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Cold Coffee Press Book Review For He’s Mine! By Bernadette Y. Connor

He's Mine! by Bernadette Y. Connor
What’s a girl to do when she moves to a new town and falls in love with the most desired man in town?

What’s a girl to do when that man belongs to all in his family and social circle?

What’s a girl to do when their infatuation with him is unhealthy to the point of being dangerous?

What’s a girl to do when one of them threatens her and she doesn’t know which one it is?

What’s a girl to do when that person declares, “He’s Mine!”?

“Dream come true turns nightmare!”

“A romantic, gritty and disturbing fatal attraction.

” Tall, dark and incredibly handsome, Miles Alexander is admired by his friends and colleagues, loved and adored by every woman in town, including his family. He is an attorney from a wealthy family, and an incurable romantic who has dated every attractive woman in town. Miles’s world is comfortable and carefree until Patrice Mays whisks past him in the lobby of his office building and his appreciation of a beautiful woman eclipsed. With just the two of them on the elevator, Miles inspects her from head-to-toe and cannot believe his eyes, she is perfection.

Patrice Mays is new in town and Miles is the first person to penetrate her determination to be on time for her first day at Tymes, McNeil and Lowell Law Offices. The gorgeous floral arrangement and warm welcome note Miles had delivered impresses her. The recollection of his handsome, well dressed physique made her smile. However, Patrice is focused on her career, Miles is focused on Patrice.

Miles makes his infatuation with Patrice well known immediately, and the information is not well received by all. Patrice is confronted at the end of her second day by an irate Miles romantic reject and receives a mind-boggling note in her inter-office mail that simply says, “He’s Mine!”

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For He’s Mine! By Bernadette Y. Connor
‘He's Mine!’ by Bernadette Y. Connor is a romance that begins as a chance meeting in an elevator, turns into an adventurous pursuit, infatuation, intrigue, romance, jealousy, stalking and attempted murder. All the elements that keep the reader tuning the page and creates caution in the minds of single hearts looking for love.

Two main characters from different backgrounds bring their own history and unique circumstances to the story. Miles Alexander is an attorney from a wealthy family. He is tall, dark, handsome and carefree with a giant Doberman named Roman. His good looks, money and carefree lifestyle makes him a target for women who want the best and are willing to go to any length to accomplish their quest. Patrice Mays is the new woman in town, focused on her career and is about to find herself in the cross-hairs. I quote a passage that stands out in my memory: “Patrice stood in the doorway watching Miles and Roman disappear into the night, and she was surprised by the number of people still sitting on their steps. Patrice would soon learn that this was a ritual of summer in the inner city.”

I especially like to read passages that give insight into how different two people can be when a friendship begins. I quote: “He especially loved the way she ate the barbeque with her fingers and licked them afterwards. Patrice had not gone to any trouble trying to impress the great Miles Alexander.  Miles had never eaten a piece of meat with his fingers until he was in college, and to date had never licked his fingers. His mother would have had a massive coronary if she had witnessed him doing any of it.”

Romance that begins as a fine fragile line between two people. I quote: “In silence, Patrice dissected and analyzed her anger. When the particles settled, there was only one answer. Patrice Mays was more physically attracted to Miles Alexander than she had ever been to any man in her life and it had made her horribly uncomfortable. Truthfully, she had no idea whether she was acting rational or not. Her hormones were blitzing her brain cells.”

Secondary characters who may or may not have a reason to come between Miles and Patrice. Attraction is one thing, but when mixed with some mental illness things often change without warning. Chaos can affect a wide circle of people and the criminal justice system can’t always protect the innocent.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘He's Mine!’ by Bernadette Y. Connor as a romance with a fatal attraction mystery entwined. We admire the author’s inner strength and ability to raise three children alone and inspire them to graduate from college. Our heart acknowledges her struggles through her own medical issues and the brutal murder of her eldest son in 1991.

Her early writing began in the wee hours of the morning when her children were sleeping and resurfaced later when she wrote and published her debut novel, ‘Damaged!’ in 1998. This book garnered her a spot in “Who’s Who In America 2004” for the first psychological thriller published by an African American Woman. From here she went on to publish Inherited in 2005, PEARL AND ANGELA in 2009, SASHA'S New Beginning in 2011, THE PARCEL EXPRESS MURDERS in 2012 and He’ s Mine! on September 15, 2014.

We received He’s Mine! for review in a PDF format and the review was completed on May 10th, 2015. For more information please contact Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Soft Cover Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link

Author Bernadette Y. Connor’s Website Link
Amazon Author’s Page
Published Books:
Damaged!
He's Mine!
Inherited
Pearl and Angela
Sasha’s New Beginning
The Parcel Express Murders
Related Links:
Independent Authors Network
The Book Worm Lodge
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter: BernYConnor
Cold Coffee Café Author Bernadette Y. Connor
Cold Coffee Press Author Bernadette Y. Connor

Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Bernadette Y. Connor

Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Bernadette Y. Connor
Bernadette Y. Connor is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born at home in a one-room apartment in North Philadelphia; the fourth of five children. To help her family financially, she sang rhythm and blues in many of the local nightclubs until she graduated from Dobbins Vocational Area High School in 1969 and was hired as a secretary by Sun Oil Company.
Her first love was music, but she found herself writing poetry in Junior High School. Some of her earliest writings were published in SCLC monthly magazine. Both singing and writing had to take a back burner to caring for her family, but midnight often found her doodling. A divorced mother of three, Bernadette saw that all of her children graduated from college.
She found her niche’ at AT&T as a communications technician. With the merger came a lay-off and she saw as an opportunity to begin a new career, but that was put on hold by a series of medical problems and finally the devastation of the brutal murder of her eldest son on Christmas Eve of 1991. Her zest for life, travel and adventure were nearly extinguished. However, Bernadette’s thoughts slowly returned to writing.
The literary fire was stoked by reacquainting herself with her earlier poems, and Bernadette embarked on yet another adventure. She wrote a simple love story called ‘Finally’ that opened the gate to an avalanche of works which include 13 novels and 12 screenplays.
Bernadette’s published debut novel, ‘Damaged’, the first psychological thriller ever written and published by an African American garnered her a spot in “Who’s Who In America 2004”. Publishers Weekly dubbed her the “genre-crossing writer” and she loves the distinction. Agent, Mondella Jones, labeled her “a master storyteller.”
Interview:

What makes you proud to be a writer from Philadelphia? It is an honor to be a writer from Philadelphia. There is a rich literary history from James A. Michener, Edgar A. Poe and Diane McKinney-Whetstone. These authors have blazed a glorious fictional trail for me. While Edgar A. Poe was not born in Philadelphia, he wrote and published while living here. His home is on our Historical Registry.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? Honestly, I believe I have always had a writer's spirit; needing to know who, what, when, where and how. It was awakened by hearing Edgar A. Poe's poems on phonographs in English class in Junior High. It was my baptism into the written word has a distinct rhythm and sound. If I hear "The Bells" or "Annabel Lee" today, I am still mesmerized by them. Langston Hughes inspired and nurtured that belief for me. The way he wrote about his people made me believe he loved and respected every aspect of their existence. If I can scratch the surface of the power of his love, I will believe I have accomplished something.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? In 1997, after lots of long-winded rejection letters swearing I was good and praising my skills, but they could not publish my work. Of course, they never said exactly why they could not publish it.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? Yes. I put all of my experience to work in my work without ever writing about my life. The dreams, passion and devastation of life fascinates me. The ways we love and hurt each other is my springboard.
Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? I have done both. Sometimes, the title comes weeks before the story begins to unfold.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? Romance and psychological thrillers. I write in these two genre because they are the heart of our existence. They propel or stifle us in life. To love and be loved is our reason for being. Our attempts to achieve our reason damages us irreparably when it is not accomplished, or the ones we want to love desperately have been so wounded that they wound in return.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book that you are seeking promotion for? The thought that no matter how "perfect" the people in the relationship or the relationship itself appears to onlookers, there are always challenges to overcome. What happens when you can't name the challenger? What happens when you name the challenger, but can't name the reason why they are challenging your relationship? What made your challenger's insanity choose you as their target?
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Knowing that people who do not read have thoroughly enjoyed my work. Knowing that scholars have used some of it for class study. Knowing that people who have experienced some of the challenges identify with the stories and situations. My real reward is that I entertain people for a little while. I turn their attention away from their lives with the intrigue of what's going to happen to someone else.
Have you had a negative experience in your writing career? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? Early on, I was told that ‘Damaged’ was just another abuse story and I was wasting my time trying to get it published. They were right. No one would publish it. However, it has been the most read and appreciated of all of my work. There was no way to avoid their opinions other than the one I took. I published it myself.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? At a book signing; to have a young lady bring me a paperback copy of ‘Damaged’ that was held together with a rubber-band saying, "Ms. Connor, I think I need to have it in hardback. All of my family and friends have read and destroyed this copy."
Have you had a negative experience in your publishing journey? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? With ‘Pearl and Angela’, a major publisher read it and loved it, held it for over a year, told my agent she compared every book that came across her desk she compared it to ‘Pearl and Angela’. She said the story was compelling and the characters where haunting, but she did not know who my audience was. There was no way for me to avoid this either. I have made changes to a manuscript early on in my writing career and they rejected it anyway.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Be true to yourself. At the end of the day you will always look back and know you did it your way. If you're writing to make money, follow others.
Who is your favorite author and why? Langston Hughes and J. California Cooper. They both could write dynamic short stories that made me believe they loved their characters.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? I am not a person who builds a story. I allow the characters to tell their story. Sometimes, I feel more like a stenographer than an author.
Please tell us something that you believe your readers would like to know. Pain and passion in a novel are necessary elements. Too much sunshine burns the story up. Too much rain drowns it.
**************************
He's Mine! by Bernadette Y. Connor
What’s a girl to do when she moves to a new town and falls in love with the most desired man in town?

What’s a girl to do when that man belongs to all in his family and social circle?

What’s a girl to do when their infatuation with him is unhealthy to the point of being dangerous?

What’s a girl to do when one of them threatens her and she doesn’t know which one it is?

What’s a girl to do when that person declares, “He’s Mine!”?

“Dream come true turns nightmare!”

“A romantic, gritty and disturbing fatal attraction.

” Tall, dark and incredibly handsome, Miles Alexander is admired by his friends and colleagues, loved and adored by every woman in town, including his family. He is an attorney from a wealthy family, and an incurable romantic who has dated every attractive woman in town. Miles’s world is comfortable and carefree until Patrice Mays whisks past him in the lobby of his office building and his appreciation of a beautiful woman eclipsed. With just the two of them on the elevator, Miles inspects her from head-to-toe and cannot believe his eyes, she is perfection.

Patrice Mays is new in town and Miles is the first person to penetrate her determination to be on time for her first day at Tymes, McNeil and Lowell Law Offices. The gorgeous floral arrangement and warm welcome note Miles had delivered impresses her. The recollection of his handsome, well dressed physique made her smile. However, Patrice is focused on her career, Miles is focused on Patrice.

Miles makes his infatuation with Patrice well known immediately, and the information is not well received by all. Patrice is confronted at the end of her second day by an irate Miles romantic reject and receives a mind-boggling note in her inter-office mail that simply says, “He’s Mine!”

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For He’s Mine! By Bernadette Y. Connor
‘He's Mine!’ by Bernadette Y. Connor is a romance that begins as a chance meeting in an elevator, turns into an adventurous pursuit, infatuation, intrigue, romance, jealousy, stalking and attempted murder. All the elements that keep the reader tuning the page and creates caution in the minds of single hearts looking for love.

Two main characters from different backgrounds bring their own history and unique circumstances to the story. Miles Alexander is an attorney from a wealthy family. He is tall, dark, handsome and carefree with a giant Doberman named Roman. His good looks, money and carefree lifestyle makes him a target for women who want the best and are willing to go to any length to accomplish their quest. Patrice Mays is the new woman in town, focused on her career and is about to find herself in the cross-hairs. I quote a passage that stands out in my memory: “Patrice stood in the doorway watching Miles and Roman disappear into the night, and she was surprised by the number of people still sitting on their steps. Patrice would soon learn that this was a ritual of summer in the inner city.”

I especially like to read passages that give insight into how different two people can be when a friendship begins. I quote: “He especially loved the way she ate the barbeque with her fingers and licked them afterwards. Patrice had not gone to any trouble trying to impress the great Miles Alexander.  Miles had never eaten a piece of meat with his fingers until he was in college, and to date had never licked his fingers. His mother would have had a massive coronary if she had witnessed him doing any of it.”

Romance that begins as a fine fragile line between two people. I quote: “In silence, Patrice dissected and analyzed her anger. When the particles settled, there was only one answer. Patrice Mays was more physically attracted to Miles Alexander than she had ever been to any man in her life and it had made her horribly uncomfortable. Truthfully, she had no idea whether she was acting rational or not. Her hormones were blitzing her brain cells.”

Secondary characters who may or may not have a reason to come between Miles and Patrice. Attraction is one thing, but when mixed with some mental illness things often change without warning. Chaos can affect a wide circle of people and the criminal justice system can’t always protect the innocent.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘He's Mine!’ by Bernadette Y. Connor as a romance with a fatal attraction mystery entwined. We admire the author’s inner strength and ability to raise three children alone and inspire them to graduate from college. Our heart acknowledges her struggles through her own medical issues and the brutal murder of her eldest son in 1991.

Her early writing began in the wee hours of the morning when her children were sleeping and resurfaced later when she wrote and published her debut novel, ‘Damaged!’ in 1998. This book garnered her a spot in “Who’s Who In America 2004” for the first psychological thriller published by an African American Woman. From here she went on to publish Inherited in 2005, PEARL AND ANGELA in 2009, SASHA'S New Beginning in 2011, THE PARCEL EXPRESS MURDERS in 2012 and He’ s Mine! on September 15, 2014.

We received He’s Mine! for review in a PDF format and the review was completed on May 10th, 2015. For more information please contact Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Soft Cover Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link

Author Bernadette Y. Connor’s Website Link
Amazon Author’s Page
Published Books:
Damaged!
He's Mine!
Inherited
Pearl and Angela
Sasha’s New Beginning
The Parcel Express Murders
Related Links:
Independent Authors Network
The Book Worm Lodge
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter: BernYConnor
Cold Coffee Café Author Bernadette Y. Connor
Cold Coffee Press Author Bernadette Y. Connor

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Sons Of The Sphinx (The Quest Books) by Cheryl Carpinello

 Sons Of The Sphinx (The Quest Books) by Cheryl Carpinello
When 15-year-old Rosa agrees to help the ghost of King Tut find his lost queen Hesena, she doesn't count on falling for him. Once back in Ancient Egypt, Rosa discovers that finding Hesena is not all she must do: She must keep out of the reach of the living Horemheb--who crosses mortal boundaries using Seth's evil magic--if she is to stay alive to make it back home.

Sons of the Sphinx is based on the schism that shot through ancient Egypt when, according to historians, the Pharaoh Akhenaten turned his back on Thebes and the gods of Egypt. He built his own city to honor his god the Aten, and he insisted that the people of Egypt do the same. Along with this, he supposedly refused to send troops to defend Egypt's borders thus incurring the wrath of the then General Horemheb. When Tutankhamen becomes pharaoh, he reverses Akhenaten's proclamations and returns the governing center to Thebes and the worship back to the god Amun.

However, the damage has been done, and by the time Horemheb attains pharaoh status, he has proclaimed the betrayal of the Egyptian people by Akhenaten so widely and so much, all members of the family including Tutankhamen and Ankhesenamun and Ay are dishonored.

The historical significance of my story is the main reason I was able to write Sons of the Sphinx. Needing to help right a wrong done over 3000 years ago and reunite the boy king with his queen (whose tomb has yet to be identified or found), allows my protagonist Rosa the opportunity to come to terms with who she is and what her place is in this world.

A Tween Adventure/Action Adventure/Tales & Legends from the Ancient & Medieval Worlds.

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Sons Of The Sphinx
(The Quest Books) by Cheryl Carpinello   Travel to ancient Egypt through the eyes of a tenth grader named Rosa as she uses her special gifts in an attempt to bring honor to King Tutankhamen’s family. Rosa is an ordinary teen who struggles to fit in with her peers, however she must also come to term with the gift that her grandmother bestowed on her.

As it turns out, Rosa’s gift allows her to not only to hear and speak to dead people, but actually travel back to ancient Egypt. Without warning King Tut appears to Rosa in her bedroom asking for help finding the spirit of his long, lost, love Hesena.

Rosa has to fight unimaginable fears in order to travel back 3,000 years, deal with a hostile environment, and an evil Pharaoh, not to mention tomb robbers in order to connect with the spirit of Hesena all with the hopes of righting the wrongs of this ancient past.

Young Rosa has a heart of gold and the courage of a champion along with a sweet innocent inner self that inspires a touch of romantic feeling for her spirit guide. I quote a passage from the book to show the author’s unique writing style and ability to connect with young people:

“Tut, you were rich beyond anything I can imagine. It’s so unreal.” I walk around behind the shrine.

“You were one of the richest pharaohs in Egypt.”

He looks at me and frowns. I see something in his eyes, briefly, that mirrors the disappointment in my dad’s eyes the day the cops brought me home. I ditched school after one of those talking ghost episodes. They picked me up at the shopping mall an hour before school was out. An hour! I have all the luck. I cough as my throat tickles in an irritating way.

“Roosa.” He sweeps his arm through the air. All this is here, with me, now, dead.”

‘Sons Of The Sphinx’ is a fast paced, historically accurate time travel adventure that will enlighten and engage the hearts and minds of readers from pre-teen to adult. Author Cheryl Carpinello has not only researched ancient Egypt, but travelled there herself. This book details the Eighteenth Dynasty (1550-1295 BC) and includes a map of Ancient Egypt. There is a glossary of Egyptian Gods, People, Places and Terms which is most beneficial.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Sons Of The Sphinx’ by Cheryl Carpinello for the historical accuracies, adventurous journey to ancient Egypt with teen tenacity and paranormal contributions. This book was given to us in a PDF for review. The review was completed on April 28, 2015. For more information please contact Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com


Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link
Barnes and Nobles Print Purchase Link

Amazon Author’s Page
Cheryl Carpinello (author/speaker) Website
Cheryl’s Quest Website
Cheryl’s Blog

Member Of:
Independent Author’s Network
Book Buzzer
Colorado Authors’ League
Cold Coffee Press Author Cheryl Carpinello
Cold Coffee Café Author Cheryl Carpinello

Cold Coffee Press Author Spotlight Interview With Cheryl Carpinello

Cold Coffee Press Author Spotlight Interview With Cheryl Carpinello
It is the legends and tales that call even the most reluctant of us
into the world of books and adventure.
As a retired high school English teacher, I have a passion for working with kids. 

Reading and Writing are essential skills for everyone, but especially for kids as they grow into their adult lives. 

I conduct Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and the Colorado Girl Scouts. Medieval Legends and Ancient Tales mirror everyone's quest for adventure, self, honor, friendship. 

I have joined with two other Tween authors to present the best of these adventure-filled books to Tween and YA readers. 

Join us at our new web site (which is still getting tweaked) to view all of our books. The Quest Books span centuries and take readers inside the marvelous civilizations of the Ancient and Medieval world.

The Quest Books
**************************
 
About Author Cheryl Carpinello: Cheryl loves the Ancient and Medieval Worlds!

As a retired English teacher, she hopes to inspire young readers to read more through her Quest Books. She writes Quest stories that will span time from Medieval times to Ancient Egypt to the island of Atlantis, so far! Her Arthurian Tales are aimed at reluctant readers.

A series of stories from ancient lands and legends will take readers on adventurous quests throughout history.

She loves to travel, and so her other job is with a major airline. Cheryl and her husband spent three weeks in Egypt traveling by local train from one end of the country to the other. In 2014, they spent three weeks in the UK driving over 1700 miles through England, Wales, and Scotland.

Cheryl’s Writings: Cheryl’s first book 'Guinevere: On The Eve Of Legend' introduces young readers to the timeless King Arthur Legend and Guinevere the girl as she struggles with growing up and fulfilling her destiny.

I hope young readers develop an understanding of the girl Guinevere, how she is like them today. Everyone has to grow up; everyone has unpleasant choices to make; and regardless of when we are born or how old we are, we don't always get our way. And when that happens, we have to accept it and move on.

Good lessons for any age. "King Arthur's Story" is a short excerpt cut from "Guinevere" in the final editing. Only available as an e-book, it gives readers a brief glimpse into Arthur's reasons for seeking marriage with Guinevere.

The Legend of King Arthur continues to transcend the Centuries and All Age Groups because:

(1) The Legend is packed with adventure. Tales of knights fighting knights, rescuing damsels in distress, and the quest for the Holy Grail are found in vivid detail throughout the unending array of stories.

(2) The Legend is about heroes, the Knights of the Round Table: Lancelot, Tristram, Percival, Galahad and the many others. Specifically it is about the main hero, King Arthur.

(3) The Legend is about magic and mystery. Merlyn, the most famous magician ever, lives backwards in time!

(4) The Legend is about women and love. The regal Guinevere; the mysterious half sisters of Arthur: Morgan le Fay, Morgause, and Elaine; the witch Nimue who tricks Merlyn into revealing his secrets and then encloses him for life in a cave. The one thing all these women have in common is that they are misunderstood. Writers can't even cast them into the same mold, especially the sisters.

(5) The Legend is about Hope. Arthur and his kingdom are essentially a utopia; a perfect world, at least in the beginning. There is a definite line between right and wrong. Chivalry rules the day. Arthur is the ruler who works not for himself, but for his people. In the time period that "The Once and Future King" was written (WWII), the Legend offered a safe haven for people's dreams. It continues to do that and that is why she loves it.

News: Cheryl has just started publishing my children's picture books under the series Grandma's Tales. The first one is “What if I Went to the Circus and Came Home with?”

Sons Of The Sphinx (The Quest Books) has just been released. This book takes her readers out of Medieval England and back to Ancient Egypt for a visit with a famous pharaoh! She loves to hear from her readers of all ages.

Please contact her and let her know what you think of her books. You may contact her through her web site Beyond Today: (http://www.beyondtodayeducator.com).

**************************Interview:

What, or who, inspired you to become a writer? I loved reading stories that sent me to another place and time (and I still do). I have always wanted to create my own stories. However, I started to write in earnest after my years as a high school English teacher. I want to inspire reluctant readers to become readers.

When did you begin writing with the intention of being published? Probably about 20 years ago.

Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and why? Yes. As a high school teacher, I came into contact each year with students who did not like to read. I wanted to reach those students before high school in hopes of making readers out of them. I found the King Arthur Legend to be a great vehicle for this.

Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? A little of both. I knew from the beginning with “Guinevere” that I was going to give readers an insight into Guinevere before she married Arthur. So adding “On the Eve of Legend” just felt right from the start. With my next book I planned on titling it “Young Knights of the Round Table,” but didn't add “The King's Ransom” until nearly half the book was finished.

Why do you write in the genre(s) that you’ve chosen? I chose Children's Literature because elementary school is where students become readers. Also, I still love to read that genre!

What has been your most rewarding experience while in the writing process? The creative process I go through with each story is very rewarding. I loved being able to share my journey with my students.

What has been your most negative experience while in the writing process? I really haven't had a negative experience, but I did have to go back to “Young Knights” once I thought I was finished and totally rewrite one of the characters.

What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Learning, learning, and learning!

What has been your most negative experience in your publishing journey? It's just frustrating at times, like learning any new skill.

What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Keep positive and believe in yourself, your work, and your vision.

Who is your favorite author and why? This is a hard question. Probably J R R Tolkien. He was a fabulous storyteller who managed to include morality in his books that stayed with the readers.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? I do writing workshops for elementary schools and the Girl Scouts. In addition to reading, I believe that all kids and adults can learn to write. It is a matter of building confidence in the prospective writer and that is what we work on in the writing workshops. I guess that once a person is an educator, that teaching and encouraging nature stays with them.

**************************
Sons Of The Sphinx (The Quest Books) by Cheryl Carpinello
When 15-year-old Rosa agrees to help the ghost of King Tut find his lost queen Hesena, she doesn't count on falling for him. Once back in Ancient Egypt, Rosa discovers that finding Hesena is not all she must do: She must keep out of the reach of the living Horemheb--who crosses mortal boundaries using Seth's evil magic--if she is to stay alive to make it back home.

Sons of the Sphinx is based on the schism that shot through ancient Egypt when, according to historians, the Pharaoh Akhenaten turned his back on Thebes and the gods of Egypt. He built his own city to honor his god the Aten, and he insisted that the people of Egypt do the same. Along with this, he supposedly refused to send troops to defend Egypt's borders thus incurring the wrath of the then General Horemheb. When Tutankhamen becomes pharaoh, he reverses Akhenaten's proclamations and returns the governing center to Thebes and the worship back to the god Amun.

However, the damage has been done, and by the time Horemheb attains pharaoh status, he has proclaimed the betrayal of the Egyptian people by Akhenaten so widely and so much, all members of the family including Tutankhamen and Ankhesenamun and Ay are dishonored.

The historical significance of my story is the main reason I was able to write Sons of the Sphinx. Needing to help right a wrong done over 3000 years ago and reunite the boy king with his queen (whose tomb has yet to be identified or found), allows my protagonist Rosa the opportunity to come to terms with who she is and what her place is in this world.

A Tween Adventure/Action Adventure/Tales & Legends from the Ancient & Medieval Worlds.

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Sons Of The Sphinx
(The Quest Books) by Cheryl Carpinello
Travel to ancient Egypt through the eyes of a tenth grader named Rosa as she uses her special gifts in an attempt to bring honor to King Tutankhamen’s family. Rosa is an ordinary teen who struggles to fit in with her peers, however she must also come to term with the gift that her grandmother bestowed on her.

As it turns out, Rosa’s gift allows her to not only to hear and speak to dead people, but actually travel back to ancient Egypt. Without warning King Tut appears to Rosa in her bedroom asking for help finding the spirit of his long, lost, love Hesena.

Rosa has to fight unimaginable fears in order to travel back 3,000 years, deal with a hostile environment, and an evil Pharaoh, not to mention tomb robbers in order to connect with the spirit of Hesena all with the hopes of righting the wrongs of this ancient past.

Young Rosa has a heart of gold and the courage of a champion along with a sweet innocent inner self that inspires a touch of romantic feeling for her spirit guide. I quote a passage from the book to show the author’s unique writing style and ability to connect with young people:

“Tut, you were rich beyond anything I can imagine. It’s so unreal.” I walk around behind the shrine.

“You were one of the richest pharaohs in Egypt.”

He looks at me and frowns. I see something in his eyes, briefly, that mirrors the disappointment in my dad’s eyes the day the cops brought me home. I ditched school after one of those talking ghost episodes. They picked me up at the shopping mall an hour before school was out. An hour! I have all the luck. I cough as my throat tickles in an irritating way.

“Roosa.” He sweeps his arm through the air. All this is here, with me, now, dead.”

‘Sons Of The Sphinx’ is a fast paced, historically accurate time travel adventure that will enlighten and engage the hearts and minds of readers from pre-teen to adult. Author Cheryl Carpinello has not only researched ancient Egypt, but travelled there herself. This book details the Eighteenth Dynasty (1550-1295 BC) and includes a map of Ancient Egypt. There is a glossary of Egyptian Gods, People, Places and Terms which is most beneficial.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Sons Of The Sphinx’ by Cheryl Carpinello for the historical accuracies, adventurous journey to ancient Egypt with teen tenacity and paranormal contributions. This book was given to us in a PDF for review. The review was completed on April 28, 2015. For more information please contact Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.comhttp://www.coldcoffeepress.com


Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link
Barnes and Nobles Print Purchase Link

Amazon Author’s Page
Cheryl Carpinello (author/speaker) Website
Cheryl’s Quest Website
Cheryl’s Blog

Member Of:
Independent Author’s Network
Book Buzzer
Colorado Authors’ League
Cold Coffee Press Author Cheryl Carpinello
Cold Coffee Café Author Cheryl Carpinello

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Violent Departures by F. M. Meredith

 
Violent Departures by F. M. Meredith
In the eleventh novel in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, College student Veronica Randall, disappears from her car in her own driveway, everyone in the Rocky Bluff P.D. is looking for her. Detective Milligan and family move into a house that may be haunted. Officer Butler is assigned to train a new hire and faces several major challenges.

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Violent Departures by F. M. Meredith
It is serious business for Detective Doug Milligan of the Rocky Bluff P.D. when a student from Santa Barbara College named Veronica Randall disappears from her idling Toyota Prius parked in her grandmother’s driveway. Items left behind along with a new clue emerges when the neighbor Mrs. Doris Jarvis tell officers everything she can about the sedan speeding by the house earlier that morning.

The investigation revs up and the list of possible suspects grow as inquiries into college and work acquaintances begin. The ex-boyfriend Bryan Franklin is an interesting lead and so is a possible stalker from Veronica’s high school days.

Meanwhile Detective Milligan and his wife move their family into a new house that seems to suit their needs, except for the reported resident ghost. He and his new partner Felix Zachary are finding themselves dealing with other criminal activities in the community while the whole department keeps an eye out for Veronica.

A multi-faceted story line with personable characters that could be from your own community.

Author F.M. Meredith writes with a charming style that brings the reader into the detectives’ investigation. Here is a small quote. “The woman moved quickly up the spiral wrought iron stairs, and the rest followed. The second floor landing had two door on both side, and an open window. A breeze brought in a mixture of scents, the salt from the ocean, the pungent almost medicinal smell of eucalyptus, and the heavy sweet odor of gardenias. The last set of steps led to a small space in front of a closed door.”

Never a dull moment when a crime mystery and poltergeist activity inhabit the same space.

Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Violent Departures’, book 11 in F. M. Meredith’s Rocky Bluff PD Series. Each book stands on its own merit, so you can enjoy each book even out of sequence. ‘Violent Departures’ was read in from Kindle format and the review was completed on April 23, 2015. For more information please visit http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link

Author Marilyn (F.M.) Meredith's Published Titles:

Rocky Bluff P.D. Mystery Series: (Earliest To Latest):
Final Respects - by F. M. Meredith
Bad Tidings - by F. M. Meredith
Fringe Benefits - by F. M. Meredith
Smell Of Death - by F. M. Meredith
No Sanctuary - by F. M. Meredith
An Axe To Grind - by F. M. Meredith
Angel Lost: A Dark Oak Mystery - by F. M. Meredith
No Bells - by F. M. Meredith
Dangerous Impulses: Rocky Bluff P.D.- by F. M. Meredith
Murder In The Worst Degree – by Marilyn Meredith
Violent Departures – by F.M. Meredith

Deputy Tempe Crabtree Mystery Series (Earliest to Latest):
Deadly Trail - by Marilyn Meredith
Deadly Omen - by Marilyn Meredith
Unequally Yoked - by Marilyn Meredith
Intervention - by Meredith, Marilyn
Wingbeat - by Marilyn Meredith
Calling The Dead - by Marilyn Meredith
Judgment Fire - by Marilyn Meredith
Kindred Spirits - by Marilyn Meredith
Dispel The Mist - by Marilyn Meredith
Invisible Path - by F. M. Meredith
Bears With Us - by Marilyn Meredith
Raging Water - by Marilyn Meredith
Spirit Shapes - by Marilyn Meredith

Stand Alone Books:
Cup Of Demons - by Marilyn Meredith
Deadly Feast - by Marilyn Meredith
Deeds Of Darkness - by Marilyn Meredith
Guilt By Association - by Marilyn Meredith
Indian Paintbrush - by Marilyn Meredith
Kachima Spirit - by Marilyn Meredith
Lingering Spirit - by Marilyn Meredith
The Astral Gift - by Marilyn Meredith
The Choice - by Marilyn Meredith
The Devil's Foothold - by Marilyn Meredith
Wishing Makes It So - by Marilyn Meredith

Author Marilyn Meredith’s Website
Marilyn Meredith’s Blog
Cold Coffee Press Author Marilyn Meredith
Cold Coffee Cafe Author Marilyn Meredith

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Alicia Bewitched (Book Three of the Carlos Mann Trilogy) by Nick Iuppa and John P. Mendoza

  Alicia Bewitched (Book Three Of The Carlos Mann Trilogy)
by Nick Iuppa and John P. Mendoza
The Third Carlos Mann Adventure
Logic Professor Carlos Mann sets out to murder Tiger Joy in her prison cell. Unfortunately, the gorgeous queen of human traffickers captures him and ships him off to the Yucatan, where the evil witch, La Bruja, uses all her powers to try to weaken and destroy him. Meanwhile, Alicia calls on friends both living and dead to help save her husband, and in the process she learns many terrible secrets that were born in the days of the great Mayan Empire secrets that could save or even destroy Carlos and Alicia.  Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Alicia Bewitched
(Book Three of the Carlos Mann Trilogy) by Nick Iuppa and John P. Mendoza
If you like all things supernatural: ghosts, witchcraft, sorcery, alchemy, then ‘Alicia Bewitched' (Book Three of the Carlos Mann Trilogy) is for you. Although a series, each book in the trilogy stands alone on it own merit.
In ‘Alicia Bewitched’ the authors’ writing style keeps the reader engaged in a supernatural, suspenseful adventure in which Dr. Carlos Mann sets out to finally put an end to that murderous, sex-trafficking, beauty, Tiger Joy. She has tried repeatedly to snuff Carlos’s ghost wife, Alicia, out of existence. Tiger, of course, turns the tables on Carlos and sends him into the clutches of an evil witch who then takes him on a cruel journey of self-discovery. 
With characters living and dead, the settings still flit effortlessly between Modern-day Mexico, the capital of an ancient Mayan city-state, San Francisco’s Chinatown, a haunted women’s prison, and Leland University in Los Altos, California.
One thing I find extremely helpful in the ‘Carlos Mann books is the complete list of characters and their roles at the beginning of each work. Every book has a large, unique, well-developed cast of characters and an intricate storyline that seems ready to be turned into a screenplay.
To show the writing style and depth of content, I quote from 'Alicia Bewitched' (Book Three of the Carlos Mann Trilogy).
“Carlyle August stands at the very gates of hell, at the same cave of hopelessness where he met Tiger and became her slave. Before him, a great waterfall dives all the way into the underworld. Inside the raging waters, he sees the souls of the damned traveling downward on a one-way trip. A dictator (the murderer of thousands of people) screams as his body is pounded and twisted by the waterfall. Haters and liars fall together, slamming into each other, clawing wildly whenever another body is close enough for them to grab. But the rush of the waterfall is too powerful for any of their actions to help. They will dive into a bottomless lake at the base of the fall, and there they will be fished out, dragged ashore, and then driven into the deepest parts of hell.”
Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Alicia Bewitched’ - by Nick Iuppa & John P. Mendoza as these two authors give the reader eloquent writing, well developed characters that draw you into intense, suspenseful story lines. ‘Alicia Bewitched’ was given to us by the author in a PDF format for review. The review was completed on April 18, 2015. For more information please visit http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
Customer Reviews
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link

Author Nick Iuppa’s Published Books
Alicia Bewitched
Alicia’s Ghost
Alicia’s Sin
Bloody Bess and the Doomsday Games
Author Nick Iuppa’s Websites
http://www.nickiuppawrites.com/
https://www.nickiuppa.com
http://aliciasghost.com/Welcome.html
https://www.facebook.com/NickVIuppa
Author Nick Iuppa’s Blog
Cold Coffee Café Author Nick Iuppa
Cold Coffee Press Author Nick Iuppa

Cold Coffee Press Book Review for 'Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ (Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz

Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Legends Of Windemere Book 7)
by Charles E. Yallowitz
The final champion stirs and reaches out to any who can hear her voice. Yet all who heed her call will disappear into the misty fugue.Awakening their new ally is only the beginning as Luke, Nyx, and their friends head south to the desert city of Bor’daruk. Hunting for another temple once used to seal Baron Kernaghan, they are unaware that the game of destiny has changed. Out for blood and pain, Stephen is determined to make Luke wish he’d never set out to become a hero.By the time the sun sets on Bor’daruk, minds will be shattered and the champions’ lives will be changed forever.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review for 'Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’
(Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Experience for the first time or continue reading as the ‘Legends Of Windemere’ captures your imagination as ‘Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ continues this epic fantasy with book 7 by Charles E. Yallowitz.If you were mesmerized by the game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ or enjoyed reading ‘The Hobbit’ series you will not want to miss the mystical inhabitants of Windemere! Author Charles E. Yallowitz weaves an intriguing tale in a world where good and evil collide and is quite often underestimated.Well defined characters who add depth, personality and the ability to draw the reader into the fantasy world of Windemere will hold your attention as the drama unfolds in this mystical place. The creative thought process of the author brings Windemere to life with fast paced descriptive intrigue. I quote two sections below to show the author’s writing style without spoiling the story.“Several silent minutes after Gabriel disappears, Zaria lets out a musical sigh and merges with the mist. She weaves among the trees and cursed mortals, none of them noticing her presence. The goddess is near the edge of a clearing when a purple barrier appears and deflects her rapid approach. She returns to her solid form and gets as close to the powerful shield as she can. Sparks of magic burst from the glistening dome, leaving burn marks on her dress that she ignores. All of Zaria’s attention is on the canopy bed in the middle of the clearing where a cloaked form is sleeping.”“Only a matter of days now, Dariana,” the goddess whispers, wiping a pristine tear from her cheek. “Only a matter of days.”I invite you to start reading the Legends Of Windemere' series today!Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ (Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz as an epic fantasy where the author’s imagination brings legends to life. We received this book in a PDF format for review. Review was completed on April 12, 2015. For more details please visit Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

Amazon Review #1
Amazon Review #2
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase Link
Author Charles E. Yallowitz’s Published Books:
Allure Of The Gypsies (Legends Of Windemere Book 3)
Bestiary Of Blatherhorn Vale
Catalysts
Curse Of The Dark Wind (Legends Of Windemere Book 6)
Legends Of Windemere: Beginning Of A Hero
Legends Of Windemere: Family Of The Tri-Rune (Book 4)
Legends Of Windemere: Prodigy Of Rainbow Tower (Book 2)
Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Legends Of Windemere Book 7)
The Compass Key (Legends Of Windemere Book 5)
The Hopeteller

Author Charles E. Yallowitz’s Website and Related Links:
Amazon Author’s Page
Website
Blog
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Cold Coffee Café Author Charles E. Yallowitz
Cold Coffee Press Author Charles E. Yallowitz

Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview For Author Charles E. Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
Start Reading The 'Legends
of Windemere' Today!
Interview:

What makes you proud to be a writer from Long Island, NY? I never really factored in my location before, so I think I’m just proud to be a writer in general. Long Island is where I grew up, which does have a level of familiarity and comfort that helps me keep some semblance of sanity when writing. My time in Upstate New York and Florida helped me grow as an author too, but there is definitely something about being back here that soothes me when I’m stressed.
What or who inspired you to become a writer? I’ve loved writing since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until I read books by Fred Saberhagen that I decided to become a fantasy author. That was the spark and I’ve absorbed inspiration from so many other sources. Not just authors in my genre, but anything that tells a good story and entertaining characters. Timeless figures such as Conan the Barbarian or Indiana Jones really make me want to create something that will last long after the books are done.
When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? My second year of high school is when I outlined my first story and began writing with no clue what I was doing. It was about teenagers with super powers that protected the universe from evil immortals. I read a lot of comics back then. I didn’t go beyond self-publishing the first book through a Vanity Press and learning some hard lessons on how the industry works. By the time, I had designed Windemere and was improving through my college courses.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? There is definitely an environmental factor with my writing. I was never dissuaded from using my imagination, so I’ve retained a lot of the childhood wonder and craziness that I had in my youth. This helps me with world creation and coming up with monsters for my action scenes. I think it also helps me think on my feet, so I can handle plot diversions without running into a wall. There’s always an answer somewhere in my head as long as I remain calm.
Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? I come up with a title before I make an outline. Then I make a new title once I finish the outline. After that, I have a 50/50 shot of needing another title once I finish the first draft.
Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? My genre is Epic Fantasy. I really enjoy building a world from the ground up and I’ve always loved tales of magic. Fantasy is my comfort zone and I feel my strongest when writing in the genre.
What was your inspiration, spark or light bulb moment that inspired you to write the book that you are seeking promotion for? This is actually the 7th book of a series, so I’ll mention the spark for the entire LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE adventure. I was in a college Dungeons & Dragons game and I thought it would make a fun story. The other players agreed to let me be the group scribe and I started taking notes. Early on, I realized that a game doesn’t translate well to a book and I had the series go in a different direction. At this point in the story, we’re only seeing scraps of the final adventure in the game and everything else was created from various inspirations. In terms of the characters, I did a lot of alterations with permission from the players behind them. Especially with story romances because that didn’t really happen in the game.
What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? Interacting with readers through my blog and getting feedback. Discovering that readers are continuing with the series makes me happy since it’s nice to know people are getting invested in the adventure. My favorite thing to hear is if a person really connected to a character or an event caused an emotional reaction.
Have you had a negative experience in your writing career? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? The only real negative is that I feel like I waited too long before going the independent author route. It was something I kept wondering about, but didn’t look into it until 2012, which was 27 years after I decided to work toward being an author. I took many years off from my desired path and thought it would happen eventually, which was foolish and I do regret wasting all that time. This is by my own hand, so the only advice I would have to avoid it is for a new author to follow his or her gut. If you feel that a path is right or wrong then go with that instinct.
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Seeing my book appear on Amazon after hitting publish and waiting for it to go live. I always get a thrill from that every time I do it. There’s this sensation of taking a big step that many people never get to.
Have you had a negative experience in your publishing journey? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? Being an independent author, everything is within my control, so I haven’t had too many negative experiences. Most of them were hiccups caused by my own lack of knowledge or taking a risk that simply didn’t work out. These are closer to disappointments that I’ve shrugged off and kept going. So I don’t think an author can avoid all negative experiences especially at the beginning. It’s smarter to accept that it will happen and keep pushing forward. Also to do your own research on promotional venues.
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Never give up and stick to the story that is in your head. You know how it is supposed to work out, so trust in your own abilities. I’m not saying an author doesn’t evolve, but you need to remember that you’re the one in charge of your books.
Who is your favorite author and why? This changes so often for me. I could probably fill several pages with a list of authors that I love because I try to take something from each one. I love the world-building and mythology of Tolkien and Lewis. The solid character of Conan makes me enjoy books by Robert E. Howard. Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, and the list keeps going for me. As long as the author writes a great story that makes me want to read it again, I’m hooked.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? One of my biggest focuses in my stories is the evolution of my characters and how their adventures shape them. It has made it that the actual story isn’t so much ‘good vs. evil’, but how the heroes handle their roles. For example, Nyx is an extremely powerful caster and has worries that she is nothing more than a living weapon. This affects her actions and mentality, especially when somebody treats her like a tool. So each character has a fight for identity as well as against the outside forces that threaten Windemere.
How many published books do you have? I currently have 10 books published. 7 volumes of LEGENDS OF WINDEMERE, 1 fantasy poetry book, 1 horror novella, and 1 fairy tale/post-apocalyptic novella. The last three were experiments in genres outside of my comfort zone.
Which book title would you like featured in this interview? Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Legends Of Windemere Book 7)
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Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz
The final champion stirs and reaches out to any who can hear her voice. Yet all who heed her call will disappear into the misty fugue.Awakening their new ally is only the beginning as Luke, Nyx, and their friends head south to the desert city of Bor’daruk. Hunting for another temple once used to seal Baron Kernaghan, they are unaware that the game of destiny has changed. Out for blood and pain, Stephen is determined to make Luke wish he’d never set out to become a hero.By the time the sun sets on Bor’daruk, minds will be shattered and the champions’ lives will be changed forever.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review for 'Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’
(Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz
Experience for the first time or continue reading as the ‘Legends Of Windemere’ captures your imagination as ‘Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ continues this epic fantasy with book 7 by Charles E. Yallowitz.If you were mesmerized by the game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ or enjoyed reading ‘The Hobbit’ series you will not want to miss the mystical inhabitants of Windemere! Author Charles E. Yallowitz weaves an intriguing tale in a world where good and evil collide and is quite often underestimated.Well defined characters who add depth, personality and the ability to draw the reader into the fantasy world of Windemere will hold your attention as the drama unfolds in this mystical place. The creative thought process of the author brings Windemere to life with fast paced descriptive intrigue. I quote two sections below to show the author’s writing style without spoiling the story.“Several silent minutes after Gabriel disappears, Zaria lets out a musical sigh and merges with the mist. She weaves among the trees and cursed mortals, none of them noticing her presence. The goddess is near the edge of a clearing when a purple barrier appears and deflects her rapid approach. She returns to her solid form and gets as close to the powerful shield as she can. Sparks of magic burst from the glistening dome, leaving burn marks on her dress that she ignores. All of Zaria’s attention is on the canopy bed in the middle of the clearing where a cloaked form is sleeping.”“Only a matter of days now, Dariana,” the goddess whispers, wiping a pristine tear from her cheek. “Only a matter of days.”I invite you to start reading the Legends Of Windemere' series today!Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue’ (Legends Of Windemere Book 7) by Charles E. Yallowitz as an epic fantasy where the author’s imagination brings legends to life. We received this book in a PDF format for review. Review was completed on April 12, 2015. For more details please visit Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com


Amazon Review #1
Amazon Review #2
Amazon Print Purchase Link
Kindle Purchase LinkAuthor Charles E. Yallowitz’s Published Books:
Allure Of The Gypsies (Legends Of Windemere Book 3)
Bestiary Of Blatherhorn Vale
Catalysts
Curse Of The Dark Wind (Legends Of Windemere Book 6)
Legends Of Windemere: Beginning Of A Hero
Legends Of Windemere: Family Of The Tri-Rune (Book 4)
Legends Of Windemere: Prodigy Of Rainbow Tower (Book 2)
Sleeper Of The Wildwood Fugue (Legends Of Windemere Book 7)
The Compass Key (Legends Of Windemere Book 5)
The Hopeteller
Author Charles E. Yallowitz’s Website and Related Links:
Amazon Author’s Page
Website
Blog
Goodreads
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Cold Coffee Café Author Charles E. Yallowitz
Cold Coffee Press Author Charles E. Yallowitz

Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Barbara M. Hodges

  Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Barbara M. Hodges
Barbara M. Hodges lives on the central coast of CA. She shares her life with her husband Jeff, two basset hounds (Hamlet and Heidi) and a ginger-striped tabby cat, Wallace. 
Barbara is the author or co-author of nine novels. When she is not writing she enjoys going to and watching NASCAR on television as well as decorative painting. 
*************************
Interview:
What, or who, inspired you to become a writer? My mom, Jean Stites
When did you begin writing with the intention of being published? I was a late bloomer, not until my early 40's.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and why? I am the oldest of four children.  My mom read to us all, when I learned to read, I took care of the story sharing.  It began my love for words and led to becoming an author. 
Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript(s)? It's worked both ways. I knew the title for ‘Ice’, before the first word was written.  The same with ‘The Blue Flame’. ‘The Emerald Dagger’ and ‘The Silver Angel’.  With the others the book titles were not apparent until the story was told.
Why do you write in the genre(s) that you’ve chosen? I write in genres I love to read, mystery, suspense, fantasy, and a little science fiction. 
What has been your most rewarding experience while in the writing process? Having people say 1 they love my books and question as to when the next one will be out.
What has been your most negative experience while in the writing process? Promoting and marketing is difficult.  I've set in book stores for hours and not signed one book. 
What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? Recently I’ve entered the arena of Indi-publishing. Since I’m a control freak I love designing my own book covers and having a bigger return of value for time is nice too.  
What has been your most negative experience in your publishing journey? I love writing, so it's hard to find a negative.  I guess it would be when a publisher I’m with has to cease publishing.  By then they've become friends and it is sad to say goodbye. 
What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Don't let the rejection slips get you down. 
Who is your favorite author and why? Oh that is so hard.  My favorite author can change week to week.  I love discovering new ones.  Right now it is Pamela Beason and Shannon Mayer. Love them, and highly recommend.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us? I do a once a month internet radio broadcast on Blog Talk Radio.  It is the third Tuesday of the month at 3:00 PM Pacific Time. The show’s name is No Limits. I talk with those involved in the field of writing.  I also do interviews for Mysterical-E, which is an online mystery magazine.
Barbara M. Hodges Published Titles (Some of her books are written with co-authors):
A Spiral Of Echoes
Aftermath
Ice
One Last Sin
Return Of The Ancients
Scattered Hearts
Shadow Worlds
The Blue Flame
The Emerald Dagger
The Silver Angel

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One Last Sin by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower
The fiery crash of a private jet leaves a mystery in its wreckage. Alone in the devastation is a man, unhurt who has no memory of the crash, himself or his past. It is up to FBI Agent Gail Crane, Santa Maria Police Detective Darcie Devonshire and Ex-CIA Operative Morgan Garrett to solve the puzzle. Not an easy task, because for each question answered, two surface to take its place.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For One Last Sin
by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower
One Last Sin by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower is a suspense mystery that begins with a fiery Lear Jet crash. First impressions from the emergency responders indicates that one pilot, one co-pilot and two passengers are dead and burned beyond recognition. Within minutes the crash scene becomes an active investigation as a man with no visible signs of injury is found on the ground outside the cockpit. 
Soon it becomes apparent to the first responders that this suspected survivor has no memory of the crash or even his own identity. A well trained team comes together including Special FBI Agent Gail Crane, Detective Darcie Carmichael of the Santa Maria Police Department and ex-CIA Operative Morgan Garrett to solve the mystery of this unidentified man and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A mystery plot with well-developed characters and easy to follow dialog moves the investigation forward with writing that puts the reader in the present and quickly turns to action that grabs the reader’s attention. “I strolled past the entrance of the Luxor, walked away from the noise and hubbub of the busy casino. I stopped to watch the busy traffic, shook my head. Everyone rushed around like there was no tomorrow, and I’d bet they’d all come here to relax and have fun. We Americans could learn a lot from the African natives live easy and take it one day at a time. Now where did that come from? I don’t suppose I’ll ever get used to these random thoughts that seem to sprout from nowhere. God, will I ever remember my entire past? The splat sound came from behind me. Concrete chips splattered on my pants leg from the wall a few feet away. I turned toward the street. Damn, someone’s shooting. Hell, they’re shooting at me, and they’re using a silencer.”
Twists and turns will keep the reader engaged as more questions arise as some influential people might be involved in this multi-mystery drama. Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower has also authored ‘Ice’, another suspense filled mystery.
Barbara M. Hodges has published titles of her own which include ‘Aftermath’, ‘Return Of The Ancients: A Story Of Daradawn’, ‘The Blue Flame’ (Daradawn Book 1), ‘The Emerald Dagger’ (Daradawn Book 2) and ‘The Silver Angel’ (Daradawn Book 3). In addition to ‘Ice’ and ‘One Last Sin’ Barbara has co-authored ‘A Spiral Of Echoes’, ‘Shadow Worlds’ and she is included in one anthology titled ‘Scattered Hearts’.
Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘One Last Sin’ by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower as a suspense mystery that will engage sleuth appetites. We received this book in a PDF format for review. The review was completed on April 1, 2015. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com
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Amazon Customer Reviews
Amazon Print Purchase LinkKindle Purchase LinkBarnes and Noble Print Purchase Link

Barbara M. Hodges Published Titles (Some of her books are written with co-authors):
A Spiral Of Echoes
Aftermath
Ice
One Last Sin
Return Of The Ancients
Scattered Hearts
Shadow Worlds
The Blue Flame
The Emerald Dagger
The Silver Angel
Barbara M. Hodges Amazon Author’s Page
Barbara M. Hodges’ Website
Cold Coffee Café Author Barbara M. Hodges
Cold Coffee Press Author Barbara M. Hodges

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For One Last Sin by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower

One Last Sin by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower
The fiery crash of a private jet leaves a mystery in its wreckage. Alone in the devastation is a man, unhurt who has no memory of the crash, himself or his past. It is up to FBI Agent Gail Crane, Santa Maria Police Detective Darcie Devonshire and Ex-CIA Operative Morgan Garrett to solve the puzzle. Not an easy task, because for each question answered, two surface to take its place.
Cold Coffee Press Book Review For One Last Sin
by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower
One Last Sin by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower is a suspense mystery that begins with a fiery Lear Jet crash. First impressions from the emergency responders indicates that one pilot, one co-pilot and two passengers are dead and burned beyond recognition. Within minutes the crash scene becomes an active investigation as a man with no visible signs of injury is found on the ground outside the cockpit. 
Soon it becomes apparent to the first responders that this suspected survivor has no memory of the crash or even his own identity. A well trained team comes together including Special FBI Agent Gail Crane, Detective Darcie Carmichael of the Santa Maria Police Department and ex-CIA Operative Morgan Garrett to solve the mystery of this unidentified man and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A mystery plot with well-developed characters and easy to follow dialog moves the investigation forward with writing that puts the reader in the present and quickly turns to action that grabs the reader’s attention. “I strolled past the entrance of the Luxor, walked away from the noise and hubbub of the busy casino. I stopped to watch the busy traffic, shook my head. Everyone rushed around like there was no tomorrow, and I’d bet they’d all come here to relax and have fun. We Americans could learn a lot from the African natives live easy and take it one day at a time. Now where did that come from? I don’t suppose I’ll ever get used to these random thoughts that seem to sprout from nowhere. God, will I ever remember my entire past? The splat sound came from behind me. Concrete chips splattered on my pants leg from the wall a few feet away. I turned toward the street. Damn, someone’s shooting. Hell, they’re shooting at me, and they’re using a silencer.”
Twists and turns will keep the reader engaged as more questions arise as some influential people might be involved in this multi-mystery drama. Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower has also authored ‘Ice’, another suspense filled mystery.
Barbara M. Hodges has published titles of her own which include ‘Aftermath’, ‘Return Of The Ancients: A Story Of Daradawn’, ‘The Blue Flame’ (Daradawn Book 1), ‘The Emerald Dagger’ (Daradawn Book 2) and ‘The Silver Angel’ (Daradawn Book 3). In addition to ‘Ice’ and ‘One Last Sin’ Barbara has co-authored ‘A Spiral Of Echoes’, ‘Shadow Worlds’ and she is included in one anthology titled ‘Scattered Hearts’.
Cold Coffee Press endorses ‘One Last Sin’ by Barbara M. Hodges and Randolph Tower as a suspense mystery that will engage sleuth appetites. We received this book in a PDF format for review. The review was completed on April 1, 2015. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press. http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

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Barbara M. Hodges Published Titles (Some of her books are written with co-authors):
A Spiral Of Echoes
Aftermath
Ice
One Last Sin
Return Of The Ancients
Scattered Hearts
Shadow Worlds
The Blue Flame
The Emerald Dagger
The Silver Angel
Barbara M. Hodges Amazon Author’s Page
Barbara M. Hodges’ Website
Cold Coffee Café Author Barbara M. Hodges
Cold Coffee Press Author Barbara M. Hodges