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What’s your favorite place in the entire world?
Disneyland. I love it and every year I pack up my kids and we spend a week there. Next to that it’s the Gulf Islands, each one is a jewel, and absolutely unique.
When and why did you begin writing?
For me, I have a need to write. I had always journaled. But never sat down to write a story. I am and always have been an avid reader. I devour books. And it was in 2003 I had this dream abut story and I sat down and started writing. I don’t know how long it took me but every morning before my children were awake I would be up two to three hours before them just writing.
How long have you been writing?
I began my writing career in 2003, that’s when I sat down to write my first novel. Now getting published is a different story, I didn’t receive an offer for publication until 2008.
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
It’s a tie really between Western Romance and Romantic Suspense.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I had a dream. Seriously, I did. It was this story and then I had a need to write it. Everyone morning I got up really early before my kids were awake and I wrote the story. It was then titled The Captain’s Lady, the publisher made some changes,but I received the rights back and with the help of my editor I rewrote the book, gave it a brand new title, and I believe now it’s a stronger story.
It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
Yes absolutely. You have to understand your genre first. And then find the readers. Blog tours, ads on relevant sites for your books genre, book blasts, ads on goodreads.
How often do you write? And when do you write?
I try to write every day, and always in the morning. Unfortunately as of late though I am getting only about five mornings to write.
Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?
You have to be organized to write. I am a single mother so I really have to organize, and be fiercely protective of my writing time. Every morning I write. I do not schedule meetings, appointments anything in the mornings if it can be helped. And I’ve had to tell people no, do not phone, drop by or anything in the morning, unless it is an emergency. And I try to write ten pages a day in that time, most days I can do it.
Have you met any people in the industry who have really helped you?
Yes I have. I have teamed up with an amazing group of authors some formerly traditionally published, and all using the Amazon platform and cross promoting each other. The one thing about our group, we play to win. Everyone is driven, succcessful, and some amazing authors. Two mentions are Carolyn McCray and Taylor Lee, there are many others behind the scenes as well, but Carolyn and Taylor have been two key authors in my success and have shared so much valuable information to stay at the top of my game.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I always hope that first and foremost that people will enjoy my stories. And for them to feel the emotion and injustice in the story my characters are living. Everyone is going to take something different away, they will either love or hate my characters. But the one thing I want people to feel good.
How do you tell a man there is something wrong with his child?
This is by far one of the best books I have read. Lorhainne Eckhart proved herself yet again by pulling you in with a heartfelt story and keeping your attention with the passion that fills the pages. ~ ROMANCE JUNKIES
A Real Tear Jerker: Omg, I loved this book. I stayed up all night trying to finish it. I cried, My heart broke, I have an 18 year old with autism. This would make a fabulous movie... Tammy
Overview:
He wasn't looking to love again. But what he got was a woman who shook his lonely bitter world upside down, and touched him in a way no other woman could.
Emily Nelson, a courageous young mother, ends a loveless, bitter marriage and strikes out on her own. She answers an ad as a cook and live-in caregiver to a three-year-old boy on a local ranch. Ranch owner Brad Friessen hires and moves in Emily and her daughter. But Emily soon discovers something's seriously wrong with the boy, and the reclusive, difficult man who hired her can't see the behavior and how delayed his son is. So Emily researches until she stumbles across what she suspects are the soft signs of autism. Now she must tell him, give him hope, and help him come to terms with this neurological disorder--to take the necessary steps to get his child the help he needs.
As their lives become intertwined, their attraction is unavoidable--a connection sparks between them. But just as they're getting close, Brad's estranged wife, Crystal, returns after abandoning the family two years earlier. Among the shock and confusion is one disturbing question Brad can't shake: How does Crystal know so much of his personal business, the inner working of the ranch, and Emily's relationship with his son?
Crystal must've had a plan, as she somehow gains the upper hand, driving a wedge in the emotional bond forged between Brad, Emily, and the children. The primary focus for care and therapy of three-year-old Trevor is diverted. The lengths to which Crystal will go, the lies, the greed, just to keep what's hers, are nothing short of cold and calculating. Emily's forced out of the house. Brad fights to save his boy, to protect what's his, and struggles over his greatest sacrifice--Emily, and the haunting question: Has he lost her forever?
More Praise for THE FORGOTTEN CHILD...
"Brilliant, there is no other word for it, heart grabbing, heart warming, gut wrenching, well written well researched, wanted to read it over & over again." Amazon Reviewer – Maureen
BLACK RAVEN'S REVIEWS - Ms. Eckhart has crafted a delightful story with engaging characters, enough drama for a Hallmark movie, and enough unconditional love to last a lifetime. ~Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by AJ!~
READERS FAVORITE *5 Star Review A real page turner ~ fast moving plot ~ a must read!
Reviewed by Brenda C. For Readers Favorite
I didn't expect I'd fall for the four main characters as hard as I did, but The Forgotten Child is an amazing book, not just for a romance fan like myself, but for single parents who may or may not have a child with autism. ~ Reviewer ~ Adria
Genre – Contemporary Western Romance
Stories behind my books: An Imperceptible Something by Vadim Babenko Our American business developed slowly. The first few years we had neither money, nor experience, nor connections. We made many mistakes but still held out until the quantity of our efforts turned into quality. We caught a break, and quick growth followed. We hired many new employees. They were divided into two, nearly equal, sections: an American part, engaged in marketing and sales, and the Russians, who developed our technologies. Between these two halves arose an intense, sometimes hostile, opposition. Almost the entire Russian part consisted of programmers who had just been taken out of Russia. The whole American side was of sharp, skilled men who had worked in successful hi-tech corporations. These were very polarized communities. The mediator between them was me: I managed all the internal life of the firm, while my partner was responsible for all the external. The marketing and sales boys had no love for the programmers because of their “wildness” – a total lack of the communication skills customary within an American company. The programmers disliked our Americans, sensing their contempt and mockery. I must admit, it was also hard for me to deal with the programmers – by this time I had distanced myself quite a bit from Russian habits and manners. Nevertheless, the situation required it, so I tried my best to reconcile these groups with each other. When enough programmers had arrived to yield some kind of critical mass, I suddenly sensed that my attitude toward them had shifted. I completely and definitely felt that in the Russian part of our firm something imperceptibly bright and lively was recreated and extended throughout: some sort of particularly Russian spirit from time eternal, which had once been so dear to me. I had been sure it had breathed its last, crushed and destroyed under the years of Perestroika’s “re-structuring.” Almost all the programmers were young people who had grown up in the 90s, the years of a terrible decline in everything intelligent and spiritual. Nevertheless, I understood that some important part of it remained – though it was disguised by the veneer of a new age. And then I noticed the two polarized halves were no longer so hostile. An interest arose in each toward the other – on its own; my efforts did not play a noticeable role. As for the programmers, this was natural: having gradually become acclimated, having ceased to hesitate and be frightened, one way or another they began to understand the country in which they now lived. But the Americans also, without having, it would seem, any reason to do so, sought to learn – feeling, as I did, that there indeed was something about the Russian part of the company that was worth getting to know. With increasing frequency they began to ask me questions about Russia, Russian life, culture, and so forth. All the more often, the American and Russian employees conversed together, despite the language barrier. We even started holding Russian parties with plenty of vodka – which became very popular among the Americans… I realized my notions of the country where I had grown up and then left were one-sided and not quite accurate. The animal instincts that had been unleashed at the beginning of the 90s could not suffocate an essential inner force, inherent in the earth and its people. Nevertheless, I was still far from going there again – even for a short vacation. 
His crafty plan results in a deadly threat. Her hopes keep her locked in a vicious circle. They parted ways, supposedly forever. But will they be able to live apart? Elizaveta, an attractive Muscovite, experiences a series of odd events: she is followed; she receives anonymous calls, flowers, and gifts. The culprit is her former lover, Timofey. He now lives far from Moscow and has a flourishing business, but a serious threat emerges when the daughter of a local mafia boss wants to marry him. Timofey knows his life is at risk if he says no. He creates a cunning scheme to save himself by staging a sham marriage with Elizaveta playing a primary role. Masterfully manipulating her feelings, Timofey persuades her to come visit him in his small town, but things soon take a dramatic turn. A seemingly romantic journey becomes a struggle for survival. Timofey and Elizaveta confront real danger when they least expect it. Love and deception reveal their essence when the best of intentions come into conflict with each other. The protagonists try hard to achieve their goals, but, in the end, each of them finds something much different instead. Illusion, ultimately, proves stronger than reality. And coincidences are often not so random after all. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Literary Fiction Rating – PG13 More details about the author and the book Website http://www.vadimbabenko.com/
12 Tips to Succeed as a Writer I often get asked what it takes to be a writer. This is not a simple question. There are several things you must do if you want to be successful, and most of them take time, hard work, and patience. If you are willing to commit, here is a list of things that will certainly help you on your way. 1. Be true to yourself. Write from your heart. Sure, vampires and wizards may be all the rage, but don’t write what you suspect the public wants to read. Find your own genuine voice. Never try to emulate an author you love. If you strike out on your own and establish something original (emphasis on original), you will find an audience. 2. Immerse yourself in the craft. No writer is an island. (Except maybe Hemingway, but you’re not Hemingway). Network with writers, readers, publishers, agents, old people, dogs, whoever can help you learn something new about what you do. You’ll be surprised what little tidbits you can glean here and there that will help you be a better writer and storyteller. 3. Read, and don’t stop. This is perhaps the most important one of all. Never stop reading. Read books you otherwise wouldn’t. Read books you’ve already read. Read restaurant menus with a critical eye. Language is an art – master it to the best of your ability. 4. Write, and don’t stop. Writer’s block doesn’t really exist. If you’ve reached a point in your manuscript where you’ve hit a roadblock, write something else. Write a song, a poem, a love letter to your high school crush. Get the words flowing and your mind will no doubt follow. Writer’s block is most often your brain telling you that you’re off in the wrong direction. The solution: change direction. 5. Learn new things. Life is all about knowledge, and so is writing. Learn about science, art, piano making, lawn care, water purification, sneezing, whatever! Knowledge and curiosity are the greatest foundation for writing. You never know where and when inspiration will strike. 6. Throw convention out the window. Use good grammar, structure a proper storyline, make it interesting, and off you go. Don’t feel like you need to follow a formula, and certainly don’t copy someone else’s. Readers are always starved for something new. Make something new. 7. Forget about money. If you’re writing to make a million dollars, or even to make a nice living, you’re not writing for the right reasons. Becoming a better writer should be your only motivation. That, and proving your parents wrong. 8. Share your writing. I can’t tell you how many would-be writers are afraid to let others read what they’ve written. This is a big mistake. If your grandmother wants to read your manuscript, deliver it to her by hand (because she can’t figure out the email machine). Let your friends read it, your boss, other writers, avid readers — anyone willing to read your writing is a great place to start. The longer you keep your writing to yourself, the longer it will take you to become a better writer. 9. Don’t take reviews to heart, but listen to them. All your friends love your book! Well big f’n deal (and no they don’t). Likewise, reviewers are not always right either. Some people will like your book, and some will not. Get used to that idea and embrace it. Crave it. Writing is an art. If your writing provokes the exact same response from everyone that reads it, you’ve done something wrong. Listen to what people say about your writing, and when you start to hear a theme emerging, you may be on to something. 10. Be prepared to doubt yourself. Only bad writers think they’re awesome writers. Have confidence, but know that there is always much to learn. Don’t think so? Read P.G. Wodehouse and see if your language skills stack up. Be the best writer you can possibly be. Make other writers love you and hate you at the same time, because if you’re really, really good, they will. Make that a goal. 11. Be prepared to market yourself. As a new writer, or even as one well established, you will need to do everything you can to help get the word out about your books. Blog, tweet, stand on the corner with a sandwich board and bell – whatever helps. (If you are John Grisham or J.K. Rowling, ignore this one). Be prepared to be your own best advocate and salesperson. And lastly, 12. Whatever you do, don’t ever give up writing. I don’t need to explain this one. 
Best friends Duncan and Ray run a successful bookie business in Phoenix. Outgrowing the life they began in college, the late twenty-something pair set out on the road with a plan to never return. Their trip takes them cross-country with eventful stops in Las Vegas, Omaha, and Niagara Falls. Along their journey they meet several colorful characters and even agree to bring a pretty young girl named Ruby along with them for the ride. Landing in Boston to run an errand for an old friend, the travelers begin to lay roots in an attempt to forge for themselves the life they’d always hoped for. Easier said than done. As romances begin to burgeon, and one of their lives is put in danger, the group quickly discovers that where they are may indeed have little effect on who they are. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Contemporary Fiction/Literary Fiction Rating – R More details about the author Connect with Brad Cotton on Facebook & Twitter Website http://www.bradcotton.com/
How do you feel about self-publishing?
I think for the most part, self-published authors tend to sacrifice quality for cost. They don’t think spending a few thousand dollars on a good editor is worth it, hoping their friend, who was an English major, is good enough. Or they buy stock photo images for their book covers instead of something custom. It’s one of the reasons self-published authors rarely make more than $500 a year by selling their books. On the other hand, if you want to publish your book just to say you’ve published something and not try to make it a career or business, then self-publishing is a great, cost effective way to accomplish that.
Do you find the time to read?
Absolutely. I think every author needs to at least read 12 books a year, at a minimum for your own education. There have been many times when I’ve read a passage and thought, ‘Wow, I really liked how the author phrased that’ or described something. Reading is learning for authors. Just this year alone, I’ve read 70 books.
How did you come up with the title?
Each title of the Legends of Amun Ra series is chosen with the specific purpose of highlighting the theme of the book. The Soul of the World’s theme is air and the name ‘the soul of the world’ is a Greek mythological reference to the god of air, Aether.
How did you develop your plot and characters?
I usually try to put my characters in realistic situations which force them to make challenging decisions. It pushes them to the limit of their growth if I make them go outside their comfort zone.
Who designed the cover?
The cover and logo of book 1, The Emerald Tablet, was designed by Reflection Studios. The silver logo of book 2, The Soul of the World, was designed by artist Joshua Ballze.
Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?
Of course. With each book I’ve grown as a writer. Book 1, The Emerald Tablet, focused too much on exposition and internal thoughts of the characters. So I learned from those critiques and penned book 2, The Soul of the World, with an eye towards action and dialogue. If the characters wouldn’t say it, I tried to cut it out. Surprisingly, when you edit out a lot of heavy-handed exposition, the flow of the book picks up tremendously because it’s all dialogue and action.
How much of the book is realistic?
There are aspects that are inspired by history. Such as in book 2, The Soul of the World, the character Axios mentions the Serpent Column in Plataea District of the Thothian Empire. However, a Serpent Column really exists in Istanbul, Turkey and was created to commemorate the Greek defeat of the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE.
How important do you think villains are in a story?
They’re just as important as the hero. I really try hard to not make my characters one dimensional. In fact, it’s one of the things I get complimented on the most, how three dimensional my characters are and how realistic they can be. I think authors need to spend as much time thinking about their villains as their heroes.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I travel once every few months to a convention or a signing. Hopefully, as the series becomes more popular, I’ll be doing more traveling.
Can we expect any more books from you in the future?
Yes, tons. There are 7 books in the Legends of Amun Ra series, 1 book in the expanded universe, three more books coming in a trilogy and I have a second trilogy planned in paranormal/urban fantasy.
Have you started another book yet?
I’m writing two books currently: book 3 of Legends of Amun Ra and an untitled piece set in the legends expanded universe. I’m also outlining 3 more books.
Do you have any advice for writers?
Don’t be so gung ho to finish your novel as fast as possible. We live in a world where quick, low cost publishing is only a few clicks away. But that doesn’t mean you need to publish Saturday what you wrote Friday.
When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? In terms of writing, I’d like to think someone learned something from my series, whether it’s something historical, mythological, or just about humanity. I want people to continue growing and challenging themselves.
The ancient powers lost to Potara have returned. The Brotherhood of the Black Rose rises to bring Thoth into disorder. And, while the Brotherhood reclaims their power, chaos reigns among the survivors. Six individuals have emerged from the aftermath struggling for control over their lives and a divided land. Kem and Shirin, who abolished the five thousand year reign of the Amun Priests, rule from the golden throne of the Oracle’s Chair in the Hall of the Nine.
Dio and Axios struggle to piece together a resistance worthy to challenge the ancient magic which resides in the Great Temple of Amun, and Leoros and Atlantia try to remain true to their hearts and their cause despite tragedy.
But when the Book of Breathings is discovered, the path to immortality is revealed. Leoros and Kem race to capture the Soul of the World unaware of the challenges awaiting them. This time, the gods themselves will intervene.
In a tale where boys become men and girls become women, where treachery and deception are around every corner, and where primeval mysticism finds its way back from the grave, victory is reserved for neither the good nor the evil, but the powerful.
Genre – Science fiction, Fantasy
Rating – PG-13+
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Given that both my novels were based on fact, and that the facts were not in my field of expertise, I had to go to enormous lengths to find mentors who could guide me in subjects like religion and science in general and energy and climate change in particular. Relative to actually writing the story, the research was probably 85% of the problem.
I spent 10 years of my life as a member of the Board of Directors of a Muslim family owned company and this was of enormous assistance in allowing me to understand the Muslim way of looking at life. It did not happen by accident. I told the elder statesman of the family when we first became business associates that one of my objectives was to learn about Islamic culture even though this particular family was not religious in the formal sense. He was/is a true gentleman and also a sort of elder statesman in his community. We developed a strong relationship of trust and I believe I helped him significantly in his business. Over the years I came to understand that the “traditional” Muslim values and the “traditional” Jewish values are very similar. But it took over a decade. I already had a personal relationship with a highly respected Catholic priest, who kindly gave me invaluable guidance as to the Christian perspective.
Similarly, it took around four years under tutelage of my world-class scientific mentor for me to finally get to grips with the issues surrounding nuclear energy, over-unity electromagnetic energy and climate change.
As I had spent over 30 years in and around the finance industry, the central banking and economic issues were “my meat” so to speak, but it had taken a huge amount of research over a period of 20 years to finally understand what really drives the global economy; and it was quite frightening to discover that the central bankers don’t really understand the implications of what they have been doing. Effectively, their actions have been blocking the arrival of (meaningful) new energy paradigms. By analogy, we are travelling in dangerously shallow economic waters which are hiding exceptionally sharp rocks from view; and largely without either a compass or sonar.
Ultimately, the fact is that “energy” is what drives the world economy and that’s why both my novels focus on alternative energies to fossil fuels. Writing the fictional stories was the fun part. But even that took me a couple of years to master under the tutelage of Beyond Neanderthal’s editor/publisher. The big challenge in writing the books (the other 15% of the work) was how to communicate all the facts without boring the reader to tears. That’s why my stories lean heavily on humour and on the very human interactions and adventures of the attractive characters. I also rely a lot on travelogue type writing, where I take the reader to exotic places. If the books are ever made into movies, those movies will be visually unusually compelling in those scenes.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Abso-defi-lutely-nitely yes! The whole point of writing those novels was to communicate a primary message of hope, flowing from the subsidiary messages which define the seven “core” problems facing 21st century humanity and present some potential solutions to those problems. To find out what those seven core problems are, you will have to read the novels.
Will you write others in this same genre?
My books fall within various genres and it depends on who is the potential reader as to what genre I choose to emphasise. “Conspiracy Thriller” is the main genre of both books – because the largest selling novel of all time (The Da Vinci Code) fell into that category with around 80 million books sold.
Another main genre is “Sci-Fi Thriller”, and I have tried to model my work loosely on Michael Crichton’s work, because he sold around 100 million copies of all his books combined during his career. However, given the intent of the third (as yet unwritten book) these two genres will be inappropriate. Other genres that I have focused on in my first two books are “Science Fiction” , “Adventure”, “Spiritual”, all of which will be appropriate for my third book. I may have to read Jules Verne’s various books again because his work was oriented towards what the future might look like; but I will be emphasising the value hierarchy of society that I believe will exist in the future, after the dust has settled following the next – and final – down leg of the Global Financial Crisis.
Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was in it?
Again, abso-defe-lutely-nitely yes! We have talked about the “hardest” part of writing the books. Well, overcoming those obstacles required me to climb a steep learning curve on all fronts.
How much of the book is realistic?
Where the science is concerned, all of it as far as I have been able to validate it.
Ditto where the modern day central banking/economic situation is concerned
Ditto where the subject of religion is concerned.
I have used author’s license in interpreting the meaning of some of the biblical passages to which I referred, but even that is within the bounds of reasonable probability. For example, by cross referencing selected information in the ancient tomes of the various religions across the planet, I was able to arrive at a startling conclusion that is objectively defensible and, to my knowledge, no one else has arrived at this same conclusion – yet.
The stories are totally fictional but, again, they are based on carefully researched fact. For example, the little town in the Dominican Republic is just as I have described it in Beyond Neanderthal, right down to the names of the owners of the various retail outlets. It is a matter of fact that the experiences of the two main characters as they flew through the Bermuda Triangle were capable of replication in a laboratory. Indeed, what I described was drawn from those laboratory experiments as augmented by actually reported Bermuda Triangle incidents. For another example, the intentions of the military Junta in Myanmar (in The Last Finesse) were deduced from carefully researched fact as provided by the Democratic Voice of Burma, amongst other sources. This begs the question as to whether the military Junta has genuinely let go of the reins of power when they allowed democracy to prevail, or whether they have just changed tactics.
There is an energy force in the world—known to the Ancients—that has largely escaped the interest of the modern day world. Why? There are allusions to this energy in the Chinese I-Ching, in the Hebrew Torah, in the Christian Bible, in the Hindu Sanskrit Ramayana and in the Muslim Holy Qur’an. Its force is strongest within the Earth’s magnetic triangles.
Near one of these–the Bermuda Triangle–circumstances bring together four very different people. Patrick Gallagher is a mining engineer searching for a viable alternative to fossil fuels; Tara Geoffrey, an airline pilot on holidays in the Caribbean; Yehuda Rosenberg, a physicist preoccupied with ancient history; and Mehmet Kuhl, a minerals broker, a Sufi Muslim with an unusual past. Can they unravel the secrets of the Ancients that may also hold the answer to the future of civilization?
About the Author:
In 1987, Brian and his young family migrated from South Africa to Australia where he was employed in Citicorp’s Venture Capital division. He was expecting that Natural Gas would become the world’s next energy paradigm but, surprisingly, it was slow in coming. He then became conscious of the raw power of self-serving vested interests to trump what – from an ethical perspective – should have been society’s greater interests.
Eventually, in 2005, with encouragement from his long suffering wife, Denise, he decided to do something about what he was witnessing: Beyond Neanderthal was the result; The Last Finesse is the prequel.
The Last Finesse is Brian’s second factional novel. Both were written for the simultaneous entertainment and invigoration of the thinking element of society. It is a prequel to Beyond Neanderthal, which takes a visionary view of humanity’s future, provided we can sublimate our Neanderthal drive to entrench pecking orders in society.
The Last Finesse is more “now” oriented. Together, these two books reflect a holistic, right brain/left brain view of the challenges faced by humanity; and how we might meet them. All our problems – including the mountain of debt that casts its shadow over the world’s wallowing economy – are soluble.
Genre – Thriller
Rating – MA (15+)
Connect with Brian Bloom on Twitter
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT? I am passionate about several things: Gun control, the environment and whales. The first one I feel totally inadequate to do anything about other than sign petitions and speak out when I can. The second, the environment, I have been able to do something in a small way. With a small group of friends we published the first Green Guide to Costa Rica which continues to do good by helping people choose how to live more sustainable lives, how to protect their environment and how leave the smallest footprint. And my third passion – whales – I have been over-awed by the company of whales since 1998 when I took my daughter to Maui to work on a whale research project. The following year I took my son on a similar project in Newfoundland, in the North Atlantic. Since then I have gone back to Newfoundland almost every year and recognize many whales who return to the same spot (outside my window) every year. To me communing with whales up close in their own environment is an extraordinary experience. I feel privileged to be in their presence. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR FRIENDS IN YOUR LIFE? As a world traveller I am often not around to appreciate my friends enough. But I am fortunate to have friends that are happy to indulge my travels and forgive my absences. And, when I return to the fold, it is always as though I have never been away. These are true friends. And, yes, they do matter. Along with my children, they represent solidity and endurance. WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN TO YOU? Love is very hard to describe. Even when I am “in love” I am not really sure what that means. In truth I don’t think I’ve ever been “head over heels” in love with someone (other than teenage crushes!) where I have felt I simply cannot live without this person. My independent streak has unconsciously overtaken my emotions because I know how happy I am living alone. Yes, it is lovely to share life with someone you love, doing things you enjoy together, talking about your day and discussing your favourite topics. Love is definitely a beautiful state. I love my children. I love my grandchildren. But I also love my solitude, my peace and my tranquility and that only come with being single. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING?
I think I can only answer that question after I’ve been fully through the experience. I can then compare it to being published and marketed by a regular publisher. One thing I can say it is far more work for the author publishing independently. The competition out there, now than anyone and everyone can write and publish a book, is intense. But I’m enjoying the process. WHAT’S THE REASON FOR YOUR LIFE? HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT YOUR REASON FOR BEING HERE YET? That’s a deep question – the age-old conundrum: Why are we here? What are we doing? What does it all mean? Even the greatest minds in our world cannot agree on this. And I certainly haven’t worked out the answer. I turn to the Monty Python team and their hilarious movie, “The Meaning of Life” So, rather than speculate on the many hypotheses put forward by philosophers, priests and people who think they know all the answers, I would prefer to watch “The Meaning of Life” and accept that no one has a clue why we are here and what we are doing. 
“How the English Establishment Framed Stephen Ward” is a major expose of a government cover-up that has lasted half a century. It is a powerful story of sexual compulsion, political malice and ultimate betrayal. A number-one bestseller when it came out in 1987 under its original title, “An Affair of State”, the book reveals never-before-heard testimony that has been uncovered by the authors in the years since the scandal broke. Using startling new evidence, including Ward’s own unpublished memoirs and hundreds of interviews with many who, conscience-stricken, have now spoken out for the first time, this important account rips through a half-century cover-up in order to show exactly why the government, the police forces, the Judiciary and the security forces decided to frame Stephen Ward. Stephen Ward is now the subject of an upcoming Andrew Lloyd-Weber musical and this book offers a wider perspective on its complex, central character as well as a broader insight into one of the greatest scandals of the past 100 years. As the authors’ research reveals, Ward’s “trial of the century” was caused by an unprecedented corruption of justice and political malice which resulted in an innocent man becoming a scapegoat for those who could not bear to lose power. This is an epic tale of sex, lies, and governmental abuse whose aftermath almost brought down the government and shook the American, British, and Soviet espionage worlds to their core. With its surprising revelations and meticulous research, Ward’s complete story can finally be told. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Politics, Espionage, Scandal Rating – PG-16 More details about the author Connect with Caroline Kennedy on Facebook & Twitter a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tell us about your new book? What’s it about? Can you tell us about your main character? Along the Watchtower is about a tragic warrior lost in two worlds.
Lieutenant Freddie Williams war in Iraq ended when an IED explosion left his mind and body shattered. Once he was a skilled gamer and expert in virtual warfare. Now he’s a broken warrior, emerging from a medically induced coma to discover he’s inhabiting two separate realities. The first is his waking world of pain, family trials, and remorse—and slow rehabilitation through the tender care of Becky, his physical therapist. The second is a dark fantasy realm of quests, demons, and magic that Freddie enters when he sleeps.
In his dreams he’s Frederick, Prince of Stormwind, who must make sense of his horrific visions in order to save his embattled kingdom from the Horde. His only solace awaits him in the royal gardens, where the gentle words of the gardener, Rebecca, calm the storms in his soul. While in the conscious world, the severely wounded vet faces a strangely similar and equally perilous mission—a journey along a dark road haunted by demons of guilt and memory—and letting patient, loving Becky into his damaged and shuttered heart may be his only way back from Hell. How did you come up with the title? It’s from the song written by Bob Dylan and made famous by Jimi Hendrix. Here’s the final verse: All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too. Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl I thought the lyrics represented the mood of the book, the sense a wounded veteran might feel returning to the states to find everything in his life has changed. Tell us why did you wrote it? I’ve always been fascinated by how we perceive reality. Think of the film Rashomon, the classic exploration of multiple realities, where several witnesses to a crime describe events completely differently, each bringing their own life experience and biases into play. But it’s when we’re ripped from our normal life and placed in extreme circumstances that our reality becomes totally fragmented. Such is the case with hospitals and war. At the same time, I’d become engrossed in playing the online fantasy game, World of Warcraft, with my son, an avid player. With me on the east coast on him on the west, he suggested we meet weekly in the fantasy world of Azeroth—an invitation I could hardly resist. For several months, we had a Wednesday evening appointment, where our avatars would meet in this virtual world and go on quests together. I was struck by how totally immersed I could get in the game, how quickly time passed and the surreal mood of wandering around in castles and crypts, solving riddles and following quests. The fantasy gaming experience has a dream-like quality to it. And I began to wonder: how would this experience affect the dreams of someone whose reality has been fragmented by war, PTSD and traumatic brain injury. These concepts—war, hospitals, and the fantasy world of online gaming—came together in Along the Watchtower. When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? Long walks, bicycling, golf, dinner with a few close friends, time with my family, and travel. Do you have any tips on how writers can relax? Naps work well. One writer once said she liked to write in the morning after waking and after naps, so she could go from one dream world to another. 
WINNER: Readers’ Favorite Book 2013 Bronze Award Winner, Drama Category -Fiction A Tragic Warrior Lost in Two Worlds… The war in Iraq ended for Lieutenant Freddie Williams when an IED explosion left his mind and body shattered. Once he was a skilled gamer and expert in virtual warfare. Now he’s a broken warrior, emerging from a medically induced coma to discover he’s inhabiting two separate realities. The first is his waking world of pain, family trials, and remorse–and slow rehabilitation through the tender care of Becky, his physical therapist. The second is a dark fantasy realm of quests, demons, and magic that Freddie enters when he sleeps. In his dreams he is Frederick, Prince of Stormwind, who must make sense of his horrific visions in order to save his embattled kingdom from the monstrous Horde. His only solace awaits him in the royal gardens, where the gentle words of the beautiful gardener, Rebecca, calm the storms in his soul. While in the conscious world, the severely wounded vet faces a strangely similar and equally perilous mission–a journey along a dark road haunted by demons of guilt and memory–and letting patient, loving Becky into his damaged and shuttered heart may be his only way back from Hell. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy Rating – PG More details about the author and the book Connect with David Litwack on Facebook & Twitter Website http://www.davidlitwack.com a Rafflecopter giveaway
10 Things I Wish I Knew About Being an Author I Didn’t Know Before By: Samantha Warren 1. No one does it right the first time. Not even Stephen King. The first draft is always crap, and that’s okay. That’s why they invented editing. 2. It doesn’t get easier. As much as I would love to say it gets easier the more you know, the opposite is actually true. The more I learn, the harder it gets. But it’s also more rewarding because you know that you’re putting out the best possible book you can. 3. What worked for the last book may not work for this book. The publishing industry is changing so fast that marketing is a huge challenge. What may have made your last book a big hit won’t necessarily reap the same rewards for the newest book. You have to stay on top of your game, which leads us to… 4. Stay in the know. You have to stay on top of all the changes going on in the publishing world and social media. If you don’t, you’ll fall behind the curve and be left in the dust. 5. Self-publishing is not the devil. Like most people, I used to look down on self-publishing. But it’s really quite awesome. Any mistakes you make are your own, and you can fix them quickly. 6. Yes, you need an editor. I thought I was a good editor, and I am, but when you created the book, you need an extra set of eyes (or two, or three) to help you out. I had an editor once tell me that she cringed every time she heard someone say they liked the control self-publishing gave them because it meant they would be less open to her suggestions. While I don’t think that’s necessarily true, it could be for a lot of people. When an editor gives you a suggestion, take it to heart. Really look at what they’re saying, then decide if it’s right for your book or not. Don’t just write them off because you think you know better. 7. Even bad reviews are good. Bad reviews hurt, and they never stop hurting. When someone says your book sucks and they couldn’t finish it, or puts it in their “OMG make it stop” shelf on Goodreads, you’ll want to cry. But if the reviewer has done their job and actually given reasons for why they didn’t like the book, that review can be very helpful. It will allow you to improve in your next book and continue to grow. Also remember that you can’t please everyone. Not everyone will love your book. Some will hate it. And that’s just the way it goes. 8. You need a professional cover. Unless you have a degree in graphic design, it’s best to hire someone else to do your covers. Sure, you may be able to make a decent enough cover, but a well made cover makes a huge difference. And don’t use 3D models. They look cheesy. 9. Writing is an art; publishing is a business. It’s very hard to separate the writer mind from the publisher mind, but it must be done. Even traditionally published authors have to do a bit of marketing and business work. You have to be able to put your love of your book aside and treat it like a product in some ways. It’s your baby, but your baby is in a very big pageant and you need to realize that once the book is written, you become the coach, not the parent. 10. Just write. It’s so easy to get caught up in the marketing and social media jazz that comes along with publishing, but don’t forget the most important part: the writing. You should be spending more time on writing than promoting. 
She was raised to hunt faeries. He was raised from the dead. *** Aiofe Callaghan comes from a long line of faery hunters. Hired by one of the faery queens, they protect the human world from chaos and destruction. But when Aiofe stumbles through an open door into the land of Faery, she discovers the job isn’t as simple as it seems, and neither is she. Arthur Pendragon spent centuries in blissful nothingness, until the day the four queens banded together to raise him from the dead. Along with his twelve most talented knights, he leads the warring armies of Faery against the greatest enemy they have ever known: one of their own. Can they overcome their differences to confront the greatest challenges either of them have ever faced? Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords Genre – Paranormal Romance Rating – PG More details about the author & the book Connect with Samantha Warren on Facebook & Twitter Website http://www.samantha-warren.com/
10 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer By Mark David Major, Co-author of An Infinitesimal Abundance of Color 10. Read in diverse abundance. 9. Always edit out your favorite sentence, part, or passage. 8. Editing is not about achieving perfection but diminishing imperfections. 7. Getting feedback is important but it’s more crucial to learn when you should listen to feedback and when you should ignore it. 6. Shakespeare was always revising his writing. Don’t be afraid to put it out there and revise later. But don’t be sloppy about it either. 5. Write character profiles for yourself to better understand the characters you want to create. 4. It can be incredibly helpful to ‘cast the film’ to better understand your characters. Bonus: because you are a writer, you’re not limited to today’s actors but can cast anyone living or dead, famous or not. 3. Anything can be a source of inspiration: the key is to observe, not ignore. 2. Stop talking about it, just do it already. 1. Write what you love, love what you write, and the rest will take care of itself. 
An Infinitesimal Abundance of Color, written by Mark David Major and beautifully illustrated by Layce Boswell, tells the simple story of a father answering his daughter’s questions at bedtime. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Juvenile Fiction/Bedtime and Dreams Rating – G More details about the author and the book
Connect with Mark David Major, Layce Boswell on Facebook and Twitter
How do you write lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? Lap top in bed, or as now on couch, but have used pen and paper at a desk.
Where do you get support from? Do you have friends in the industry? I have a childhood friend that died while I was writing That Girl and he wrote some of Hollywood’s top films. Another childhood friend produced some famous movies and his father was Chairman of one of the largest movie production companies, yet I have not called on them for any help.
How much sleep do you need to be your best? 8 hours
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? My family
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? If only one person is blessed by what I have written, then that is success to me. Secondarily, I believe I have already succeeded in knowing that there are so many people that love my books, even those that hate my books, that is a form of success, because they have been moved enough to comment with words such as “Worst book I ever read”. For me it isn’t so much about money but about inspiring others and bringing enjoyment to them through story telling. My success can lead to others being inspired to write and tell their own stories. My youngest son makes me tell him a story every night and while I am usually too exhausted, the words come for no other purpose than for his enjoyment.
The Sovereign Order of Monte Cristo is a continuation of The Count of Monte Cristo (Book I), related through the voice of Sherlock Holmes and The Sultan of Monte Cristo (Book II). It includes exhilarating new adventures, characters, and ideas, carrying the reader past book I and II and into book III of an ever-expanding new series based on the classic.
Those who have already had the pleasure of reading The Sultan of Monte Cristo will certainly appreciate the unique way in which the Holy Ghost Writer has expanded the original story without the help of anyone (except perhaps from the ghosts of Dumas and Doyle).
In addition to comprising a 3rd sequel to The Count of Monte Cristo, The Sovereign Order of Monte Cristo serves as a prequel to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Genre – Action, Adventure
Rating – PG-15
Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.
Fortuitous Bumps 3 Melody checked her watch and then she did a sharp double-take. How had four hours slipped past so quickly? She couldn’t believe how fast she and Kevin had broken the ice. They connected at once and talked, really talked, about everything: classes, parents, friends, dreams, and fears. She felt a twinge of anxiety at the thought of their easy, refreshing evening coming to an end. However, with the lateness of the hour she knew Imani would be worried. “Oh my God, I need to get home before my roommate summons a search party.” Kevin glanced at his watch. “It’s 2:20? Wow, I can’t believe you seduced me like that!” “Yeah, right, you were definitely the one seducing me, making me lose track of time.” She placed one hand over her chest and held the other by her head pretending to faint. With her best Southern drawl she pronounced, “I was totally enraptured by your charm and captivated by your charisma, kind Sir.” “Oh brother!” Kevin laughed. “Could you have been any further over the top?” He stood, assisted Melody with her shoes and coat, threw on his jacket, and grabbed his books. “Well, seeing as I’m such a gentleman, I have no choice but to walk you home, Little Lady.” “Thank you, fine Sir.” Melody accepted Kevin’s hand and he helped her downstairs. They strolled out of the Union arm in arm into the cool, crisp night. Neither talked, but instead smiled at each other from time to time. The bright moon guided their steps along the path and Melody swore the stars winked down on them. They arrived at her dorm room far too soon. Reluctantly she released Kevin’s arm to wish him a good night. Before she could say a word, he swooped in close. Their noses almost touched and she could feel his breath tickle the fine little hairs above her lip. He leaned down so their foreheads touched and he placed a protective arm around her shoulders. “I know I’m being too forward, but I’ve told you more about myself tonight, than any ten friends know combined. You sparked something in me when you knocked me down. And I would be a little annoyed if you didn’t share these intense feelings—the ones consuming me now.” Transfixed, Melody stood motionless at a loss for words. Never before had she kissed a guy she just met, but she felt it inevitable. Her heart leapt in her chest and the anticipation killed. Kevin took her silence as acquiescence and teased her anxious lips with his soft kisses. She couldn’t believe how magical the moment felt. Her tongue willingly probed and parted his lips and then did a hesitant, searching dance with his minty tongue. Her heart couldn’t stand much more and she pushed back, shocked that her lips were reluctant to follow. She glanced at Kevin for a fleeting moment and rushed inside, closing the door behind her, not slowing until she had raced up the two flights to her room. Only then, did she trust herself enough to stop. Kevin probably thought she was a fool for running off leaving him standing there. But sudden urges had overtaken her when they kissed and she wasn’t sure she could have stopped herself if she hadn’t left then and there. What on earth was wrong with her? This felt wonderful yet scary. A guy had never affected her like this. Deep inside, she couldn’t wait for more. “Oh my, God, you’re such a harlot,” she mumbled to herself. Taking a deep breath she unlocked the door and prayed Imani was asleep. 
True friendship endures all obstacles…right? Three college friends search for true love, NFL fame, and a successful engineering career. Will one friend’s quest for happiness endanger all three of their lives? Naïve, romantic Melody Wilkins aims to find true love at college just like her parents. But will she sacrifice her soul to obtain it? No-nonsense Imani Jordan strives for good grades and a chemical engineering degree. When a friendship offers more, will she follow her head or her heart? Lance Dunn is only serious about two things: football and protecting his girls, Melody and Imani. When a threat enters their lives and tests their friendship, can he stop it before it kills them? After the torrents of jealousy, sex, and abuse subside, will their friendship survive…The Colors of Friendship? Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre – New Adult, Contemporary Rating – R More details about the author
Connect with K R Raye on Facebook and Twitter Website http://krraye.com/events.html
Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.
Thank you for allowing me to discuss some of my ideas about writing in relationship to my book, Midshipman Henry Gallant In Space.
I love words.
That wasn’t always been the case. My first infatuation was with numbers, in all its manifold forms from algebra to topology. However, with maturity came insight into the elegance and efficacy of words for expression beyond algorithms.
Words elucidate the ideas of great thinkers and leaders from Aristotle to Lincoln. Consider the brief collage, “All men are created equal?” Can you doubt the inspiration of these words? Words shroud us with the emotions of others and bring nature’s kaleidoscopic scenery into view. They let us share experiences both past and present.
Our past is a tapestry, rich with dramatic experiences. Our thoughts and memories are arranged around such experiences. As memories bring the past flowing into the present, we gather words into stories that capture the drama and excitement of real and imaginary events. As such, they help us understand our place in the world.
In 1949, Joseph Campbell wrote The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and argued that myths, spanning all time and all cultures, contain the same basic elements, or ‘archetypes.’
Campbell thought that stories formed a grand pattern he called the ‘hero’s journey.’ The journey begins with the hero hearing a plea for help. When he finally responds, he crosses a threshold into a new realm where he faces great challenges and matures under the tutelage of a mentor. Finally, he becomes the master; committed to changing the world. This story archetype has thrived from the Odyssey, to Star Wars.
The ‘hero’s journey’ is a theater of human behavior; anecdotal but illuminating. In Midshipman Henry Gallant, I present a young man’s heroic journey. He doesn’t travel it along. He has friends, mentors, rivals, and enemies, and one more essential element, romance.
There is beauty in expressing your thoughts. Find your words. Tell your story.
Regards,
H. Peter Alesso
www.hpeteralesso.com
As the last star fighter in squadron 111, Midshipman Henry Gallant is on his way from Jupiter to Mars. With the United Planets’ fleet on the verge of annihilation, he can expect no help as he passes through the asteroid belt and threatening aliens. With so much uncertainty about the aliens’ capabilities and intentions, analyzing the captured computer equipment in Gallant’s possession could prove crucial. The fate of Earth could rest on the abilities of Midshipman Henry Gallant. Unfortunately, it is his abilities that have been much in doubt during his tour of duty.
In an era of genetic engineering, he is the only Natural (non-genetically enhanced) officer left in the fleet. His classmates and superior officers have all expressed their concern that he will not be up to the demands of the space service.
Only bright and attractive junior officer Kelsey Mitchel has shown any sympathy for him. Now as his navigator on the last fighter in squadron 111, her life as well as a good many others, depends of Henry Gallant.
Genre – Science Fiction
Rating – G
Connect with H. Peter Alesso on Facebook
Quality Reads UK
Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the
author and previously used on other sites.
Clearly, attorney and judge had to behave as if they were total strangers outside the courtroom. Davies ran a strict court, and lawyers had to toe the line- (p 13) 
Malpractice! the Novel is an electrifying work of realistic fiction written by an anonymous insider who worked the frontlines of the clash between the medical and legal professions during the California medical malpractice insurance crisis, which began in the 1960s. William Louis Harvey, a nom de plume, takes readers on a steamy adventure involving power, sex, lies and money in this candid courtroom suspense thriller. While Malpractice! The Novel, is a work of fiction, it is rooted in the personal experiences and firsthand knowledge the author acquired during his decades of working inside the medical industry. California in the 1960s and first half of the 1970s had already seen a dramatic increase in medical malpractice lawsuits as juries awarded progressively higher sums for “pain and suffering,” a category that had no concrete limits and caused physicians’ insurance premiums for malpractice to skyrocket. Harvey chaired a committee that reviewed all malpractice claims involving a major California hospital during the crisis. Details of some of the cases he experienced are engraved in his memory, and small portions of these tidbits find their way into Malpractice! the Novel, his first novel. Roused by a recent New York Times article about the American male novelist’s fear of addressing sexuality, Harvey interleaved honest sex histories for his novel’s characters, adding a titillating sensuality to the suspenseful novel. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Steamy Courtroom Drama Rating – R More details about the author Connect with William Louis Harvey on Facebook & Twitter
How do you feel about Facebook and Twitter? I like both, but I tend to be more of a Facebook person. I really enjoy keeping up with friends on my personal page, and I love hearing from readers on the Dance For A Dead Princess Facebook page. Are you a city slicker or a country lover? I really love both. I’ve always lived in the city, but my grandparents had farms. I loved to visit them when I was little. Farm work is very hard work, but there is a wonderful rhythm to it as the seasons pass. I loved visiting the garden and feeding the animals. What’s the reason for your life? I’m here to tell stories, to celebrate love and family, and to make people laugh. How many friends does a person need? If you have just a few really loyal friends, that’s all you need. Do you find time to read? Yes. I read every day although a lot of it is “day job” related. I read fiction at night after I’m finished working on my current novel. 
In January 1997, Princess Diana received a phone call telling her she would be assassinated. She recorded the information on a secret video tape, naming her killer and gave it to a trusted friend in America for safekeeping. It has never been found. Diana’s close friend, Nicholas Carey, the 18th Duke of Burnham and second richest man in England, has vowed to find the tape and expose her killer. After years of searching, he discovers Diana gave the tape to British socialite Mari Cuniff, who died in New York under mysterious circumstances. He believes Wall Street attorney Taylor Collins, the executor of Mari’s estate, has possession of it. He lures Taylor to England by promising to sell his ancestral home in Kent, Burnham Abbey, to one of her clients, a boarding school for American girls. Nicholas has dated actresses and models since the death of his wife, ten years earlier, and has no interest in falling in love again. But he is immediately and unexpectedly overwhelmed with feelings for Taylor at their first meeting. Taylor, unaware that Diana’s tape is in her long-time friend and client’s estate and nursing her hurt over her broken engagement to a fellow attorney in her firm, brands Nicholas supremely spoiled and selfish. She is in a hurry to finish the sale of the Abbey and return to New York. But while working in the Abbey’s library, Taylor uncovers the diary of Thomas Carey, a knight at the court of Henry VIII and the first Duke of Burnham. As she reads Thomas’ agonizing struggle to save the love of his life and the mother of his child from being forced to become Henry’s mistress, she begins to see Nicholas in a new light as he battles to save his sixteen-year-old ward Lucy, who is desperately unhappy and addicted to cocaine. But just as Taylor’s feelings for Nicholas become clear and at the moment she realizes she is in possession of Diana’s voice from the grave, she learns that Nicholas may be Lucy’s father and responsible for his wife’s death at the Abbey at the time of Lucy’s birth. When Nicholas is arrested for Lucy’s murder and taken to Wandsworth Prison, Taylor sets out to learn the truth about Nicholas, his late wife, and the death of the Princess of Wales. Dance for A Dead Princess is a the story of two great loves that created and preserved a family that has lasted for five hundred years. Buy Now @ Amazon Genre – Contemporary Romance,Mystery Rating – G More details about the author and the book Connect with Deborah Hawkins on Facebook Website http://deborahlhawkins.com/
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