C.A. Milson's Blog, page 188
April 12, 2016
Book Tour – AM I GOING TO BE OKAY
Title: Am I Going To Be Okay? Weathering the Storms of Mental Illness, Addiction and Grief
Author: Debra Whittam
Publisher: Turning Point International
Pages: 253
Genre: Memoir/Women’s Psychology/Applied Psychology
Am I Going To Be Okay? is an American story with a universal message. Ms. Whittam traces her history in the form of stories about her all too human, and sometimes unhinged family; she throws a rope to the little girl living there, and in adulthood, is able to pull her out to safety, bit by bit.
Her history is peopled with folks from a different time, a time before therapy was acceptable, 12 steps unimaginable and harsh words, backhands and even harsher silences can be spun to appear almost normal. She writes of a mother who would not or could not initiate love nor give it without condition, and a father, damn near heroic at times, abusive at others, a survivor with his head down and his sleeves rolled up.
Ms. Whittam approaches her past with the clear-eyed tough but sensitive objectivity necessary to untangle the shame from the source. She speaks of the people that affected her life so deeply with an understanding of their time and place in American culture; a family not far removed from immigrant roots when men carried their own water, emoted misplaced anger, and with fresh socks and food found on the trail, were confident, unflinching and at that same time tragical- ly failing to the little ones they ignored.
Like many of us, details notwithstanding, Whittam responded by numbing, running and gunning. Alcohol gave her hope, soothed a crushed soul for a time and wrecked her on a train, until finally she had the courage to accept it wasn’t working for her anymore. It was time to stop drinking and take inventory and accountability. It was time to accept, forgive and move forward. She healed where she was broken.
It is in the telling of this story that Whittam teaches us the difference between just surviving and surviving well, the importance of shared introspection and a careful eye on the wake we leave behind in our actions. Her story is a guide to surviving abuse and addiction. It is also about witnessing and dealing with the shrinking faculties of aging parents in the unavoidable circle of life. Finally, she offers a realistic sense of hope, forgiveness and a life we can shake hands with.
For More Information
Am I Going To Be Okay? Weathering the Storms of Mental Illness, Addiction and Grief is available
at Amazon.
Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Book Excerpt:
In my therapist’s office, during my first year of recovery from alcoholism, I saw one of her graduate school psychology books on her bookshelf. It was sitting alongside many of her self-help books which I had borrowed during the past year. I read several hoping to find a cure from my irrepressible anxiety that I had previously drunk away. I imagined the wordy text was far from my ability to comprehend as I was at that time only able to retain small bits of information. I asked my therapist if I could borrow that college text titled “Human Growth and Development.” I read it from cover to cover within a short amount of time and surprisingly, was able to digest and retain it. I had to quit doubting my ability. Being hard on myself was no longer the answer. I wanted more.
That following summer I enrolled in a graduate course of the same name. I wanted to see if I could retain enough material to pass a higher level learning class. I loved it and I got an A.
No longer living in a world governed by my need to numb myself through copious amounts of alcohol, I started doing what I wanted to do with my life. Encountering the self-doubt I had always carried within me became the guidepost by which I continued to prove my “what ifs” unnecessary in order to keep myself safe.
My intention in writing this book is to reach out to all who struggle with being frozen in fear of “what if.” This book may trigger emotions that have been shoved down so far they might not have a clear story to them yet. It might trigger memories of resentments, regrets or painful unhealed episodes of your life. These moments may have happened long, long ago or may have been more recent. We go back into the past to find answers. The idea is not to stay there long, but to find healing through understanding the ‘why’ of it. Then begin our process of learning to self-sooth and love ourselves.
Nothing is going to happen that you can’t handle. Nothing.
Isolated within my world of fear, I wouldn’t attempt anything outside of that small world. I had no foundation to stand on as a spring-board toward finding out who I really was, so I joined a 12-Step group. The beauty of being in a community of recovery, from whatever we might be working on, brings connection. at is what I needed so badly.
I hope, within these pages, you are able to find a spark that ignites your longing for more. I urge you to find your own path of being okay by whatever non-mood altering way that makes sense to you; even, or especially, if it is unfamiliar to you. In writing this book, I intended to show how we can all go through our fears and do “it” anyway, whatever “it” is.
Letting go of fear suggests we “just breathe” and be ourselves. Thee “how” of being okay is within these pages and within yourself. Stop listening to the repeated echoes of old messages in your head, messages like “You’ve done it again,” “You aren’t good enough,” “You should just give up.” These messages cause you to doubt yourself. Instead, listen to the other voice inside which says, “You can do this,” “There is a way.” Don’t ignore it. Don’t push it away. Don’t argue with it. That voice is there, even if you can’t hear it and I am here to help you find it. I look forward to hearing you say, “I AM going to be okay.”
About the Author
Debra Whittam is a licensed, practicing mental health therapist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who specializes in addiction, anxiety and depression, grief and loss. Whittam is passionate about her work in all areas of her specialties, especially addiction. Working in a detox unit for over three years before beginning her own private practice, Whittam realized, while counseling patients in the life and death arena of the detox unit, how much the loss of a beloved through death or a relationship impacted those struggling with addiction.
In this memoir, Whittam skillfully infuses her memories, stories and professional insights to remind us that the most important relationship we will ever have is with ourselves. She splits her time between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York and Paris, France.
Am I Going To Be Okay? Weathering the Storms of Mental Illness, Addiction and Grief is her first book.
For More Information
Visit Debra Whittam’s website.
Connect with Debra on Facebook and Twitter.
Interview With…
CA: Debra. Thanks for being here today. Tell me about you.
DW: I’m very sensitive, open, honest and sometimes self deprecating to a fault. I love people with a passion. Even or especially those of whom I’ve just met who, I can sense, are quite the same. I find joy in this relatively new venture into the world of creative non-fiction, of actually being a writer. Whatever was pushed very far down within myself and considered ridiculous, has now become quite possible and, I hear, moving and funny. I am sarcastic one minute, hopefully not without being offensive; with laughter and tears the next. An open book as they say.
CA: If you cold hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
DW: Most emphatically, it would be J.K. Rowling. Her 2008 Harvard Commencement Address gives me chills and makes me laugh each time I watch it on youtube, which is often. I love her no nonsense style, her depth of writing from some of her dark places; as she has mentioned often in rare interviews she has given.
I relate to what I imagine were some of her most wretched betrayals. I’d like a best friend like her. The entire day with her we would take turns talking and listening from the heart, I’m sure. Some kind of kindred spirit moments that would build into a life-long friendship even if we would see each other only rarely in the future.
She is open, honestly herself which I adore about famous people.
CA: What’s the story behind your latest book?
DW: “Am I Going To Be Okay?” is a memoir of my life with my mother, my entire family actually, but she and I from my birth until her death in 2012. Interwoven within this narrative is all of the untreated mental illness, untreated addiction and unacknowledged grief that has flowed through my family tree from whenever we all started.
I am a licensed professional therapist, and in my work I have come to realize that this appears to be the state of most of us on earth. A human condition as it were. The impact of all of these adults acting like “little monsters” as Eckhardt Tolle says, is on the little children soaking up of this chaos and drama at a very vulnerable and impressionable age. As these open, loving children we assumer that what we are seeing, what we are hearing and how we are being treated is either one of two things. 1. Something is wrong with us or 2. we’ve done something wrong. I travel through time back two generations to explore how there is to be NO blame on anyone. The farther back we go more is revealed as to how our parents and grandparents experienced life as those hopeful yet fearful little ones. All of us grow up searching for reasons to imagine we matter from all of the years of silence and denial. My story is one of hope and recovery. I have been honored by many reviews and acknowledgements that this book has made an impact on my readers. “I want to read more!” is what I hear most often.
CA: What is your writing process?
DW: I find pure joy in the act of writing wherever in the world I am. Most of my book was writing very early in the morning, sitting cross-legged on the floor, writing longhand sitting in front of a beautiful painting I purchased in Place de Tetre in Montmartre, Paris. I wrote my first manuscript by hand and it took about three years total with a long, hard (!) seven months of editing, revisions, changes, changes to the changes and final manuscripts that evolved into Final Manuscript#12 before my editor and I were completely satisfied. I have written in the library above the wonderful bookstore Shakespeare &Co. in Paris, gazing at Notre Dame while I let my thoughts wander into my past remembering from my experiences what and how things happened. I’ve written at a lake house I rent in the Adirondack Mountains in New York where I am from originally. The aroma of pine, balsam and antique things placed lovingly in this cottage bring me peace, replenish my soul where I find even more paths to the journey of where I’m from.
CA: If this book were to be made into a movie, who would play the lead?
DW: This summer I am taking a screen writing workshop at Oxford University in Oxford, England in order to create a movie from my book! It is as a movie when the reader reads and goes from scene to scene throughout my life. I imagine Sandra Bullock from the days of her early work in movies would play me as a young to older adult.
Me very young probably would be played by whom ever auditioned that had imagination and sensitivity written on her sleeve. In Sandra Bullocks early work she had an open and honest way of portrayal that wasn’t over acted. Now it seems to me she’s changed not only physically, I liked her nose as it was, but I see in her now what I see that happens in most people. A change that loses the fresh, beginning new actor she was.
CA: What are you working on next?
DW: I can’t wait, I’m so excited about this one. I plan on writing a sequel of “Am I Going To Be Okay?” since most everyone has remarked they want to know what happened next. But after that, I am working on another non-fiction, query if you will, to the world, “Are men and women really meant to live together?” That is not the title, however, society as it evolves appears to have women realizing, finally, that ‘Men do what they want, Women do as they’re told’ well, they don’t put up with that shit anymore!
Men are left thinking there is no reason to do any of the work to ‘evolve’ they state they are, ‘Already there’. This is a book not about men against women or the opposite.
This is a book of research I have done and case studies of men and women I have worked with who heartily say, “NO!” to the initial question. Basically from caveman times men and women have had the same roles until the mid to late 1800s. I think this will have an impact on my premise and intentions of all my books, which is “Let’s Start Talking About It.”
CA: What advice do you have for other writers who want to get their work out there?
DW: Since this is my first book, I have taken every and all suggestions from my amazing editor, Judi Moreo. She had me purchase a book called, “1001 Ways To Promote Your Book” written by John Kremer. It is the thickest book I have ever read but it has invaluable information for those of us doing our own promoting. I also find being on this Virtual Tour with Dorothy has enabled me to reach an audience never before imagined. It seems social media is the way to go to promote and reach the widest reader audience possible.
CA: What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?
DW: Definitely, “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It had been sitting on my book shelf for years. I resisted the depth I might have to go to do whatever work I though it would demand. I have been able to reach even deeper into my creative spirit and see the hows of replenishing myself when depleted with writing or working at my private practice or whatever life brings my way. This book along with the Morning Writing Pages was referred to me by Judi Moreo and has changed my thoughts about myself as a writer and creative soul in general. I find peace and support in those pages.
CA: Do you have any special talents that no one knows about you?
DW: Absolutely! I love taking ballet and tap dancing lessons. I once belonged to an adult dance troupe here in Pittsburgh back when my children were young. I still have my tap shoes in my closet ready and waiting if the opportunity arises! I also can drive a forklift like nobody’s business! In my early twenties my former husband and I met at a ceramic tile and marble distributorship where he taught me how to drive a forklift like a pro!
CA: If you had the choice of a super-power, just one, which one would you choose and why?
DW: Time Travel. Most definitely Time Travel would be my super power. I imagine traveling back to the times of my earliest memories, of which I write, and watching what happened from an adult perspective. I am reminded of the play, “Our Town”, written by Thornton Wilder. I mention this play in one of the final chapters in my book as I wandered Grove Cemetery where my mother is buried. So many of the people Mom use to mention from her youth and people I had known are buried there. It reminds me of the third act of “Our Town”. I imagine my Time Travel would end up working out the same way as being wonderful, wistful and not done as often as I had thought I would.
CA: List five things on your bucket list.
DW: Five things on my bucket list are:
Meeting J.K. Rowling.
Purchasing an writer’s studio apartment in Paris.
Becoming a famous writer who makes a difference.
Being able to travel the world over as often as I like.
Making people laugh and cry at the same time.
CA: Where can readers find you on the web?
CA: Do you have any final thoughts?
DW: What a wonderful dream it all is to have published a book and share myself through the book and the social media. I am humbled.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bucketlist, #debrawhittam, #pumpupyourbook, AM I GOING TO BE OKAY, Debra Whittam, Pump Up Your Book
April 10, 2016
Release Blitz KILLER PURSUIT
About the Book
Title: Killer Pursuit
Author: Jeff Gunhus
Genre: Thriller
When a secret webcam is found in the Georgetown bedroom of a murdered high-society call girl, everyone in Washington, DC wants the recording…especially the killer.
After a high-society call girl is brutally murdered in her Georgetown home, investigators find two cameras hidden in the walls of her bedroom. One has its memory erased, presumably by the murderer. The second is a webcam with an encrypted connection…and no-one knows who’s on the other end. Whoever has the recordings has embarrassing leverage against some of the most powerful men in DC, not to mention a video of the murder showing the identity of the killer.
FBI Special Agent Allison McNeil is asked by beleaguered FBI Director Clarence Mason to run an off-the-record investigation of the murder because of the murder’s similarity to a case she worked a year earlier. Allison knows the most direct path to apprehending the killer is to find the videos, but rumors that the victim’s client list may include some of Washington’s most powerful men makes her doubt the director’s motives. As she starts her investigation, she quickly discovers that she’s not the only one pursuing the recording…but that the most aggressive person racing against her might be the murderer himself.
Author Bio
Jeff Gunhus is the author thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 100 on Amazon and have been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
Links
Website: http://www.jeffgunhus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffgunhusauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffgunhus
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/963702.Jeff_Gunhus
Buy the Book
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Pursuit-Allison-McNeil-Thriller-ebook/dp/B017AC8KSY
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1099616597
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/killer-pursuit
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/killer-pursuit-jeff-gunhus/1123259509?ean=2940153187501
Filed under: Release Blitz Tagged: @jeffgunhus, Enchanted book promotions, Jeff Gunhus, Killer Pursuit, Release Blitz
April 9, 2016
Book Signing – C.A.Milson
I don’t often do book signings. Mainly because I get as nervous s a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs[image error] So you can imagine how nervous I felt leading up to my book signing yesterday.
Nerves – public appearances. For a moment I had the image of my first public appearance as an author. It was 2009, in Samara, Russia. When I gave a talk to a room full of students. Needless to say, that first time bombed in an epic way, and that one though came back to haunt me yesterday.
April 6, 2016
VBT – Liefdom
A fiery fairy battles for purpose.
Liefdom is the story of Gentry Mandrake. Born with natural weapons in a race known for pacifism, he is cast out and hated for his differences. He hunts for a place among his people, while fighting to defend the human child bound to him. His violent nature makes him wonder at the purity of his soul, while the dark creatures he must face seem too great to defeat. Can he overcome such terrible foes to defend those he loves?
Meet the Author:
Jesse Teller lives in Missouri. He hasn’t always, but like storytelling, it snuck into his bones. He lives with his wonderful, supportive wife and two inspiring kids. When he is not pounding too hard on his poor keyboard, you can find him bumping into walls and mumbling to himself.
________
What Is A Kindlescout Campaign?
Kindle Scout is reader-powered publishing for new, never-before-published books. It’s a place where readers help decide if a book gets published. Selected books will be published by Kindle Press and receive 5-year renewable terms, a $1,500 advance, 50% eBook royalty rate, easy rights reversions and featured Amazon marketing.
PLEASE VOTE FOR LIEFDOM BY CLICKING HERE.
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #JesseTeller, #pumpupyourbook, Jesse Teller, Kindlescout Campaign, Liefdom
April 3, 2016
VBT – FIBERS
Fibers
by Jennifer-Crystal Johnson
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GENRE: Science Fiction
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BLURB:
Anna Reynolds is caught up in the middle of a secret interdimensional government agreement… and she doesn’t even know it.
There’s a medical anomaly loosely dubbed Morgellons disease afflicting a number of people. Symptoms include open sores that produce colorful string-like fibers, fatigue, and nightmarish visions of shadowy figures. No one knows where it came from. No one knows what causes it. There is no cure.
When Anna begins having nightmares and waking hallucinations of the shadow people, her uneasiness about her condition grows. Enlisting the help of her doctor and some friends, Anna is determined to find out what’s really going on and why Morgellons is such a mystery.
With her health declining and doubts about whom she can trust, is Anna doomed to become a slave to her condition? Or will she and her unlikely group of would-be heroes come through, saving her… and, ultimately, the world?
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Book Excerpt
As Anna walked home through the glistening streets of Deeplake, Washington, she adjusted her scarf and wrapped her coat around herself tightly, her breath fogging up the air in front of her. After a brief glance over her shoulder, she quickened her pace, her bag of groceries teetering in her arms momentarily as she readjusted her grip.
She’d been feeling like someone was watching or following her for weeks. At first she just shrugged it off as her own overactive imagination, but the other day, she could’ve sworn she saw a shadow out of the corner of her eye. When she looked, there was nothing there. That wasn’t the first time she had seen shadows. They were always there, just out of sight, their existence never confirmed by a direct glance. But every time it happened, she got goosebumps and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end like it does when you know someone is watching you.
Her left eye began to feel itchy and grainy as she walked, and she cursed herself for not driving. She blinked several times, but after a few moments her eye felt like it had sand in it again. This was accompanied by an unpleasant tickling sensation, which became annoying very quickly.
Her thoughts wandered as her eye got worse. She felt guilty but justified for not mentioning her problems to Casey, who had more than enough on her plate already. She also didn’t want to come across as crazy; Anna was certain she wasn’t. Some of the recent events in her life were crazy, but she was definitely sane.
Do crazy people think they’re sane?
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
Jennifer-Crystal Johnson is originally from Germany, but was raised an Army brat. She has published one novella under her former last name, The Outside Girl: Perception is Reality (Publish America, 2005 – out of print as of 2013), a poetry book, Napkin Poetry (Broken Publications, 2010), and a collection of poetry, art, and prose called Strangers with Familiar Faces (Broken Publications, 2011). She’s also published a collection of short creature horror stories called If You’re Human Don’t Open the Door (Broken Publications, 2012), a personal development book called The Ten Pillars of a Happy Relationship (Broken Publications, 2014), and a collection of more horror stories (no creatures this time, just people) called Our Capacity for Evil (Broken Publications, 2015). She has several poems and short stories published on Every Writer’s Resource and has recently published a science fiction novel called Fibers, the first book in the Infiltration Trilogy. Jen owns and operates Broken Publications (www.BrokenPublications.com) and publishes an annual anthology to raise awareness about domestic violence called Soul Vomit (www.SoulVomit.com).
When she isn’t writing or editing, she enjoys playing games with her three kids, watching crime shows on Netflix, or reading. She lives in WA State with her three children, three cats, and a crazy puppy named Thor.
You can connect with her at www.JenniferCrystalJohnson.com, @brokenpoet, or www.Facebook.com/JenniferCrystalJohnson.
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
The author 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
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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/book-blast-fibers-by-jennifer-crystal.html
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookexcerpt, #brokenpoet, Fibers, Goddess Fish Promotions, If You're Human Don't Open the Door, Jennifer-Crystal Johnson, Napkin Poetry, Rafflecopter giveaway, Strangers with Familiar Faces, The Outside Girl: Perception is Reality, The Ten Pillars of a Happy Relationship
Movie Blast – The SECRETS of the KEYS
We’re thrilled to be hosting Robin Jay’s THE SECRETS OF THE KEYS Movie Blast today!
Title:
The SECRETS of the KEYS
Producer: TwoBirds, Inc.
Genre: Inspirational/Motivational
Imagine getting a life-altering call from your doctor. That’s exactly what happens to motivational speaker and author “Elizabeth” in The Secrets of the Keys. Now, the inspiration she has used throughout her career to guide others comes back to her as she attempts to make sense of her situation.
Elizabeth comes face-to-face with her spiritual guide, “Gwen,” who has an intriguing opportunity for her. Gwen takes Elizabeth on a mystical journey where they encounter impressive experts eager to share the importance of 7 Keys: Appreciation, Harmony, Courage, Passion, Faith, Vibration, and Empathy.
Will she accept Gwen’s unique offer of a new kind of existence? This empowering and transformational film is both entertaining and beautiful . . . and will forever change the way you look at life.
For More Information
The SECRETS of the KEYS is available at Amazon.
Link to film on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4703382/
Cast:
Watch the Trailer!
About the Producer
Robin Jay is an award-winning filmmaker, author, speaker, and publisher. She began her career in Personal Development as“The Queen of the Business Lunch™,” a Business Relationship Expert who shares the nuts-and-bolts of building profitable business relationships, with an emphasis on smart ways to network and socialize with clients.
Robin’s award-winning book, “The Art of the Business Lunch ~ Building Relationships Between 12 and 2” (Career Press) is in 12 languages worldwide. She is also a contributor to “Chicken Soup for the Wine Lover’s Soul.” Robin has been featured internationally on MSNBC-TV, Newsweek Magazine, CNN, the BBC, the New York Times, The London Financial Times, Forbes.com and other well-recognized media outlets.
In 2006, she founded the Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau. As president, she not only runs the bureau and
coaches speakers to success, Robin also published “The Power of the Platform,” a series of anthologies that feature messages from today’s top motivational speakers, including Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, and Les Brown.
Robin’s first film was “The KEEPER of the KEYS” – the first FUNNY personal development movie, which stars Jack Canfield, John Gray, and Marci Shimoff. Robin wrote, produced, and costars in the movie. Her goal was to empower viewers by keeping them engaged and entertained. She was thrilled when the movie won the Las Vegas Film Festival Award for Best Independent Film, and The INDIE Fest Award for Best Documentary.
Her latest project is titled “The Secrets of the Keys”, which features a fun, engaging fictional story along with expert
testimonials and personal accounts from some of the top names in the self-help industry, including Brian Tracy, don Miguel Ruiz, Gloria Loring, Dannion Brinkley, Michael Beckwith, and John Assaraf. The film was released in January
2016 and immediately won awards, including two gold awards for Concept & Original Song from the International Independent Film Awards.
For More Information
Visit the movie’s website.
Visit the movie on Facebook and Twitter.
Giveaway
Robin is giving away 3 DVDs and 3 downloads!
Terms & Conditions:
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
Six winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one THE SECRETS OF THE KEYS DVD or one download
This giveaway begins April 4 and ends on April 29.
Winners will be contacted via email on April 30.
Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!
ENTER TO WIN!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Filed under: Movie Trailers Tagged: #pumpupyourbook, #TheKeyMovies, DVD Giveaway, Pump Up Your Book, Robin Jay, The SECRETS of the KEYS
March 31, 2016
VBT – Though I Don’t Deserve It, God’s Hand of Protection Watches Over Me
Inside the Book:
Title: Though I Don’t Deserve It, God’s Hand of Protection Watches Over Me
Author: Arthur Luke
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Biography
Format: Ebook/Paperback
Though I Don’t Deserve It, God’s Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story spans sixty-four years in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ, telling how God has watched over him and his family.
Arthur Luke begins with his childhood in Georgia, follows the sojourns of his military family, narrates the key events in his adult life, tells about his stroke, and shares the decision he and his wife, seniors at the time, made to adopt a child. He pairs twenty-four powerful scriptures with the key events in his life’s journey. This potent mixture of personal history and biblical witness demonstrates an enduring truth. With faith in God and obedience to him in your life, his favor—his hand of protection—will guide you and lead you to offer him praise in all seasons, no matter what happens.
Though I Don’t Deserve It, God’s Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story promises to inspire and encourage readers by showing how God works, in accordance with his promises in the scriptures, to guard and guide all who believe in him. This is the story of Arthur Luke’s life, but its message applies to all who believe.
Meet the Author:
Arthur Luke, a retired preacher of the gospel, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA in financial management from National University in Sacramento. He and Sharon, his wife, have five children and live in Elk Grove, California.
Giveaway
Arthur is giving away a $25 Gift Card!
Terms & Conditions:
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
This giveaway begins March 28 and ends on April 8.
Winners will be contacted via email on April 9.
Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!
ENTER TO WIN!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: Arthur Luke, Rafflecopter giveaway, Though I Don't Deserve It God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me
March 30, 2016
Book Blast – EOLYN
Eolyn
by Karin Rita Gastreich
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GENRE: Fantasy
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BLURB:
In a land ravaged by civil war, the Mage King Kedehen initiates a ruthless purge of the magas. Eolyn, last daughter of the magas and sole heiress to their forbidden craft, seeks refuge in the South Woods.
When she meets the mysterious Akmael, heir to the throne of this violent realm, she embarks on a path of hope, seduction, betrayal, and war. Desire draws Eolyn toward Akmael’s dark embrace, but fate binds her to Corey of East Selen, a cunning mage whose ambition challenges the limits of love and loyalty.
Can she trust either man?
Hunted in a realm of powerful wizards and brutal deceptions, Eolyn must find her own path to freedom or she will burn on the pyre.
“Vigorously told deceptions and battle scenes, with a romantic thread.” -Publishers Weekly
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BOOK EXCERPT:
Farewell
Eolyn knew Akmael did not agree with her decision, and for a moment she thought he would ruin their last meeting by starting another argument. Instead he drew back his sleeve and said, “I would like to give you something to remember me by.”
The symbols embroidered into the fabric of his robe reflected the forest in multiple shades of green. Underneath the folds, Eolyn saw a silver band around his arm. Removing the jewel with care, Akmael offered it to Eolyn.
Awed, Eolyn turned the bracelet over in her hands. On the etched surface she recognized multiple forms of Dragon: winged serpent, snake, lion, butterfly, river otter, fish and many others. Each figure blended into the next, creating a single creature as fantastic as imagination itself.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“It was a gift from my mother.” Akmael’s voice broke with quiet emotion. “She gave it to me before she died.”
Retrieving the armband gently from her grasp, Akmael slipped it over Eolyn’s wrist and moved it just past her elbow. The metal coiled into a perfect fit against her skin.
Akmael’s hand traveled back down Eolyn’s arm. He caught her fingers in his and studied her for a moment. “I will miss you, Eolyn.”
Then he leaned forward and kissed her.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Karin Rita Gastreich writes stories of ordinary women and the extraordinary paths they choose. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she is part of the biology faculty at Avila University. An ecologist by vocation, Karin has wandered forests and wildlands for over twenty years. Her past times include camping, hiking, music, and flamenco dance. In addition to The Silver Web trilogy, Karin has published short stories in World Jumping, Zahir, Adventures for the Average Woman, and 69 Flavors of Paranoia. She is a recipient of the Spring 2011 Andrews Forest Writer’s Residency.
Website: http://krgastreich.com
Twitter: @EolynChronicles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eolyn-110814625640244/
Purchase link for EOLYN: http://www.amazon.com/Eolyn-Silver-Web-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01B8F4G50/
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Karin will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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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/book-blast-eolyn-by-karin-rita-gastreich.html
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookexcerpt, #EolynChronicles, book blast, EOLYN, Goddess Fish Promotions, Karin Rita Gastreich, Rafflecopter giveaway
March 29, 2016
VBT – Calling the Reaper by Jason Pere
Calling the Reaper
by Jason Pere
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GENRE: Dark Fantasy
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BLURB:
The time of the Unity has ended. Now, the realm of man is stranded between Paradise and Purgatory. The Valkyrie and Reaper battle over the fate of all who pass from the land of the living and into the afterlife.
Eight mortal spirits from vastly different worlds tread the same, inevitable path toward their last, crucial decision. Within them all exists the defining conflict every man must face—to look upon the end of their life with glory and honor, or to give credence to their baser longings, calling the Reaper to their own demise.
In this rich, harrowing tale of pride, deceit, honor, vengeance, and redemption, each individual must battle their inner turmoil, facing the sacrifices they have made before their unavoidable end in the land of the living.
But their last day in life is also their first day of death amidst the terrors of the underworld. Lord Master Death wants them all…and the real battle has only just begun.
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BOOK EXCERPT
“In the beginning. In the time before. When the Unity sat atop the throne in Paradise and reigned over the world of man below, all was good and fruitful. There was life without end for every spirit drawing breath within the embrace of the Unity. Things were as such for a time longer than memory itself. But such things end. The day of the Shattering came upon us all. Paradise above and the realm of man below were forever changed. The Unity became no more, and from it was born both Life and Death. On that day, it was decreed that all who lived must one day die. And we the Valkyrie, the children of Paradise, became its warriors. Our robes were replaced with armor, and hands once empty now grasp sword and shield. Our charge is to watch over those who dwell below in the realm of man. We are tasked with the guardianship of every spirit that yet holds life. We shall protect them until that life is at an end. Then it must leave the realm of man. For each spirit that meets its end with virtue and courage, we the Valkyrie shall fly to them and bid them welcome into the warmth of Paradise. For each spirit that meets its end with fear and wickedness, they shall call the Reaper, and I shall mourn them as they are cast into the cold realm filled with weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” —Laurel, ArchValkyrie of the Thorn Crown
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jason Pere is a born-and-raised New Englander. He always had a passion for the arts and creative storytelling. At the age of thirteen, Jason took up the craft of acting for film and theater. He pursued that interest for over a decade until refocusing his medium of expression into writing.
At first, Jason took a causal interest in writing, starting with poetry and journaling. Over time, he honed his direction and finally began writing larger works. In November of 2012, Jason self-published his first book, Modern Knighthood: Diary of a Warrior Poet.
Since then, Jason has continued writing on his own, mostly short stories and poetry. Calling the Reaper was his first experience committing to a full-length Fiction title.
In early 2015, Jason became affiliated with Collaborative Writing Challenge (CWC). Since then, he has joined many other writers on numerous collaborative projects. Jason is a regular contributor to CWC and is scheduled to have multiple pieces of his work appear in their publications throughout 2016.
You can find out more about Jason Pere’s involvement and publications in collaborative fiction at: http://www.collaborativewritingchallenge.com
To connect with Jason, check him out at: www.facebook.com/jason.pere.7
Jason also writes fanfiction for Team Covenant on their Blog of the Pheonixborn, dedicated to the new game by Plaid Hat Games, ‘Ashes’. Go to http://teamcovenant.com/ashesonline/ to read Jason’s flash fiction work.
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Jason will be awarding 1 print copy of Calling the Reaper,(international winner) or 2 ebooks (one of Calling the Reaper and the second winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a copy of the book – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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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/book-blast-calling-reaper-by-jason-pere.html
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookexcerpt, Book Excerpt, Book Giveaway, Calling the Reaper, Goddess Fish Promotions, Jason Pere, Rafflecopter giveaway
VBT – THE PRODUCTIVITY BOOK
The Productivity Book
by Michael Brecht
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GENRE: Non-fiction/time management
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BLURB:
Ever wondered what the secret is to productivity? Here’s a hint: there isn’t just one. Introducing the Doodle Productivity Book! Containing in-depth interviews with 30 of the world’s top productivity & time management experts, this book lifts the lid on the industry’s best kept tips and tricks. The result? An engaging and practical guide that will help you find your natural pace, so you can work smarter—not harder.
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BOOK EXCERPT
Quote Laura Stack:
What are some of your favorite productivity tips & apps?
Obviously, I love Doodle! I use it to schedule client conference calls and I talk about it in my presentations! Other apps I like:
TripIt. I use this for plane, hotel, directions and ground transportation. Simply forward your confirmation emails and TripIt automatically populates your digital itineraries. It also means I can access all my details on my phone as I’m walking through the airport.
Evernote. Sync content from the cloud to your desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone. When I see an article I like online, I simply right-click, clip the page, file it in a Notebook and tag it for easy searching. I drag large PDF documents into new Notes to read on upcoming business trips. I use Evernote in conjunction with my Livescribe Smartpen, so my handwritten notes from meetings and conference calls sync through Wi-Fi to my online account. I can listen to recordings right before meetings to refresh my memory.
TouchDown. Microsoft Outlook users can sync their data to their phones, which is really handy, except the native apps require them to tap multiple icons to access different modules. Instead, I use the TouchDown ActiveSync Exchange client. This allows me to click ONE icon to access my Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes, as well as handle Out of Office and Rule settings.
Square. My smartphone is a portable credit card processing machine. Using a small scanner that plugs into the earphone jack, I can accept payments for things like book sales and speaking fees. I slide the card through the scanner, enter the dollar amount and ask the buyer to sign with a fingertip. The buyer can enter an email address to receive a receipt.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
I am a serial entrepreneur, have more than twenty years of experience in IT and Digital Media and have held several international leadership positions in Europe and Australasia.
Since the beginning of 2014 I am CEO of Doodle – the world’s favourite online scheduling tool. Together with my fantastic team we have integrated Doodle into the Digital Portfolio of Tamedia AG, Switzerland’s largest media company. Our focus is to grow the business into a global application while strengthening its product offerings and continuing its successful monetisation. Doodle AG is a highly profitable business with offices in Zurich and Berlin.
My experience ranges from founding a start-up to various exits to multi-national corporates and subsequent integration. I enjoy topics of digital transformation and the leadership of highly innovative teams with a particular focus on growing a business internationally.
Now that digitalisation is increasingly becoming a topic for all businesses from start-up to large corporate, I have decided to start my own blog. Here you’ll find information on productivity topics, quotes about personal and professional efficiency, my reviews of awesome apps I use myself and I am trying to present a few stories that aren’t meant to be too serious too.
In my private life I am married and our home comprises of four children and our dog (an Australian Labradoodle). We are currently living in five different countries and I myself carry a German and an Australian passport. I enjoy sports, in particular football, swimming, tennis and all kinds of outdoor activities and I am passionate about the discovery of great wines.
Links:
http://productivity-book.com/
https://twitter.com/michaelbrecht
http://michaelbrecht.com/
Buy links:
https://itunes.apple.com/book/the-productivity-book/id1050616645?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-productivity-book-michael-brecht/1122830470
https://store.kobobooks.com/ebook/the-productivity-book
http://www.amazon.com/Productivity-Book-Professionals-About-Management-ebook/dp/B016UQV92K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452530967&sr=8-2&keywords=productivity+book
Book links:
http://www.businesszone.co.uk/decide/productivity/the-four-productivity-hacks-every-entrepreneur-needs#.VnRXHbQzHNM.twitter
http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/32236-seven-time-saving-apps-your-fellow-entrepreneurs-use-to-boost-productivity
https://sliwinski.com/productivity-book/
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Michael Brecht will be awarding 5 Doodle Premium Accounts for Free to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win 1 of 5 Doodle Premium Memberships -a Rafflecopter giveaway
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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/2016/02/vbt-productivity-book-by-michael-brecht.html
Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #bookexcerpt, #michaelbrecht, Book Excerpt, Goddess Fish Promotions, Michael Brecht, The Productivity Book
