C.A. Milson's Blog, page 186
June 21, 2016
Book Launch ~ The Intergalactic custody battle
Last Sunday (June 19th), Lee J. Mavin launched his book, The Intergalactic Custody Battle at Glee Books, Sydney.
What a turn-out! The book launch was a fantastic success! Thanks everyone for coming
Stay Tuned for more events
Filed under: Events Tagged: Book Signing, Lee J. Mavin, The Intergalactic Custody Battle, The Students Sold Us Secrets Series
June 2, 2016
Provisionally Approved Episode 37 – Bogan Bachelor
This week some of us from Bogan Bachelor had the pleasure of being guests on Provisionally Approved, with host Maria Romas.
Some candid fun moments BTS, and more. Check it out peeps![image error]
So many thanks to the crew of Provisionally Approved and RMITV.
Filed under: filming, Interviews, Media Tagged: Bogan Bachelor, Chris Jackson, Jason Deane, Maria Romas, Melissa Barlas, Provisionally Approved, RMITV, Tony Kotsopoulos
Release Blitz ~ A Dangerous Green
About the Book
Title: A Dangerous Green
Author: Stacy Hall
Genre: Fantasy
The Sanctioned Realm is being hijacked by a cruel and power-hungry king. King Zaranth isn’t like other Touched humans who can command animals, plant life, or the ancient elements. His Death Touched ability not only yields him virtually indestructible, but gives him power over the minds of humans he chooses. He’s
using his involuntary servants to seize the realm and shape it to his own crushing desires.
After Vandara Datore witnesses King Zaranth murder her beloved sister, she vows revenge. She partners with a group of Touched vigilantes called the Fist, who are committed to ending King Zaranth’s rule. As an unlikely sword master with magical abilities to control plant life, Van becomes the Fist’s favorite weapon. While in search of the King’s right-hand witch, Van believes she’s closer than ever to gaining her
revenge. However, she’s about to discover that her enemies are not who she thinks they are… and neither are her friends.
Author Bio
Stacy Hall is the author of the Sanctioned Realm series and has had flash fiction published at Flash Fiction Magazine and 101 Words. In her free time she enjoys sewing and all things crafty.
Links
http://www.sanctionedrealm.com/
Buy on Amazon.
Filed under: Release Blitz Tagged: A Dangerous Green, Enchanted book promotions, Stacy Hall
May 25, 2016
VBT – Violated by Carolyn Arnold
Violated
by Carolyn Arnold
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Police Procedural, Thriller
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BLURB:
Sometimes the past should stay there…
The murder is one of the most heinous Brandon Fisher has ever seen, but that’s not why it has his and his colleagues’ attention. The FBI’s interested because the prime suspect is one of their own, Paige Dawson.
But Paige didn’t go to Valencia, California to kill anyone. She had set out on “vacation”—her new lover in tow—only to confront the man who had raped her friend twenty-some years ago. While the hands of the law are tied, she wants him to face the fact that he destroyed a young woman’s life and know that, as an FBI agent, she’ll be watching his every move. But instead of accomplishing her goal, she wound up in the back of a police cruiser.
Now Paige must face off with a hard-nosed detective determined to stick a murder charge to a fed. But with the trained eyes of the FBI on the case, it’s becoming more and more obvious that the evidence lends itself to a serial killing, not an isolated incident. And as long as the local authorities are focused on Paige, the real murderer is still out there, possibly waiting to strike again…
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BOOK EXCERPT
MONDAY, AUGUST 24TH, 11:10 PM PACIFIC TIME
CANYON COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA
THE MARK WAS IN HIS FORTIES, had no kids, and worked a white-collar job. Average height, average looks. Nothing was truly memorable about him except for his uncommon first name, and that was only because it belonged to a character from a popular eighties movie.
Ferris Hall.
She had followed him to some honky-tonk in Canyon Country, an unsavory location at any time of day, but factor in the late hour and it was even worse. But Ferris had chosen this dive as his hunting ground. Women were easier to lure in with a little chemical persuasion, and that was easy to pass off around here.
He entered the bar with head held high, his back straight, the tease of a smirk on his lips—the end of the evening a foregone conclusion in his mind. He was sipping on his first bourbon, though he was acting as if he was on his third by slurring his words and talking loudly. He’d even thrown a sway into his swagger. Somehow he always managed to make his eyes look bloodshot, too, furthering the charade. And the women would come. And the women would fall for his tricks.
Tonight, she’d be that woman, but she’d be his last. He had to learn there was a price to pay for his actions.
She was sitting down the bar from him. Occasionally, he’d pass her a look—the predatory kind that made her blood boil. She smiled at him, doing her best to convey carnal hunger with her gaze, smearing on a seductive curve to her lips. She dipped her finger into her manhattan and sucked on it—the cherry juice sweet, the whiskey bitter.
Ferris was off his stool and sidling up her to within three seconds.
The ruse worked every time. It also helped that she exploited what nature had given her—a slender frame and shapely legs. High heels accentuated her well-defined calf muscles, and men stared when she walked into a room. When she paired even higher stilettos with a short skirt and crossed her legs, men’s mouths tended to fall open. She utilized all these virtues tonight.
She flashed another sultry smile, and he lifted his glass toward her before tilting his own back and draining it. He set it back on the bar and knocked on it to get the bartender’s attention.
“I’ll have another on the rocks and—” he rolled his head toward her “—get the lady whatever she’d like.”
Time to feign innocence and flattery.
She waved a dismissive hand in his direction. “I really shouldn’t.”
She saw the quick look he gave her glass before meeting her eyes again. “Nonsense. Please, it would be my treat.”
If she stripped his voice of its candy-coated tone, his words were pushy and controlling.
“Well”—she angled her glass, showing how little of her drink she had left—“only if you’re sure.”
If she had actually been given a chance to prove her acting skills, she could be living in a sprawling mansion by now.
“Absolutely. What will it be?” Ferris asked, a grin teasing his lips as he tugged down on his left earlobe. It wasn’t hard for her to figure out what was going on. Ferris was asking for something “special” to be added to her drink—the “special” being some kind of date-rape drug.
She lifted her glass to the bartender. “Another manhattan.”
“Coming right up.” The tender left to make their drinks, and she watched him, taking the time to calm her heartbeat and flow of adrenaline.
“I like a woman who can handle her whiskey.” Ferris was looking quite comfortable beside her now. He was fully facing her, his left elbow perched on the counter, and he wasn’t discreet about his drifting gaze, which gravitated to her thighs.
“What can I say? I’m a little whiskey girl.” The words from the country song rolled off her tongue, cinching her gut, but she had to do what was necessary to pull him in.
“Toby Keith,” he said.
“Pardon?”
“Toby Keith.” He pointed to a speaker on the ceiling. “The singer who sings that one.”
“Ah, yes.” And here, she thought she was doing well by knowing it was even a country song. She smiled at him again. He truly thought of himself as a woman’s man.
Pathetic.
“Have I seen you here before?” he asked.
She dipped her head.
“I knew it. I never forget a beautiful face. So what’s your name?”
“Names really aren’t important, are they, baby?” She extended her hand, her long, narrow fingers bowing before him in feminine elegance.
“Oh, she’s mysterious. I like it.” He kissed the back of her hand, and she was proud of herself for not rolling her eyes.
The bartender returned and placed their drinks in front of them. “Here you go.”
From her observations, Ferris seemed to keep a running tab here. Rape now, pay later?
Oh, and Ferris would pay…
“You never told me your name,” she said, falling into her role.
“Oh, I can tell you mine, but you can’t—”
“Uh-huh.” She sucked on the tip of her finger again.
“Ferris.” He still held onto her other hand, and she pulled it back shyly.
“Are you from around here?” she asked, resorting to the necessity of small talk.
“I just fly in from time to time for business.”
“Ah.” She’d have to call upon her acting skills for this performance. She knew he lived less than three miles away from this place. “What business?”
He tapped his jacket pockets, then slid a hand inside one. “How embarrassing. I don’t have any cards with me. Besides, I don’t really want to bore you. Why don’t we talk about you?” He leaned toward her and lifted his rocks glass. “To a fun night.”
“To one we won’t remember.”
They toasted, and he took a long pull of the amber liquid. She pressed her own glass to her lips and pretended to take a sip.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
CAROLYN ARNOLD is the international best-selling and award-winning author of the Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher, and McKinley Mystery series. She is the only author with POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.™
Carolyn was born in a small town, but that doesn’t keep her from dreaming big. And on par with her large dreams is her overactive imagination that conjures up killers and cases to solve. She currently lives in a city near Toronto with her husband and beagle. She is also a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:
Website – http://carolynarnold.net/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold
And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBooks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Carolyn Arnold will be awarding a $25 through Paypal to a randomly drawn winner during the tour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2016/04/vbt-violated-by-carolyn-arnold.html
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookexcerpt, #Carolyn_Arnold, #LiveForward, Carolyn Arnold, Goddess Fish Promotions, Rafflecopter giveaway, VBT, Violated
May 22, 2016
VBT – HAND OVER FIST
Hand Over Fist
by Michael Ross
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GENRE: Thriller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB
When an old friend disappears, Martin learns nothing is what it seems…
Martin Russell can barely face the future. With dismal life prospects and an estranged family, he is at the end of his rope. When an old friend, Hannah, elbows her way back into his life, Martin’s luck begins to turn around.
Hidden within the shadows of evil, there must be some good…
Ex-policeman Bobby Tanner lost everything one rage-filled night. Now he runs a reading group for alcoholics where he meets a young drug dealer, Zack, who disturbs him in a way that’s hard to define. Bobby soon discovers the teenager is in over his head and has been dealing with a despicable individual known as The Chemist.
The roots of evil run deeper than we imagine…
Martin’s lucky streak begins to unravel when Hannah suddenly goes missing, and he turns to a friend of a friend, Bobby, for help. Thrust into an underworld empire of corruption and half-truths, he learns his friend may not be who he thought she was.
In a shadowed world of deception, stalkers, and despicable drug dealers, Bobby and Martin must uncover the truth, and fast…
Several lives depend on it.
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BOOK EXCERPT
…but there was something gnawing away at him; something about Zachary Jackson that was just not right. He seemed like a good kid, a good son to a troubled mother and a dying father. But now Bobby stood in the shadows watching Zack leave The Chemist’s house and he cursed his sixth sense.
The Chemist’s house was one of a pair of semis that were angled at the end of Shortcross Drive. The area was the roughest part of the city, an independent borough with its own self-administered terms of crime and punishment. The crimes that carried the heaviest forms of punishment were those that affected The Chemist negatively. Punishments ranged from being forced to cut his lawn for a month to having both your knees smashed by a crow bar. And even worse penalties if you failed to insist to A&E staff that you’d been hit by a car.
By the time the local police force had recognised The Chemist’s power, it was easier to leave him well alone than to face the cost of breaking down his power base. The semi detached council house was fortified more strongly than a clearing bank’s vault. Over the years, every door and window had been replaced and so heavily reinforced that it would take a tank to force entry into the property.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
It was a strange and twisting road that led to the publication of my first novel. From my humble beginnings, as an office clerk, to ownership of a multi-million dollar business I always maintained my love for literature.
Born and raised in Bristol, England. I spent most of my life in business, my companies turning over in the region of $500 million. The majority of that time marketing cars, eventually owning the largest Saab specialist in the world, before a bitter divorce forced me rethink my priorities. Particularly between 2003 and 2005 when I had to accept that I was no longer a millionaire but literally penniless. I avoided bankruptcy by the skin of my teeth and slowly rebuilt my life.
This led me to the life changing decision to leave the bustling city and move to live halfway up a mountain in the Welsh valleys. At the same time I started a part time six year English Literature course at Bristol University, and attended creative writing classes at Cardiff University. I left school at sixteen and this was my first taste of further education and an immense challenge.
I eventually adjusted my thinking to the academic life, and on 30 June 2015 had confirmation of my 2.1(Hons) degree from Bristol University. At the same time I also won the prestigious Hopkins Prize for my essay on Virginia Woolf and the unsaid within her text. Now the university courses are finished it will, with any luck, gives me plenty of extra time that I can devote to my fiction writing.
Thanks to the university experiences, my interest in English literature has flourished over recent years. Hopefully I have evolved as a writer from my earlier work in short stories (over ninety of them.) Although interestingly my first three novels have all been developed from a long forgotten short story.
Life is, once again, very good, and I live very happily halfway up a mountain, in the Welsh Valleys, with my wonderful partner Mari, and our rescue dog Wolfie.
Facebook www.facebook.com/michaelross.writer
Twitter @mikerosswriter
Website www.michaelrosswriter.com
Blog http://mikerosswriter.wordpress.com
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Michael will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC! A Rafflecopter Giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2016/03/vbt-hand-over-fist-by-michael-ross.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview With ….
Michael, thanks for being here today. Tell us about you.
I was self employed from the age of nineteen, and in retrospect I was, what is called nowadays, an entrepreneur. I owned a finance company, an art gallery, an antiques centre, I was a director of a PLC, and of a professional football club, and several car sales sites and workshops. Turning over close to $500m in my lifetime. Before a bloody divorce I was a millionaire, after the divorce I was insolvent. In an eighteen month period my life went to sh*t.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Leonardo da Vinci. Just to spend time in the company of that extraordinary brain would be mind blowing (I know what I’ve done there!)
What’s the story behind your latest book?
There is bits of my DNA in all my major characters, men who have hit rock bottom and survived. Two characters who against all odds are rebuilding their lives, and with the disappearance of a friend how their lives interact to overcome the odds. I have a couple of villains of whom I am really proud, Nash and The Chemist are the most vilest of creatures.
What is your writing process?
I like to walk my dog Wolfie around the hills near where I live, and think about my stories without interruptions. My partner is a professional musician and she hates music being on in the house , so I have got used to writing with no background noise.
Tell us about your main character:
Bobby Tanner has hit rock bottom, he is an ex copper who has disgraced himself and served a prison sentence, but he is a really decent human being who grabs the opportunity to rebuild his life.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.
Tom Hardy – such a talented actor, who can dig really deep into a character
What are you working on next?
The third book in the Out Of Hand series (number two is already ‘in the bag.’)
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?
Write for pleasure not money, accept it is a long arduous journey, take pride in your work, and type with your fingers permanently crossed.
What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I am a survivor. Over the years I got sick and tired of people saying that to me. “Don’t worry mike, you’re a survivor.” Ahhhhhh.
You are given the choice of one super power. What super power would you have and why?
Rather glib, but the ability to time travel and lurk around Dallas 11.22.63 and find out the truth of that day.
List 5 things on your bucket list:
I’ve done so much in my lifetime I’m struggling. Visit Peru. One more fall in New England, which is probably my problem, that most of the items on my bucket list would be repeating stuff that I have already done.
Any final thoughts?
Thank you so much for stretching the muscles in my brain.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookexcerpt, #bucketlist, #mikerosswriter, author interview, author promo tips, Goddess Fish Promotions, HAND OVER FIST, Michael Ross, Rafflecopter giveaway, writing tips
May 17, 2016
Friends from Afar ~ A Short Film by W.D. Stevens
Coming this Friday – Friends from Afar, a short film by W.D. Stevens.
“Being a caretaker means more than just clearing away the weeds.”
Starring Alan Claridge with a massive ensemble cast consisting of David Jackson (son of Chris Jackson, who also makes a small appearance) Bhaskar Cherukuri, Jim Cairns, Judi Clark and Jill Damerow.
Follow on Facebook.
Filed under: filming Tagged: Friends from Afar, W.D. Stevens
May 15, 2016
VBT ~ Time to Live and Time to Die
Inside the Book:
Title: Time to Die
Author: John Gilstrap
Release Date: May 10, 2016
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Format: Ebook
WIN, LOSE, OR DIE
In the fourth electrifying installment of John Gilstrap’s five-part novel, a desperate manhunt for two reckless lovers takes a dangerous turn—heading straight for a dead end . . .
Nicki Janssen is no longer the innocent little girl her father thinks she is. She’s a wanted criminal on the run—with a convicted killer she thought she could trust . . .
Brad Ward knows he can’t outrun the cops forever. But it’s too late to stop now. With Nicki’s life and health at risk, he’s got no time to waste—and nothing left to lose . . .
Speeding away from the scene of a brutal robbery-murder, the lovers manage to stay one step ahead of the law. Nicki’s father, Carter Janssen, teams up with Deputy Sheriff Darla Sweet to follow their trail across North Carolina. But when Alex and Nicki hijack a car—and take two hostages with them—all bets are off. All stakes are raised. And all roads lead straight to danger . . .
“Grabs hold of you on page one and doesn’t let go.”—Harlan Coben
“Gilstrap as a master of jaw-dropping action and heart-squeezing suspense.”—Austin Camacho
“If you like Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, you’ll love John Gilstrap.”—Gayle Lynds
“Gilstrap is one of the finest thriller writers on the planet.”—Tess Gerritsen
Inside the Book:
Title: Time to Live
Author: John Gilstrap
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Format: Ebook
Fasten Your Seatbelts
In the explosive conclusion of John Gilstrap’s five-part novel, the high-speed pursuit of two fugitive lovers kicks into overdrive–on the ultimate collison course with destiny . . .
Nick Of Time
Part 5: Time to Live
After plotting their escape, evading the police, and witnessing a murder, Nicki and Brad have reached the end of the line–and there’s nowhere left to hide . . .
Holed up in a house in a North Carolina fishing village, they’ve run out of time, run out of luck, and run out of options. All they’ve got are a couple of hostages . . .
Two innocent people–a feisty senior and her grandson–are the bargaining chips Alex needs to buy more time. But Nicki can’t wait any longer. Her life is in jeopardy, and her father is desperate enough to do anything to save her. Deputy Sheriff Darla Sweet is finding evidence that could change everything for the young lovers. But when every second counts, the only real justice comes in a hail of bullets. . .
“Gilstrap is a master of action and drama.”–Gayle Lynds
“When you pick up a Gilstrap novel, one thing is always true–you are going to be entertained at a high rate of speed.”–Suspense Magazine
“One of the best thriller writers.”–Genre Go Round
Meet the Author:
John Gilstrap is the acclaimed author of eight thrillers: Threat Warning, Hostage Zero, No Mercy, Six Minutes To Freedom, Scott Free, Even Steven, At All Costs, and Nathan’s Run. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. A safety and environmental expert and former firefighter, he holds a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. John has also adapted four books for the big screen: Red Dragon (uncredited) from the Thomas Harris novel, Word Of Honor from the Nelson DeMille novel; and Young Men And Fire, from the Norman Maclean book. He lives in near Washington, D.C.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #JohnGilstrap, John Gilstrap, PUYB, Time to Die, Time to Live, virtual book tour
Release Blitz ~ Leadership Wisdom
About the Book
Title: Leadership Wisdom
Author: Bob Vanourek
Genre: Nonfiction
Discover the timeless, inspiring wisdom of leadership from the sage masters of literature and other outstanding leaders written over the centuries right up to the present day.
Bob has selected over 70 poems, prose or speech passages, and curious verse, each with an insightful leadership message. He combines these pearls with bite-sized chunks of engaging commentary from his own vast leadership experience.
Then he closes each entry with practical applications that each reader can use immediately.
You’ll hear from an amazing array of poets, presidents, prime ministers, political leaders, social activists, soldiers, educators, journalists, business leaders, the Bible, religious leaders from many faiths, Native Americans, a lyricist, and relatively unknown authors.
This treasure of wisdom will activate your creative right-brain and then challenge your logical left-brain. The Foreword written by noted leadership authorities, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, captures it well:
“This is an inspiring book … an informative and practical book … a book full of the author’s personal reflections, which stimulates you to think deeply … an antidote to the hubris of know-it-all executives and authors … a fast-read book; however, read it slowly, and savor it to the last drop. This book will surprise you with its insights and simple truths. This book is a treasure…”
You’ll want to give copies to people you care about.
Author Bio
This book was fun to write. There are too many books out there now with some new leadership model, some fable about fictitious characters, or some pithy leadership quotes without much in the way of how to apply them to your life. I wanted to write a different book about leadership.
I have been a student of leadership and poetry my whole life. I love good literature and have found keen insights into the human condition from the master writers of history.
So, why not look to the poets, prose writers, and famous speeches of history to see what the masters have already said about leadership? The answers we need today are all there. It’s been said before, and said very well. But how many people today are reading great literature or poetry? Not many, I fear.
So, I’ve made it easy for you the reader. I’ve selected over 70 poems, prose passages, excerpts from great speeches, song lyrics, or what I call “curious verse,” each with a leadership message that resonates with me. I place those passages on the left page of the open book. Then on the right page I tell you a bit about the author and context. Then I offer my commentary on the passage, drawing on my experiences, good and bad, in leading many companies, as well as the wisdom of the true leadership gurus of our time. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I close with some practical applications that you, the reader, can use immediately to take this pearl of wisdom and apply to your own life. The result is a powerful combination of left and right-brain thinking.
I sent a draft of the manuscript to some tough, seasoned leaders and experts whom I respect and asked them to give me their candid feedback. I was humbled by their words:
“inspiring” “informative” “practical” “a treasure” “engaging”
“thought provoking” “superb” “enlightening”
“brilliant” “simply genius” “a delight to read” “a must read”
“a treasury of leadership wisdom” “a breakthrough”
“timeless wisdom” “heartfelt” “I loved it”
I hope and trust that you will enjoy the compendium of leadership wisdom I have gathered here. Good luck and Godspeed on your leadership quest.
Links
Buy the Book on Amazon
Buy the Book on iTunes
Filed under: Release Blitz Tagged: Bob Vanourek, Enchanted book promotions, Leadership Wisdom, Release Blitz
May 11, 2016
VBT – SERPENTS AND DOVES
Serpents and Doves
by G. Lloyd Helm
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GENRE: Literary Fiction
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BLURB:
Stephen Mitchell did not know what he was getting into at a small church college in Tennessee. Sex, protest, friendship, and Civil rights. The title “Serpents and Doves” comes from the warning Jesus gave to his disciples as he sent them out to preach the gospel, knowing the dangers they were going into. He said “I send you out as sheep among wolves, therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Stephen Mitchell learns first-hand what that warning means when he goes to a Tennessee church college in the midst of the turbulent 60’s. He learns about friendship, war, protest, the sexual revolution, and civil rights.
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BOOK EXCERPT
Ethan’s suicide rocked the school, but not nearly as much as Stephen expected. The New Jersey and New York folks mostly didn’t know anything about Ethan or the BSU so they noted the suicide as a bit of news, but it didn’t effect them much. There was some anti-homosexual noise and the inevitable nasty jokes, but Ethan Patrick’s passing caused no more than a ripple for the most part.
There was some noise and protest from the Mason First Baptist Church when Billie Jo asked them to hold the funeral service, but finally they said they would bury him, but not in the church cemetery. They ignored the fact of his suicide and the reasons for it and held a small service. Stephen debated with himself whether he should go. He had about decided not to when Cathy Powell cornered him and asked if he would go with her. “I really don’t have the strength Steve,” she said. “I’m just a wreck. Can’t you please come with me?”
Stephen seriously thought about saying, Why don’t you go ask David Hall? But didn’t say it. “All right. I’ll meet you at the church.”
She smiled sadly, but Stephen thought he saw just the smallest glimmer of triumph in it.
The coffin was set across the aisle in front of the altar. Closed. It was silvery gray and looked more like a large tin can than a coffin. The congregation was small, mostly people from the BSU but a few from Beacon’s faculty including Dr. Conners and Dr. Marchant. Having the Pope there was no surprise. Probably here to make sure the sumbitch is really dead, Stephen thought, and then felt bad about thinking it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
G. Lloyd Helm has been writing for 40 years, having published poetry in a wide variety of magazines and newspapers including “The New York Poetry Anthology,” “Stars and Stripes News,” “The Los Angeles Times,” “The Antelope Valley Press,” and “The Antelope Valley Anthologies,” among others.
… Has published short stories and memoirs both in the US and in England in such journals as “Pligrimage” which published the memoir “Football” in spring 2005, and a second memoir “4 April, 1968” in the winter of 2008. He has published short stories in “Citadel” the literary magazine of Los Angeles City College,” “Delivered Magazine,” which is based in London, “Short Story Library,” The University of S. Illinois’ “Eureka Literary Magazine,” “Tales as like as not,” and London’s “Black Gate Magazine.” Recently published “Even Up” a Civil War Ghost story at http://www.ruthlesspeoples.com, an English on line magazine, and the short story “A Lovely Elephant” in “Delivered Magazine” an English fiction journal. “The Other Fellows Shoes,” Pulp Empire III, Metahuman Press, Cedar Rapids, IA Nov. 2010. Is being published in an on line experiment from Alfie Dog Publishing in England. May 2012.
…Has published three novels in the F&SF field, 1) OTHER DOORS, From MousePrints Publishing, and 2) DESIGN from American Star. 3) WORLD WITHOUT END from Rogue Phoenix Press, www.roguephoenixpress.com
OTHER DOORS, originally published in 1997, was published electronically by Rogue Phoenix Press in July 2010. Also Published a literary Romance novel called SOMETIMES IN DREAMS, from Siren’s call. Most recently a volume of short stories called TRAIN WHEELS, FLYING SAUCERS, AND THE GHOST OF TIBURCIO VASQUEZ. Many of these stories appear on the Alfie Dog site.
…Is in process of publishing an adult literary novel called SERPENTS AND DOVES with Rogue Phoenix Press, which will be out in May 2016.
Pre-Order: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EW6D4D2
LINKS:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2809594.G_Lloyd_Helm
http://www.amazon.com/G.-Lloyd-Helm/e/B007QEJNDI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
G. Lloyd Helm will be awarding 10 paperback copies of the book to10 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. (international giveaway)
Enter to win a copy of the book – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Interview With…
Thanks for being my guest today. Tell us about you.
Me as a person is pretty much what you see is what you get. Unusual is that I spent twenty two years as an Air Force Spouse, which was pretty strange. When we went in there were less than half a dozen reversed couples in the Air Force, that is wife as active duty, husband as dependant. It’s pretty common now, but when we were in there were things like “The Enlisted Wives Club.” Because of me and a few others those are now called “The Enlisted Spouses club.” Other things are that I am rather a grouch. When I am out in public I usually keep my grouch-a-tude to myself but if you catch me at home and busy working you are liable to get your head bitten off.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
There are a couple, but I would love to hang out with Mark Twain. He seems like my kind of guy. He is witty and sharp but he can also be cutting and bitter. He’s a pretty good writer too.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Serpents and Doves is me trying to sort out a piece of my life that was like the Chinese Curse, “May you live in interesting times.” They were interesting times OK, between the Vietnam war, the protests of same, the Civil Rights movement, and the Sexual Revolution the sixties were pretty hairy. I was somewhat shielded from it by being in a small church college, but not completely.
What is your writing process?
My process is pretty simple–get off your ass and go to work. That being said, the major difficulty with it is that sometimes defeating the inertia that infects me is pretty tough. I don’t know why it is sometimes so hard for me to actually work. I know it will make me feel better, less depressed, but I sometimes resist it like a baby fighting sleep. When I actually win the battle against inertia I like to listen to old time rock and roll radio. We have a great radio station for that here in the Antelope Valley. They play everything from the Fifties through the seventies.
Tell us about your main character
The Protagonist in Serpents and Doves is basically me. The situations into which Stephen goes are fiction but they are fiction with some of the colors of truth. He is a naive church boy who discovers how naive he is when he gets to college. He has some incipient prejudices about race, and church and sexuality which collapse in the face of reality as the story progresses.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.
I don’t really know. It would need to be a younger actor than there is out there right now. Fresh faced and open. Leo DeCaprio would have been good a few years ago but he is too old now, and I don’t really know any others at the moment
What are you working on next?
I am working on a couple of things right now. The main one is a movie script taken from my first novel Other Doors. It is a fantasy but of a very different kind. It is a story about a man who can stop war by simply saying STOP! It is set in a world of ancient war like ancient Rome where the battles are with sword and spear. But that world and this one resist peace and achieving more and more peace in that world causes the world to fall out of balance, nevertheless the peace grows and infects the whole world. When the book first came out there was resistance. So much that I finally had to put a publishing company together and publish it myself. Since it came out in 1996 I have sold hundreds of them on Military bases. I am proud to say that my little book about peace has gone to every war zone in the world. And I know it has because I am constantly running into uniformed strangers who greet me with “Peace be with you,” which is a tag line in the book. But at the same time I am both shocked and Proud that my little book about Peace has been banned from the federal prison system libraries. It causes “Unrealistic fantasization in the reader,” like that’s a bad thing.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?
That’s a hard one. Personally I am a huge bore when it comes to my books. I talk about them constantly and I always have copies at hand. I also do a lot of Book Fairs, and gift shows and swap meets and like that. The trouble is that a lot of writers are shy so they stay in the house and write, but if you want to actually get some books out there you gotta be bold enough to go out and offer it to people. If they don’t know about it they won’t buy it.
What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?
The Complete Ray Bradbury. It is a compilation of his short stories.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
No, though there are those who say I have a knack for getting myself into remarkably difficult situations and irritating even the most phlegmatic person in the world.
You are given the choice of one super power. What super power would you have and why?
Telepathy. To read peoples thoughts and send them my thoughts without necessity of saying or writing same. Actually in one of my books Design I list several super powers I would like to have, among them teleportation and telekinesis, as well as telepathy.
List 5 things on your bucket list:
My bucket list is pretty short really. I’ve been a lot of places and done a lot of things many of them bucket list worthy. The things I have left are mostly travel related. I want to go to Japan, and China. I’d like to do the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. I’d like to hike a pretty good stretch of the Pacific Coast trail and the Appalachian trail. Those might have been realistic goals once but I sorta doubt that the hikes will ever happen now.
Where can readers find you on the web?
I am on Face Book as G.L. Helm or under my publishing imprimatur Mouseprint. I answer most friend requests positively. Or those interested can e mail me at trainwheels@earthlink.net. The books are available through Rogue Phoenix Press, as well as on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Any final thoughts?
No Valedictory, sorry. Thank you for allowing me to ramble on here. Feel free to contact me.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookpromotiontips, #bucketlist, Bucket List, G. Lloyd Helm, Goddess Fish Promotions, Serpents and Doves, writing tips
May 10, 2016
VBT – Interviewed By God by Beth Banning
Book Genre: Spirituality
Publisher: PuddleDancer Press
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Book Description
Interviewed by God is an account of Beth Banning’s journey of spiritual awakening—her conscious connection with God and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From a very young age, Banning experienced phenomena that could only be called extraordinary: she’s received messages from spirit animals, felt kundalini energy awaken in her, and experienced dimensional shifts in her awareness that have allowed her to witness what only a few have seen. She was visited by totem animals, took ritualistic baths, and visited shamans and healers; she experienced ecstatic states and received messages; her ego mind began to battle against her higher mind. As she experienced her spiritual journey, a small voice within guided her. With doubt as her constant companion she continued to follow her inner promptings, which led her to higher levels of truth about her connection to herself and the world and reality as we know it. Written in a format in which the author is “interviewed by God,” the book is meant to be a mirror for the reader to reflect their own experiences back to them, and a gentle guide for those who are at the precipice of an extraordinary adventure and are either scared to jump or who hunger for answers and understanding.
Author Bio
Beth Banning is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and spiritual catalyst who lives in California with her husband, their cat, and their six pound poodle. She was born in New York City and from a very young age could sense the feelings of people around her, felt kundalini energy running through her body, and experienced other unusual events that she didn’t understand. The well-meaning adults in her life told her she was depressed and that these experiences were just her imagination. Growing up in this cloud of ignorance and disbelief, these gifts were buried and unable to flourish and so she was left confused and lonely.
As a young adult she recognized the same sense of confusion and loneliness in others and became passionate about helping people better understand themselves and those around them. Later in life she took this passion into her work with her husband Neill and co-founded Focused Attention, Inc. She has written numerous books, co-created the Pathway to Personal Freedom, and the Art of Conscious Connection Seminar Series.
After many years of integrating this consciousness shifting work into her own life and teaching it to others, she experienced a profound reconnection with God that turned her life upside down. This radically changed the way she perceives the world and functions in it. Beth now lives her life guided by her inner source of divine wisdom. She is committed to helping others discover this for themselves and fully experience the essence of who they truly are.
Author Links –
Website: www.BethBanning.com
Blog: http://bethbanning.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethBanning
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethBanning
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bethbbanning/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/BethBanning
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21470704-interviewed-by-god
Q&A With Beth
My 10 Favorite Authors and the Irony That Can and Can’t Define Me
I am sure most of us can relate to life’s little ironies. Like how it seems that every time we spill something on our clothes we happen to be wearing white. Or, the way the car battery is dead when you are in a particular rush. An irony of my life is that I’m a writer but not much of a reader I have dyslexia and reading has always been quite difficult for me. There were writers however that did interest me, and when I was interested and engaged in the writing I would read. I was mostly drawn to those writers who wrote about universal truths, consciousness, and human evolution.
Writers like Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, Gary Zukav, Neale Donald Walsch, Dan Millman, James Redfield, Benjamin Zander, Lynn twister, Malcolm Gladwell, David Hawkins and many others. The concepts, ideas, and quality of thinking presented by these authors held my attention well enough that I was willing to read even with my challenges. And when I did read what I loved is finding myself in what I was reading.
Just like Ram Dass rejected labels, I refused to let the label of ‘dyslexia’ define me. We are all more than our labels. Labels are often a by-product of a society’s expectations…expectations that are trained into us from birth. Just like the label of ‘beautiful’ is applied differently by different cultures; ideas, thoughts, wants, desires, are all a by-product of our society’s values. The idea that a person with dyslexia could not become a successful author is just part of a label that I wasn’t going to apply to myself.
In his book, The New Earth, Tolle writes that “the primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.” But with all the expectations, both subtle and overt, that are put in our thoughts our entire life, how can we even know our true thoughts?
Each of the authors I mentioned above, as well as many others who explore these ideas of consciousness and self, have a common theme in their life. Each has, at some point in their life, been inspired to look beyond their self-limiting boundaries. For Zukav, it was perhaps the deaths in the south during the right-to-vote struggles. Certainly Redfield was deeply influenced by the Human Potential Movement.
In exploring myself, as I describe in Interviewed by God, I too looked to find my own human potential. I was inspired by writers who challenged me to seek my own truth. My irony turned out to be my asset. Because reading was such a struggle, the scope of my reading was fairly limited to writers who wrote about things that touched my soul. I was being enriched by the words, so the struggle was worth the payoff. The freedom of really, really knowing yourself is the same: a struggle worth the payoff.
My 10 favorite books… And it’s Time to Ditch the Lists
I am a list person. I am. I write lists for my chores, I write lists for my tasks, I write lists to keep track of my ideas. So, I like lists. But, when I look at my lists, I don’t look at them as ‘lists’. I look at them as a way to track my goals and my intentions.
The act of mindfulness focuses on a state of being, not a state of doing. When we are stuck thinking about what we need to ‘do’, like read a particular book because it’s on a list, it can keep us “doing” instead of just “being” who we are and letting ourselves be drawn to what there is to do next. When we can redefine these tasks as possibilities, we can stop focusing on what we need to get done and start opening ourselves up to potential outcomes we haven’t imagined yet.
In the spirit of replacing our lists with qualities of being and miraculous new possibilities, I am providing a list of my 10 favorite books, not in any particular order, and not for you to read just because I say they’re good books. Click on the links, look at the covers and just be present. You will, I promise be called to the book that is next for you to read. And who knows, it might not even be on my list.
1. Finite and Infinite Games: http://www.amazon.com/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse-ebook/dp/B004W3FM4A
2. Barn Dance: http://www.amazon.com/Barn-Dance-James-F-Twyman-ebook/dp/B0043VDIPQ
3. The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity: http://www.amazon.com/The-Four-Spiritual-Laws-Prosperity/dp/1594861951
4. Blink: http://www.amazon.com/Blink-Power-Thinking-Without-ebook/dp/B000PAAH3K
5. POWER VS. FORCE: http://www.amazon.com/POWER-FORCE-David-Hawkins-Ph-D/dp/B007ETF3MU
6. The Third Millennium: http://www.amazon.com/Third-Millennium-Living-Posthistronic-World-ebook/dp/B005AJSQKC
7. What Ever Happened to Penny Candy: http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-Happened-Explanation-Economics-Investments/dp/0942617622
8. The Art of Possibility: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Possibility-Transforming-Professional-Personal-ebook/dp/B00N1KJ76E
9. Where Ever You Go, There You Are: http://www.amazon.com/Wherever-You-There-Are-Mindfulness-ebook/dp/B0037B6QSY
10. The Go Giver: http://www.amazon.com/Go-Giver-Little-Story-Powerful-Business/dp/B008GAY5PC
A few of the many things that surprised me about writing Interviewed by God
I was asked to write about ONE thing that surprised me during the process of writing Interviewed by God. I realized when I started writing this post it wasn’t as simple as it sounded. There were so many things that surprised me during the writing process. I decided to tell you about a few of them.
One is that inspiration doesn’t make the journey easy. Most of us can relate to those beautiful moments of inspiration. We spend a fun night out with our friends and feel inspired to do so more often. We may splurge a little on sweets or treats and then feel inspired to make healthier food choices. We can hear about a tragedy and feel inspired to make a difference. These inspirations can lead us to, however briefly, reexamine our lives.
How can such a deeply felt flash of motivation turn itself – like a switch – on and off so quickly? How come it is so easy to feel inspired, but so hard to sustain that feeling and transform it into action? Sure, we would like to spend more time with friends, but our schedules make it difficult. Of course we would like to maintain a healthy diet, but there are always donuts at the office.
I was INSPIRED to write Interviewed by God. I’ve been a writer for a very long time. I’ve written books, blog posts and articles. I have written and created seminars and workshops. But when I went to write this book, it was very HARD! For days and hours at a time, I wrote nothing to speak of. I felt uncomfortable and even irritated as I sat in front of the computer. It was as though someone had taken me, and like a wet rag, wrung all the creativity out of me.
I was guided to write this book, or so I thought, which made me wonder, why was it being so hard? Why could I feel so inspired, but not reach the source of that inspiration? What was blocking me? What would be possible if I could easily reach and settle into that spot inside of me where inspiration sits?
One day I screamed out loud as if someone was listening. “If this book is supposed to be written, then send me someone to interview me.” The interview idea was a strategy I learned from another writer. All of a sudden I heard a voice say, “I’ll interview you.” I must be going insane I thought. Then I heard, “I’ll ask and you answer.”
I still thought I was probably going crazy, but it worked. From that point forward, the writing came easily. I call my source of inner-knowing God. Reaching that source inside of me was like snuggling with the source of inspiration. That’s the second thing that surprised me, after that event, it all came easily. When I got stuck and didn’t know what to write, I always heard another question, and then I simply answered it. That’s why my book is called Interviewed by God.
But deciding on the title wasn’t as simple for me because who the heck was I to be Interviewed by God? So I asked God that question and the answer was the third surprise. The answer not only gave me the confidence to title the book Interviewed by God, but also helped me to finally settle in to that source of inspiration. Now when I’m touched with new flashes of inspiration, instead of feeling around, seemingly in the dark, I go INSIDE and turn on the light switch. The answer I got from God? Well, that is in the book. ;o)
Where are you from?
I’m originally from New York City – born and raised. I moved out to San Diego when I was 22 with my now ex-husband. We lived here for about a month and I knew I was never going back. Funny though, when people ask me where I’m from, even though I’ve lived in San Diego for 30 years now, I tell them I’m from New York. I guess once a New Yorker always a New Yorker.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I’ve been a writer for a very long time. I’ve written books, blog posts and articles. I have written and created seminars and workshops. What inspired this book, and all of the writing I have done, is the polarity I see in the world; the right/wrong thinking about religion, politics, the validity of science, etc. One could look out at the world and say that we’ll never have a more peaceful world, we will never have a world that is more supportive of everyone and all things. Yet, I have experienced evidence that if we are willing to be present and non-judgmental, we can help change the world in a very extraordinary and beautiful way.
I feel this book creates a new conversation around an age old topic; how we experience each other, beauty, and grace. It delves into how we experience spirituality. It explores a new way of communicating with ‘that which is bigger and more profound’. It teaches that we can have a personal relationship to that bigger and more profound entity, no matter how we define that entity. It puts words to what I was, and many others still are, confused about in relation to hope, love, and the purpose of life.
How did you come up with the title?
As I said before, I’ve been a writer for a very long time. But when I went to write this book, it was very HARD! For days and hours at a time, I wrote nothing to speak of. I felt uncomfortable and even irritated as I sat in front of the computer. It was as though someone had taken me, and like a wet rag, wrung all the creativity out of me. I was guided to write this book, or so I thought, which made me wonder, why was it being so hard?
One day I screamed out loud as if someone was listening. “If this book is supposed to be written, then send me someone to interview me.” The interview was a strategy I had learned about from another writer. All of a sudden I heard a voice say, “I’ll interview you.” I was sure I was going insane now. Then I heard, “I’ll ask and you answer.” I still thought I was probably going crazy, but it worked. From that point forward, the writing came easily. I call my source of inner-knowing God. After that event, when I got stuck and didn’t know what to write, I heard a question, and I answered it. That’s why my book is called Interviewed by God.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
Yes, a powerful message. We all have a built-in superpower and that superpower is called your internal guidance. The book is meant to be a mirror to reflect the readers own story. Like a mirror helps us see ourselves, the book is written to help the reader see that they have now, and have always been guided, we are just taught to ignore that guidance that is there.
What books have most influenced your life most?
The funny thing is I’m not much of a reader. I have dyslexia and reading has always been quite difficult for me. But when I did it read, I loved those writers who wrote about universal truths, consciousness, and human evolution. Writers like Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, Gary Zukav, Neale Donald Walsch, Dan Millman, James Redfield, and many others. The concepts, ideas, and quality of thinking presented by these authors held my attention well enough that I was willing to read in spite of my challenges.
What are your current projects?
I’m in the middle of writing two new books. One is a book about using mindfulness to reduce stress and the other is a how-to book in relation to connecting with your inner guidance and your higher source of wisdom. I’m also creating a certification course with my husband. We’re certifying Incite Coaches in the personal growth work that we’ve been doing together for 20 years. You can find out more about that work at FocusedAttention.com.
What would you like readers to know?
That they are loved, that they are capable, that they are never alone, and whether the individual situations in their lives shows evidence of it, that they are always being cared for.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #BethBanning, #VBTCafe, #vbtcafetours, Beth Banning, Interviewed By God, VBT Cafe
