C.A. Milson's Blog, page 222

Book Tour ~ The Color of Clouds by J.C. Whyte

About the Book

Title: The Color of Clouds

Author: J.C. Whyte

Genre: Sci-Fi / Paranormal Mystery / Thriller

Pedro’s on a mission. But not your everyday, run-of-the-mill type mission. Because Pedro is dead.

That’s right. Dead.

Spirit guide Pedro normally busies himself with conveying messages from departed loved ones through a psychic named Gwen. But when he encounters a recently deceased teenager, the boy’s anguish just about breaks Pedro’s heart. So the spirit guide decides to try and help this boy. Yet meddling in the affairs of the living is a troublesome business, as Pedro soon discovers.

Nevertheless, he convinces Gwen to take an ocean voyage, and that’s when the trouble begins. Within days of leaving port, two passengers on the cruise ship fall into a mysterious coma. Gwen seeks Pedro’s help to restore these passengers, but natural as well as unnatural obstacles keep getting in the way. And by the time the ship docks in Honolulu, the still-living are flat out scrambling for their lives!

A playful blend of science fiction and the paranormal, The Color of Clouds offers a glimpse into the unseen world while taking the reader on an extraordinary ride. The adventure includes danger, mystery, humor, sweet romance and even a dash of thriller.

But the clouds are not what you think.

 

Author Bio

J.C. Whyte discovered her love for writing while still in elementary school, creating children’s stories. But as an adult, J.C. had to face the harsh reality that such writing seldom pays the bills. So she earned degrees in both Journalism and Communications, and then turned to Public Relations, where for ten years she focused her creative energies into feature writing.

After marriage, kids, several more degrees and occupations (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J. C. entered law school. While there, she became a columnist for the school newsletter and later, one of her humorous articles was even published in The National Jurist.

Graduating and passing the Bar, J.C. realized within a few short years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she has returned to where her life’s calling began, beginning in 2013 with publication of her children’s book Karmack and now in 2015 with her first novel for adults, The Color of Clouds.

 

Links

Goodreads page

MuseItUp Publishing page

Amazon page

Barnes & Noble page:

Book Excerpt

There was an element of danger in these dives, especially because of the predatory sharks in the area. Yet it was unlikely a shark would attack the divers. Tiger and Galapagos sharks were the most aggressive, but even they preferred fish, turtles, and seals to humans. So although he felt pretty confident, Drew still kept one eye on Carly.

But as the six divers began their survey, a strange light lit up one end of the reef, diffusing illumination as if a floodlight were shining upon it. This light was also inching closer and closer to the divers. When it was near enough to touch, Drew stuck his arm into the light and instantly the arm disappeared inside it. Frightened, he quickly withdrew his limb. Yet now the arm felt dead as it dangled at his side, refusing to respond to commands.

Carly was too busy taking measurements to notice. But the light kept moving. And before Drew could act, it fully engulfed his wife. She instantly collapsed, dropped from the reef and started to drift into deeper water. He charged after her, kicking harder than he knew he could. But with dogged determination and a single full-functioning arm, he managed to bring Carly’s limp body to the water’s surface.

Drew was now in a full-blown panic. Reaching the boat, he shouted for help; the others quickly pulled Carly on board.

“What happened?” asked one of the crewmen.

“I…I don’t know. Some mysterious light…” Drew coughed and gulped some air. “It passed over her, and she…” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Still breathing,” noted another crewman as he removed her mouthpiece from around her neck and pulled off her oxygen tank.

When Drew lifted Carly’s mask with his good hand, he was stunned to see her blank-looking eyes staring wide open at him.

Interview

Jacquie, thank for being my guest today. Tell our followers about you.

I discovered a love for writing while still in elementary school, when I would compose and read stories to my siblings and cousins. But as an adult, I had to face the fact that such writing seldom pays the bills. So I earned degrees in Journalism and Communications, and then turned to Public Relations, where for ten years I focused my creative energies into feature writing.

After marriage, kids, several more degrees and occupations (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), I entered law school. While there, I became a columnist for the school newsletter and later, one of my humorous articles was published in The National Jurist.

But after graduating and passing the Bar, I realized within a few short years that creative writing was still what made my heart sing. So now, as a grandma, I have returned to my writing roots with publication of my children’s book Karmack (2013) and my first novel for adults, The Color of Clouds (March, 2015).

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

That’s simple: adventure! From an early age, I have viewed my life as one long adventure, whether real or otherwise (mostly otherwise, I think — LOL).  I love new experiences, especially when they involve travel. That’s why my book The Color of Clouds features an adventure centered around travel.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?

Probably someone fun like Melissa McCarthy or Ellen DeGeneres. I love people who make me laugh and aren’t afraid to be a little silly.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

My husband is a scientist who’s been talking about so-called ‘dark matter’ for years. He even has his own theory about what it is. I just incorporated his theory into my own interpretation of what lies beyond the visible world. Then I stirred in some adventure, mixed in a murder mystery, added a pinch of humor, and finished with a sprinkling of light romance. And viola! The concoction I named The Color of Clouds.

Tell us your writing process.

I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer. I can’t work from an outline because it’s just no fun. I get an idea and run with it, letting it evolve in its own way and in its own time. That’s the adventure of writing for me.

Do you have any advice on what has and has not worked for you that you can share with other authors?

What hasn’t worked is buying ads in online magazines. I find bloggers’ reviews to be the most beneficial, along with giveaways and small ads on Goodreads.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was eleven, my 6th grade teacher gave the class an assignment to write a poem about a sport. I knew my classmates would mostly choose a popular sport like baseball or football, so I decided to be different and write about golf. And to my complete surprise, the teacher found it comical; she encouraged me to keep writing.

Then over summer break, students were told to choose 26 books from a reading list and write a book report on each. Well, this was absolutely horrifying to me! I wanted to enjoy my summer, not spend it reading! You see, back then I was a very slow reader and didn’t much enjoy the experience (in my day, kids didn’t have all the fun books to choose from like they do today). But that same teacher who had assigned the sports poem told my mother I could write 26 stories instead. That was a very special gift to me. Although I didn’t actually write 26 stories (perhaps six?), I submitted one which made my 7th grade teacher laugh out loud in class. And I got an “A” on my summer reading assignment. I owe so much to that wise and wonderful teacher who truly let me play to my strengths.

Tell us about your main character:

In his prior life, Pedro was an Italian immigrant’s son living in a New York City tenement at the start of the twentieth century. But in my story, Pedro is currently a dead spirit guide who communicates telepathically through a psychic named Gwen. Both Pedro and Gwen like helping people; that’s why together they attempt to ease the pain of those who’ve lost loved ones under very unhappy circumstances. Yet Pedro goes a bit too far in trying to help a particularly sad soul,  and that’s what sparks the paranormal adventure in The Color of Clouds.

What are you working on next?

Nothing at the moment. I’m too busy traveling and promoting my books.

Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?

I wouldn’t call it extraordinary but I can play the piano. Unfortunately, no. My only talent has been writing. I can’t even garden – all my plants just up and die on me. Sniff!  No wait – I’m pretty good at amateur photography (at least I think so!).

Who are your favorite authors?

Off the top of my head: Ken Follett, Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck, Dennis LeHane. Yeah, they have absolutely nothing in common; I just enjoy their writing styles.

What do you like to do with your free time?

Did I mention how much I like to travel? And when I’m not traveling, I’m planning for travel, which to me is almost as much fun as the trip itself.

My husband and I just got back from a safari in South Africa. Last year, we went to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. And I’ve just started to plan an Australia/New Zealand cruise for next year. Yep, we’re doing the old Bucket List!

Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.

Frankly, I don’t have any. My two books – Karmack and The Color of Clouds – were both born out of inspiration combined with true life experiences. I find my best approach is to wait until new inspiration strikes. When I try to force the process, it just doesn’t work for me.

Thanks for being here today Jacquie. :)

Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: Book Tour, Enchanted book promotions, J.C. Whyte, Karmack, The Color of Clouds, VBT, writing tips

Movie Review ~ Hungerford (2014)

Hungerford (2014)

Stars: Georgia Bradley, Sam Carter, Drew Casson

IMDB Rating: 4.3

First reviewed over at Horroraddicts.net.

Plot: The lives of a group of teenagers are turned upside down when their town is taken over by sinister force

 

Review: Cowen lives with a couple of friends in a small flat in a small English town. As a way of passing the time, he has enrolled in a media course. Naturally, his first assignment is to record everything in a week of his life. After a strange electrical storm hits the town, random acts of violence begin to hit this quiet town, but he dismisses the random acts of violence. However, when one of his friends is attacked by the postman, the inexplicably serious nature of the dead assailant’s injuries alert them to a more disturbing reality. As events escalate, Cowen and his friends discover that the town has come under a malign influence which is controlling gangs who are rounding people up and taking them to a nearby factory. The friends hide, hoping to escape, but their sanctuary is discovered and over run.

Another film that fits perfectly in the “found footage” genre, this is a mix of Sci-fi and horror. It is safe to say that the mix of zombies and aliens has been a long time coming, and while this film is nothing spectacular (or even scary), it was fun to watch, even if there were moments where it got downright cheesy. The parasites that take over vics were none too scary either. More like oversized ants with no heads :)

There were moments when I did think the scenes could have been more graphic, such as when they encounter the alien in the basement of the factory, but when the budget is low, one has to make do with what they have.

Verdict: Invasion of the body snatchers

My Rating: 6 out of 10

Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: HorrorAddicts.net, Hungerford (2014)

Press Release – Port Arthur by Danielle M. Maistry

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Title: Port Arthur

Author: Danielle M. Maistry

Publisher: ASJ Publishing (June 2015)

PORT ARTHUR

ASJ Publishing announces the upcoming release of Port Arthur, a novel by Danielle M. Maistry.

United States – May 28 2015: ASJ Publishing is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Danielle M. Maistry’s new novel Port Arthur. The 335-page book will officially be released online for Kindle ebooks on July 6 2015. The book takes place in the historical world of the Port Arthur convict settlement of Van Dieman’s Land during the 1830’s. The captivating story simultaneously follows a thirteen year old boy as he is sent off to serve his sentence for burglary and a girl who is separated from her father as they are sent abroad to serve as convicts of the Crown.

“Danielle’s passion for writing encompasses each page.” said an ASJ Publishing representative. “She has given readers an opportunity to enter these new worlds and become apart of the compelling and exciting action she loves.”

In her novel Port Arthur, Danielle provides her readers with a beautiful story as a convict boy tries to find his place in society and an innocent girl gets caught on the wrong side of the law. The 335-page book will officially be released online for Kindle ebooks from Amazon on July 6, 2015. To learn more information about the book Port Arthur by Danielle M. Maistry, visit the Amazon page directly at www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y32ONY0.

About the Author

Danielle M. Maistry was born in South Africa before she moved to Australia in 2002, where she is currently finishing her Bachelor of Psychological Sciences. In the future, Danielle is aiming to achieve her Masters in Clinical Neuropsychology. From a young age, she was blessed with the gift of writing and discovered her interest in ancient and medieval history.

END

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Filed under: Media Tagged: Danielle M. Maistry, Port Arthur, Press Release, Van Dieman’s Land

Virtual Book Tour ~ HENRY GALLANT AND THE WARRIOR by H. Peter Alesso

HENRY GALLANT AND THE WARRIOR

by H. Peter Alesso

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB

In the 22th Century, the people of the Solar System have banded together against an alien invasion. Unfortunately, they’re losing—badly.

As the only Natural remaining in the genetically engineered officer corps of the United Planet’s fleet, Henry Gallant has unique mental abilities that have proven essential to the defense against the Titan invaders. Nevertheless his fellow officers lack faith in him, and worse, he has angered prominent men by speaking truth to power.

Despite this, Admiral Collingsworth has given him command of the Warrior, the most advanced stealth warship in the UP arsenal, and ordered him to the alien’s main base to spy, intrigue, and disrupt their war capacity.

Gallant’s mission leads to risky battles and painful choices, but no choice is more personal, or intimate, than the choice to face one’s own death. And for Henry Gallant—a flawed young man in a hopeless situation against overwhelming odds—a dreadful decision looms before him.

He has only one saving grace—he is unafraid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

$15 Amazon/BN GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Lieutenant Henry Gallant walked along the cobblestone streets of New Annapolis—head down, mind racing . . .

My orders say take command of the Warrior immediately . . . but no promotion . . . Why not?

He pondered the possibilities, but he already knew the answer. Though he had steely gray eyes, a square jaw, and was taller than nearly everyone around him, what distinguished him most was not visible to the naked eye—he was a Natural—born without genetic engineering.

By the time he reached the space elevator, the welcoming breeze of the clear brisk morning had brightened his mood and he fell into line behind the shipyard personnel without complaint.

Looking up, he marveled; that cable goes into the clouds like an Indian rope trick.

When at last it was his turn, the guard scanned his comm pin against the access manifest.

The portal light blinked red.

“Pardon, sir. Access denied,” said the grim faced sentry.

“Call the officer of the guard,” demanded Gallant.

The officer of the guard appeared, but was no more inclined to pass Gallant through. He touched the interface panel and made several more entries, but the portal continued to blink red.

“There’s a hold on your access, sir.”

Gallant asked, “A hold?”

“Yes, sir. Your clearance and authorization are in order, but SIA has placed a hold on your travel movements. They want you to report to SIA headquarters, ASAP.”

“I need to go to the shipyard and attend to important business before going to the Solar Intelligence Agency,” clarified Gallant, but even as he said it, he knew it wouldn’t help.

“Sorry, sir. Orders.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO

As a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations, and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of seven books.

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Amazon

LinkedIn

Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: Amazon Gift Card, BN Gift Card, Genetic Engineering, Goddess Fish Promotions, guest author, H. Peter Alesso, HENRY GALLANT AND THE WARRIOR, Military space opera, Rafflecopter giveaway

Service For Writers – Readership Pro

Young woman lying on a sofa on a green meadow and using a laptop

A new service for writers Readership Pro. They are holding a giveaway. Check out the details here.

Filed under: Events Tagged: Readership Pro

Interview With …. Ben Matthews author of The Pursuit Of Justice

Today folks I am chatting with Ben Matthews. Author of The Pursuit Of Justice. Ben Matthews is a 58 year old life long resident of South Carolina.

Ben, thank for being here today. Tell our readers about you. 

I was born in Charleston and have lived most of the other years in the Pee Dee area not far from the Grand Strand which is the setting for The Pursuit of Justice. I am a husband, father of 2 children, stepfather of 3 children and am owned by approximately 3 cats. I have been practicing law for 31 years focusing on bankruptcy and personal injury. My wife suggested that I write a novel. She says I was complaining about the quality of the novels I was reading then. My first book was written in response to a perceived lack of useful books on the subject of blending families. I co-wrote Blended Family Bliss with David Kahn about 10 years ago and published that through a print on demand house.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and family. All of the kids are gone (aged 22-29) but they are close. This week we’ve got all of them, a couple of son in laws, a boyfriend, and other family at the beach all week. And I enjoy helping people. As an attorney, people come to me with their problems and I am able to provide solutions for a lot of them.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?

My first thought was Edgar Allen Poe. He’s always been my favorite writer and the Tell Tale Heart my favorite story. I wonder how his mind worked. If I had to choose someone alive, it would be either Chipper Jones or Hank Aaron. I am a huge Braves fan and would love to sit and listen to the stories they have. Wouldn’t a really good baseball book be fun to write?

What’s the story behind your latest book?

Ray Jackson is an attorney who is struggling to find himself. As soon as he finished law school, his sister went missing and his fruitless search for her threw his career off track. He worked with his mother(also a lawyer). When she became ill, Ray neglected the practice to take care of her and the book begins shortly after her death. Ray gets appointed to a murder case as part of agreement to resolve the ethical charges stemming from his neglect of his clients. Ray quickly discovers several holes in the prosecution’s case which has been investigated by the same police officer, now Captain, that failed to find Ray’s sister.

Ray also finds himself working with an ex girlfriend in a money laundering investigation. The money laundering investigation overlaps with the murder case taking Ray to a Casino Boat and ‘Gentlemen’s’ clubs where the murder victim used to work. It all becomes very personal for Ray when he discovers the truth about his sister as the murder case comes to trial.

Tell us your writing process.

My writing process is really just constant rewriting. I have a general story in mind and I begin. I go as far as I can and then go back and fix what’s not working any more in the story line. And then repeat. I’ve found that it takes numerous rewrites to get things close. I usually write for an hour or so in the morning (I get up early) and then have an hour commute to think about it and record notes in my phone that I apply the next day. It is the thinking time that really helps me get the story right.

What has and has not worked for you that you can share with aspiring & upcoming authors?

I don’t take criticism well so I had a hard time working with family and friends on early versions. I discovered that the problem wasn’t with my story but rather with my skills. I needed to learn how to write a novel. I did what I usually do when face with questions, I did what I have always done: I bought a book about writing. I got 4 or 5 books and a workbook or two. Donald Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook was very helpful. After that I started working with The Editorial Department. I found them to offer affordable services that took my skills a new level.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’m not at all sure that I want to be a full time writer. I enjoy writing. I like the response we’re getting to The Pursuit of Justice. But I would miss my legal practice. When I write, I shut everything out. Right now (which is part of writing) the house is waking, plans are being made for the day and I’m going to stop and join them. During a regular week, I see clients everyday, talk to colleagues, go to court. And I’ve gotten some great anecdotes from colleagues and listening in court that become part of my writing.

Tell us about your main character:

Ray Jackson is a thirtyish attorney who is somewhat lost. He’s gotten his first murder case and is fighting to save his practice. He’s not a super hero. Ray doesn’t do anything that you or I couldn’t do. He’s regular guy facing issues similar to the ones we all face. He’s got bills to pay, girl friends and ex girlfriends, and he has to deal with co-workers.

The justice he pursues is in the form of fairness and it’s not just in the courtroom. Life really hasn’t been very fair to Ray in some respects and he begins to come to terms with that.

What are you working on next?

I’ve started another legal mystery that I want to explore how we view life and death. South Carolina still has the death penalty but is staunchly anti abortion. Those seem to be contradictory to me.

Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?

I am extraordinarily average.

Who are your favorite authors?

Poe, James Clavell, Michael Connely, Erik Larson, James Hornfischer, Thomas Hardy’s poetry (not so much his novels), Lee Child, James Baldacci.

What do you like to do with your free time?

Read, write, See friends and family. Cook on the grill. Go to the beach. I don’t have a boat right now and really need one. Watch the Braves.

Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.

It took 6 years to write The Pursuit of Justice. I’ll publish the next when it’s ready, whenever that is.

Where can people find you on the web?

www.thepursuitofjustice.com

@benrusmat

Facebook

Any final thoughts?

I have always been told (and you have too) to write about what you know. But really what we write about is people. We’ve also all heard that there are no new stories and I believe that’s true. But what I find interesting is how people (characters) respond to situations in these same old stories.

You wouldn’t read very far in my book, if you didn’t care about Ray Jackson and his predicament. What James Hornfischer and Erik Larson do so well in their nonfiction is show you the people. You see who they were and what they did. And I wonder, which is the point, what would I have done.

Filed under: Guest Authors, Interviews Tagged: @ScribeMatthews, author interview, Ben Matthews, Blended Family Bliss, The Pursuit Of Justice, writing tips

Book Tour ~ TIME IS RELATIVE FOR A KNIGHT OF TIME

 About The Book

Title: Time Is Relative For A Knight Of Time

Author: Brett Matthew Williams

Brett will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLURB:

Meet Rolland Wright – a seventeen year old orphan living out of his car in rural Woodland Hills, California. Aside from grappling with the fact of being abandoned by his drunken father two years previous following his mothers mysterious murder, his life mostly revolves around finding a warm place to sleep at night. When one day he is attacked by men claiming to have killed his father, Rolland discovers a strange ability to slow the flow of time around him, beginning a journey that takes him to places outside of time, space, and eventually to the early 19th century to fight the sinister General Andrew Jackson. With the help of a rag-tag group of historical and mythical figures with various supernatural abilities of their own (Joan of Arc, Jesse James, etc) known as the Knights of Time, Rolland solves the mystery behind his mother’s murder, falls in love, battles the evil Edward Vilthe – reaper of souls, and finds a home of his own in the paradise known as Eden.

The Time is Relative series chronicles the origin story of the mythical figure Father Time, beginning with the award winning first novel, Time is Relative for a Knight of Time. All dates and events are historically accurate. The participants… maybe not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO

Brett Matthew grew up with a passion for both film and history. He began his career fresh out of high school as a Production Assistant/ football player on NBC Universal’s television series Friday Night Lights (of which he can often be seen in the first two seasons as a member of the championship team – Go Panthers!). He quickly moved on to serve as an Original Series intern with the USA Network in Studio City, California. Following work on shows like Monk, Psych, and Burn Notice, Brett returned home to Texas to continue his education, graduating with his degree in History from Texas State University. A proud Master Freemason, Brett thoroughly enjoys fantasy fiction, watching Netflix, running, baseball, Shakespeare, and spending time with his family and critters.

Website

Twitter

Blog

Amazon

 Book Excerpt

Fire quickly engulfed the limestone building that locals had come to call the White House, forcing the frantic women out the large front doors and into the wide-open marshland beyond the carefully manicured grounds. The night air hit Dolley’s skin with a damp unevenness that made every hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Looking over to Hannah, she saw her own terrified expression mirrored on the young girl’s face, watching as the girl gazed out into the darkness of the tree line. There, in the light of the blazing White House, stood a man so still the trees themselves surpassed him for movement.

The dark figure walked towards them, seemingly impervious to the chaos that surrounded the nation’s capital, the shadows and light from the inferno behind them dancing across him. As he neared, they saw that he was an older man with bits of silver streaking through the black mass of hair sitting atop his slim and polished frame. He was dressed in a dark crimson sweater vest over a pressed long-sleeved button down shirt, and what looked to be crisp and freshly tailored pantaloons.

“Good evening, Lady Madison,” said the man, pausing for a moment to bow to her before continuing in their direction. His face was expressionless, eyes mimicking the darkness of the night around him. The man was not especially scary looking, especially in his elegant dressings. Still, there was an aura to him that spoke to the survival instincts within the two women, evoking impressions of jackals – sharp teeth, claws, and minds.

Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: #Time1sRelative, Book Giveaway, Brett Matthew Williams, Goddess Fish Promotions, Rafflecopter giveaway, TIME IS RELATIVE FOR A KNIGHT OF TIME

Interview With Mort Herman

Hi folks. Today I am interviewing Mort Herman. Mort was a guest on my blog a few days ago, with his book release, Future’s Edge.

Mort, Tell our readers about you.….

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I earned a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and have worked in high-tech industry for 35 years. Throughout my tenure in Corporate America, I gained valuable insight into the business of technology and its revenue-generating capabilities.

Currently, I live on the Jersey shore. When I’m not writing, I am an avid sailor, a wood sculptor and a charter member of the Arts Society of Keyport. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I designed and project managed the implementation of three, concrete free formed sculptures that replace destroyed public art in the town of Keyport, NJ. Currently, mosaic artists are applying glass to these sculptures, depicting points of interest around Keyport and the Raritan bay.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day? 

Life is full of possibilities. I never know what each day will bring.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?  

James A. Michener. I am blown away at the detailed research he does for his books. When it comes to historical fiction, he is the master and has been a big influence in my writings.

What’s the story behind your latest book? 

Future’s Edge, the seed is a story about the future of our planet. It addresses many of the problems we face today from overpopulation, future energy sources, worldwide governments, technological addiction, greed, survival and human complacency.

Tell us your writing process.  

I am lucky to have a compelling storyline for my trilogy. It provides the boundaries for my writing, as I never have to worry about what to do next or how the story will end because I have it all in my head before I start to write. When I write, I have what I call an imaginative mode where I set down the sequences of the story, create characters and map out the flow. I give myself a lot of freedom. In another mode, I develop the characters, incorporate unexpected twists and create conflict. And of course there is the polishing phase where I smooth over the bumps, leading to a credible first read by my beta readers and then the editors. Many times, I choose which type of writing I want to do depending on many things. I could get a spark of inspiration or good idea and off I go, finding a way to integrate it into the book.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Its funny because if someone told me when I was 25 years old that I would publish a Science Fiction Novel, I would have laughed. Then, all of a sudden (May 2012), an idea came to me and in 3 weeks, I had my compelling story. From that singular burst of creativity and inspiration, I have embarked on a mission to finish the trilogy. Book one (Future’s Edge, the seed) was published in September 2014 and I am nearly done with a good first draft of the second book (Future’s Edge, the discovery).

Tell us about your main character

Sam Greenhut, is a technical genus, coming from a long line of famous Greenhut scientists. In 2230, he is responsible for the Global Network, an entity that delivers unlimited energy and information to an insatiable, needy planet. With a backdrop of complete societal dependency on the Global Network, Sam clings to his humanity, preferring to interact with his fellow humans on a face-to-face basis, holding dearly to the principle of self-reliance. When Sam discovers dangers to the smooth operation of the Global Network, the corporate and governmental powers to be, ignore his warnings. Torn between his technical responsibility and his desire to escape his plight and family legacy, Sam is faced with decisions that will dictate the future of our planet.

What are you working on next? 

I am finishing the second book in the trilogy, called Future’s Edge, The Discovery.

Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?

My imagination

Who are your favorite authors?  

James Michener, Isaac Asimov

What do you like to do with your free time?

Sailing, volunteer work.

Tell us about your plans for upcoming books. 

The Trilogy

Where can people find you on the web?

My website is www.futuresedgebook.com

Facebook

Amazon

Linked-In

Goodreads

Any final thoughts? 

To me, writing is a very satisfying, learning endeavor. My story has naturally led me to research a variety of truly diversified topics. From ancient cultures (Inuit and native American), to botany, geology, future technology trends, Arctic exploration and seafaring vessels of the 18th and 19th centuries, each area, like a puzzle piece, has found its way into the novel. The story is the magnet that attracts these ideas, making for a richer final product. I have learned a lot, delving into areas I never thought I would go.

Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: Future's Edge, interview, Mort Herman, the discovery

Cadbury Vegemite Chocolate Taste Test

Cadbury Vegemite Chocolate Taste Test

Tried the new Cadbury Vegemite Chocolate today.

The verdict… See for yourself

 

Filed under: YouTube Tagged: #vegemite, Cadbury Vegemite Chocolate

Interview With… Daniel Gray, author of Why Women Cheat

Hi folks. I am chatting to Daniel Gray, author of Why Women Cheat.

Daniel, What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Honestly what inspires me to get out of bed every day is the future me. I’ve had an extremely difficult life, and the only constant is my wish to be whole and happy. This question lets me know how far I’ve come. I’m inspired to be a better me.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?

I would hang out with Neil Degrasse Tyson. I would talk to him about the universe, physics, and his personal challenges being a being black genius. There are theories that I would like to share with him and I would hope I could peak his interests.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

My book has two themes. The first is my personal experience of entering the world of the pickup artist. I started in the Pickup Artist community after teaching chess for twelve years. For me it was another learning endeavor. The second is attempting to use three anonymous female writers to display the elusive “Inner Woman.”

Tell us your writing process

I spend my time studying and pondering difficult questions and topics, and when I discover something amazing then I write about it.

Do you have any advice on what has and has not worked for you that you can share with other authors?

Promotion is a must, if you want to sell books. There are a number of things that I learned after completing this book. I wrote this book with utilizing free advertising; ie the media. The title is controversial, the topic is controversial, and the chapters are all controversial. This was the intent even before I began writing, the free advertising. Without trying very hard I was booked on 15 radio and podcast shows. What didn’t got as planned was the stereotyping that ensued. I learned a valuable media lesson, if you are willing to play a role, the media wants you. When people hear the term “Pick Up Artist” it engenders an image of an unscrupulous, manipulative, odd character. I was told beforehand in some places what they expected from me. The truth is there is only one body of knowledge out there about women, one of the most difficult things to deal with in most men’s lives. Most men I know, who are in the community, don’t fit the bill of what people expect for a Pickup Artist. If I would wear a funny hat, makeup, and black nail polish I would certainly get lots of airtime. Before you start writing, you will certainly need some controversy to get on the air, but consider the role they will expect you to play. If that’s not the role you are comfortable with, try again. This is where I am now. I love my book, but it’s not what people expect. My final advice for writers is this. Don’t worry about whether you make a best seller right now. Start writing your next book, because you are an awesome writer!

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I never dreamed that I’d be a writer. I spent about a decade dealing with severe PTSD. I did therapy, group therapy, pills, meditation, hypnosis, NLP, and anything I thought would help. My problem was all that I am, was trapped inside of me. One day I decided to write it all down as a form of therapy. To let it all out. The book was over 700 pages long. After I edited the hell out of it, it’s now only over 500 pages long. Honestly, it’s not a good read. Too many ideas mashed together. I still published it on Amazon, just for my own personal growth. Instead of saying how much my book was a failure, I realized that I had at least 10 different book ideas in that book; at least. “Why Women Cheat” was based on only two mentions in the giant book. I was right about the controversy, but I don’t like the negative attention. I don’t think I’m emotionally stable enough to fill the roll of a heel. In any case, I have many book ideas. It feels good to write and get myself out there. I don’t mind so much if I’m not super successful right now.



Tell us about your main character:

There are four characters, three anonymous female writers and I. Hmmm, they are real people.

What are you working on next?

I’m writing a book on the economic history of the United States. You may be wondering why would I go from a pickup artist book to economic theory. The truth is, economics and math are simple to understand. They are predictable and not at all terrifying. Economics is fun, but women are just a bit more fascinating.

Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?

I wouldn’t call it extraordinary but I can play the piano. I was apart of the famous chess team the “Raging Rooks” when I was in middle school. I have a degree in Mathematics from Vassar college. I’m a comedian, and I’m right now starting an acting career(I need to keep letting myself out.) I can sing and performed quite a bit. Also, I’m an expert Salsa dancer.

Who are your favorite authors?

I don’t have any favorites right now. When I’m intense about a subject, some of the best authors stand out. But I’m not intense about any studies right now.

What do you like to do with your free time?

Right now, I write in my free time. Soon, it will be writing and auditioning. Hopefully, I’ll start dancing salsa again soon.

Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.

After I write my book about economics, I plan to write books about religion, physics, and personal identities. I do have more books in mind, but I think life may catch up to me somehow and sidetrack my plans.

Where can people find you on the web?

the website is thedanielgray.com. Mostly under construction. It will reflect my acting and books soon. You can of course follow me @harlemdragon

Any final thoughts?

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts and myself with you. It feel good to be at this moment in my life.

Filed under: Guest Authors Tagged: @harlemdragon, Daniel Gray, Pick Up Artist, Why Women Cheat, writing tips