, and this month of April Luck of the Irish has been chosen as one of the three BOOKS OF THE MONTH. It’s the highest honor for an author- member and I still haven’t recovered from the shock of having been chosen! I found out a couple of hours ago, so forgive me if I’m still pinching myself! LOL

Voilá! RRBC’s slogan came to life – SUPPORT others and you’ll be SUPPORTED. It’s as simple as that and that is the BEAUTY of this ethos, which in turn creates an invaluable supportive system, a safety net that allows us to dream of higher flights.

But don't take my word for that! Check out our website and read some of the testimonials there and you’ll understand why Rave Reviews Book Club is THE PLACE for you to be!!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next leg of my UPSIDE DOWN BLOG TOUR! Check the lineup for UPSIDE DOWN BLOG TOUR at 4WillsPublishing site to know where to go.
Please, leave your thoughts below before you go!

______________


Author Bio
When Liz Gavin was in Second Grade - just a couple of years ago, really - her teacher told her mother the little girl should start a diary because she needed an outlet for her active and vivid imagination. She was a talkative child who would disrupt the class by engaging her colleagues in endless conversations. She loved telling them the stories her grandfather used to tell her.
Apparently, the teacher wasn’t a big fan of those stories, and Liz’s mother bought her a diary. She happily wrote on it for a couple of months. Unable to see the appeal of writing for her own enjoyment only, she gave up on it. She missed the audience her friends provided her in class. She went back to disturbing her dear teacher’s class.
Since then, she has become a hungry reader. She will read anything and everything she can get her hands on – from the classics to erotica. That’s how she has become a writer of erotica and romance, as well.
As a young adult, she participated in a student exchange program and lived in New Orleans for six months. She fell in love with the city and its wonderful inhabitants. NOLA will always hold a special spot in Liz Gavin’s heart. Nowadays, living in Brazil, Liz’s creativity has improved many times because it’s such a vibrant, gorgeous and sexy country.
Welcome to her world of hot Alpha males and naughty, independent women. Add a touch of the paranormal in the presence of some wicked souls and you’ll get the picture.
Contact Information
Twitter handle =  @LizGavin_author

____________

Book Blurb

Carol Anne Sullivan is a tough New York stock broker. She's suffered enough in order to learn a hard lesson - never let love spoil her relationships. Her boyfriends know that rule from the start. She's domineering and assertive but also faithful and fair while the relationship lasts.
Mark Aikens is Carol's boyfriend. He's been in love with her for a while but his submissive side hasn't allowed him to rebel against her golden rule and to tell her how he feels. Fear of losing her forever might spur him into action.
 Cindy O'Rourke has admired Carol from afar. So, she jumps at the opportunity to work for her idol. Little does she know, things will never be the same for her after that job interview
Carol has been going through a rough patch: world economical crisis, dysfunctional parents, demanding clients, faulty equipment. Without much time for herself, her love life is suffering. So what is the big deal if she fantasizes about a new employee when her boyfriend, Mark, can't give her what she needs? The big deal is - the new receptionist, Cindy, is a woman who threatens to turn her world upside down
This is the steamy tale of an unconventional love triangle which should be read with an open mind and an open heart. Sometimes, love comes to our lives in unexpected ways but with such overwhelming power that the best course of action might be to surrender to it.
Book link on Amazon US = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFMMJY0
Book link on Amazon UK = http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IFMMJY0

____________

4WillsPublishing Links:
Rafflecopter Giveaway:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4af5be7f16/



"This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com."
 

  Lightning Chronicles is happy to be today's  blog host. Drop by anytime for some great reads.  

Friday, April 10, 2015

WILL O' THE WISP book tour by Craig Boyack

What I wanted out of this story

Will O' the Wisp is the newest release from C. S. Boyack. It involves a mildly handicapped girl facing a mysterious threat. The wisp has been killing off Patty Hall's family for generations, and she's next on the list. It is suitable for young adult readers.

I've blogged many times about how I set challenges for myself with each novel. These won't be evident to the reader, but they help me grow as an author. At various times the challenge is as simple as writing a buddy story, or using fairy tale structure.

In Will O' the Wisp, I wanted to add another tool to my writer's toolbox. This is my first story written in first person point of view. It involved a little hair pulling at first, because "meanwhile, back at the ranch" isn't possible. If Patty Hall can't see it, read it, or hear it, it cannot be inserted into the story. It's a wonderful challenge, and one every author should attempt at least once.

I also wanted to use some of my suspense techniques. I have a living document where these tips have been languishing long enough. It was time to take them out and play with them.

There were challenges in writing this tale, to be sure. Not the least of which is a 54 year old man writing from the perspective of a 15 year old girl. Never one to run from a challenge, I referred to my raising of a fifteen year old girl. According to my advance readers, I pulled it off just fine. We authors worry about everything, and the reader is the ultimate judge here.

This doesn't mean all my other tools were off limits. I still managed to shoehorn in a couple of fairy tale elements. As an example, the color purple appears three times in the story at defining moments in Patty's journey.

I also relied upon a technique I call plants and payoffs. The story is filled with seemingly small elements that wind up playing more important roles later on. This is a fun technique to use. This is how 70s pop culture icon Euell Gibbons and the words of Abraham Lincoln got into my story.

Sometimes I am satisfied with my personal goals, sometimes they fall a bit short. This is all personal growth information, and doesn't reflect in the story itself. The stories are solid, and readers should enjoy them. In the case of Will O' the Wisp, all my goals were exceeded. I am very happy with this story.

Will O' the Wisp is suitable for a young adult crowd. All my advanced readers are adults, and they seem to have enjoyed it too. I never set out with a goal like that in mind, and don't shy away from adult themes. Several of my stories are better suited for adults. The Cock of the South can be brutal and bloody at times. Arson gets hot in more ways than one. Will O' the Wisp didn't need any of that, and it would detract from the story. I wouldn't be afraid to share it with my oldest granddaughter.

***

Patty Hall is perfectly prepared for the wrong problem. She is enamored with the space race, and knows the history of NASA by heart. She is faced with an ancient threat that has been targeting the Hall family for generations.  Hampered by an overprotective mother, if Patty can't figure it all out in time, she may be the next member in the Hall family cemetery plot.

It's not hard enough to be a fifteen year old girl, and a social outcast. As she watches her friends mature and grow, she has to face the idea of never turning sixteen. Please consider joining Patty on her incredible adventure.

You can pick up a copy on Amazon using your Kindle or a free reading app. Download it here:

North American version: http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B00UPH6BNS

International version: http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B00UQNDT2C

Follow Craig at the following locations:

Follow my blog: http://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com

Check out all my novels here: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ILXBXUY

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/Virgilante




Author Bio:
I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I'm not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.

I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.

I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.


 
Talk back I'm listening 

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Understanding, so much miss used

I understand, how you feel, I understand how think, I understand how it feels to be in your situation but really do we? Most of us toss that word around but never really want to step into their shoes. Most people keep others at arms length not sure what their real situation, mainly because we don't want to go there. Some people step out of their little worlds into the next person's world trying to get a grasp on what they are trying to understand but many of us hide behind the shields we create to feel safe and secure knowing we are not like others that we profess to understand, not willing to be one.

A big thanks go out to those that helped me come up with Muslim names for my book rewrite. Like all my stories, I make up their names but had no idea of what names especially Muslim women that were common.  Like other books, I made up any last names that I might need but most of my characters, hopefully no one finds them offensive but I needed them to spice up the story somewhat by adding more support characters. For those that never read the book, it is part of the Lightning in the Tunnel series where Brad and his many wives come to the rescue of a downed Jetliner we the intent to lead them to safety. Away from the craziness that swept LA after a nuclear bomb devastates it. The bomb triggers huge earthquakes that destroy most of California meaning Arizona was the nearest safe place.  At least on the surface it appears that way, read "Dangerous Rescue" for the whole story. Out in July of 2015!   

Talk back, I'm listening!

Monday, April 6, 2015

I need a little help, my friends

I am currently rewriting one of my earlier books renamed "Dangerous Rescue" aboard the jetliner I am adding eight Muslim characters. I need help in naming them with common names for Muslim's. Normally, I just make up names for my characters but I don't want to insult anyone. So I am asking your help in giving them names. They do not have to be actual names but sound authentic enough to be real.  I will describe my characters and ask for fitting names for each.  A man about twenty-nine with a female wife and ten year old son. The wife's brother about twenty-seven and his two wives and one daughter age six and a son age nine. If you can help me, I would appreciate this. either email me at agmoye.moye406@gmail.com or comment on this post. Thanks in advance for your help. I have not come up with their description yet but will do so in time.  Thanks in advance!

Talk back, I'm listening as always.