E.Michael Helms's Blog: Michael's Musings, page 7
June 26, 2014
Great Interview from Words With Leti Del Mar
Please check out the wonderful review with author/reviewer Leti Del Mar at her blog!
http://wordswithletidelmar.blogspot.c...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
http://wordswithletidelmar.blogspot.c...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
May 11, 2014
LIBRARY JOURNAL reviews "OF BLOOD AND BROTHERS: Books One & Two
(Library Journal review by Douglas Lord)
This superbly enjoyable historical fiction features a simple and quite skillfully written story centered on family, the Civil War, and lost love. In 1927 Northern Florida, rookie reporter Calvin Hogue stumbles upon the two elderly Malburn brothers, who fought on opposite sides of the Civil War. It’s easy to get the two talking, but not together. Daniel, the older brother, and Elijah don’t speak to each other, but each tells Hogue his life’s story over the course of many meetings that the reporter dutifully transcribes into a weekly newspaper series. The two ended up on opposite sides inadvertently when young Elijah was captured and forced to work for the North as a scout. He eventually, and reluctantly, led a raid on his home valley of Econfina. The books chronicle seven intense years, from battles in Georgia to Reconstruction in Florida. The genuine, homespun voices Helms uses for the brothers (e.g., “Laying there under that hot sun I soon got powerful thirsty”) work perfectly as they potently recount harrowing battlefield experiences (e.g., “A yell went up like the bowels of Hell had busted open and ten thousand screaming demons was set loose”) and tell of sadnesses—including both falling for the same girl. The chronicle continues into the 1870s after Daniel returns home on foot from a Northern POW camp and Elijah is branded by some as a traitor. The young, excitable Hogue is also a well-drawn character; he coughs through sips of offered moonshine and obsesses about honoring the two brothers with the “whole story.” Helms’s steady intensity and pace keep the three narratives on track with little frittering away of precious pages. Both books are quick and pleasurable reads. VERDICT Helms’s (Proud Bastards) fiction carries the ring of truth.
This superbly enjoyable historical fiction features a simple and quite skillfully written story centered on family, the Civil War, and lost love. In 1927 Northern Florida, rookie reporter Calvin Hogue stumbles upon the two elderly Malburn brothers, who fought on opposite sides of the Civil War. It’s easy to get the two talking, but not together. Daniel, the older brother, and Elijah don’t speak to each other, but each tells Hogue his life’s story over the course of many meetings that the reporter dutifully transcribes into a weekly newspaper series. The two ended up on opposite sides inadvertently when young Elijah was captured and forced to work for the North as a scout. He eventually, and reluctantly, led a raid on his home valley of Econfina. The books chronicle seven intense years, from battles in Georgia to Reconstruction in Florida. The genuine, homespun voices Helms uses for the brothers (e.g., “Laying there under that hot sun I soon got powerful thirsty”) work perfectly as they potently recount harrowing battlefield experiences (e.g., “A yell went up like the bowels of Hell had busted open and ten thousand screaming demons was set loose”) and tell of sadnesses—including both falling for the same girl. The chronicle continues into the 1870s after Daniel returns home on foot from a Northern POW camp and Elijah is branded by some as a traitor. The young, excitable Hogue is also a well-drawn character; he coughs through sips of offered moonshine and obsesses about honoring the two brothers with the “whole story.” Helms’s steady intensity and pace keep the three narratives on track with little frittering away of precious pages. Both books are quick and pleasurable reads. VERDICT Helms’s (Proud Bastards) fiction carries the ring of truth.
May 6, 2014
Read, White & Blue
It is time for the 2014 Read, White & Blue event sponsored and hosted by Closed the Cover. This event is designed to show our love and appreciation for the US troops and everything they do to keep us safe and protected. The participants have all donated their books and/or money to help bring this event to life; the money donated has been spent to purchase the grand prize offered below with the remainder of the money to be donated directly to the Semper Fi Fund.
About the Semper Fi Fund
"The Semper Fi Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its program America's Fund, are set up to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. We direct urgently needed resources to post 9/11 service members, who meet our criteria for assistance, from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserves."
The grand prize for the 2014 Read, White & Blue event will be an "All You Need to Read" kit which includes: a Kindle and donated eBooks, a set of custom coffee mugs, a comfy cozy blanket, and a $20 Starbucks gift card
For more information or to enter the giveaway visit: http://www.emichaelhelms.com/1/post/2...
About the Semper Fi Fund
"The Semper Fi Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its program America's Fund, are set up to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. We direct urgently needed resources to post 9/11 service members, who meet our criteria for assistance, from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserves."
The grand prize for the 2014 Read, White & Blue event will be an "All You Need to Read" kit which includes: a Kindle and donated eBooks, a set of custom coffee mugs, a comfy cozy blanket, and a $20 Starbucks gift card
For more information or to enter the giveaway visit: http://www.emichaelhelms.com/1/post/2...
April 26, 2014
RONE AWARD FINALIST!
RONE AWARD FINALIST!
Good news, friends and neighbors. "Of Blood and Brothers: Book One" and "Deadly Catch: A Mac McClellan Mystery" have both been named finalists in the 2014 RONE Awards! Yea!
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held July 11 at The Golden Nugget Resort in Las Vegas.
Thanks to all for your support and good wishes. YOU made this happen!
Good news, friends and neighbors. "Of Blood and Brothers: Book One" and "Deadly Catch: A Mac McClellan Mystery" have both been named finalists in the 2014 RONE Awards! Yea!
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held July 11 at The Golden Nugget Resort in Las Vegas.
Thanks to all for your support and good wishes. YOU made this happen!
April 22, 2014
A CHALLENGE FOR READERS AND WRITERS!
Okay, it's fun and games time!
I can take a pen or pencil, touch it to a sheet of paper, make three distinct strokes, and spell out a four-letter word WITHOUT lifting the pen or pencil from the paper (and no, it's not one of THOSE four-letter words!). When finished, there will only be ONE letter on the page.
Up for the challenge? The FIRST correct answer will receive an autographed copy of my upcoming novel, "The Private War of Corporal Henson" (due out in August, but ARCs are now available).
So, put on your thinking caps and let those cards and letters start rolling in (actually, contact me through my Goodreads page)! GOOD LUCK!
I can take a pen or pencil, touch it to a sheet of paper, make three distinct strokes, and spell out a four-letter word WITHOUT lifting the pen or pencil from the paper (and no, it's not one of THOSE four-letter words!). When finished, there will only be ONE letter on the page.
Up for the challenge? The FIRST correct answer will receive an autographed copy of my upcoming novel, "The Private War of Corporal Henson" (due out in August, but ARCs are now available).
So, put on your thinking caps and let those cards and letters start rolling in (actually, contact me through my Goodreads page)! GOOD LUCK!
April 16, 2014
YOU WILL LOVE THIS QUOTE!
"Writing amounts to removing a piece of yourself and exposing it to criticism.
The bravery of that action alone deserves to be looked on with clemency."
--April Khaito (Goodreads member)
The bravery of that action alone deserves to be looked on with clemency."
--April Khaito (Goodreads member)
April 10, 2014
Please Support the "READ, WHITE & BLUE" Giveaway!
Closed The Cover is sponsoring a super event chock full of giveaway items. You won't want to miss out on this! Here is the URL:
https://www.facebook.com/events/22507...
This is a very worthy cause, so please join in with your support. Thank you all, and best of luck!
https://www.facebook.com/events/22507...
This is a very worthy cause, so please join in with your support. Thank you all, and best of luck!
PLEASE SUPPORT "READ, WHITE & BLUE" GIVEAWAY!
Please check out this event and spread the word. A lot of good prizes to be given away to those participating!
Closed the Cover's photo.
Read, White & Blue "All You Need to Read" Giveaway
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00am
North Port, Florida
63 people are going
Closed the Cover's photo.
Read, White & Blue "All You Need to Read" Giveaway
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00am
North Port, Florida
63 people are going
April 3, 2014
ROMANCE GIVEAWAY!
12 of today's top 100 bestselling authors are hosting a cover reveal and release day giveaway! Check it out here:
Here's the link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
Here's the link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
March 30, 2014
FINAL DAY TO VOTE FOR "DEADLY CATCH!"
This is the final day to vote for my first Mac McClellan Mystery, "Deadly Catch," nominated by InD'tale Magazine for a RONE Award! Please help send me to The Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas this July by voting for "Deadly Catch." VOTING ENDS TODAY! (March 30).
Here's the url: http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards
You don't have to subscribe to InD'tale to vote. Simply send an e-mail to: anasmith@indtale.com
Put "RONE Awards Voting" in the subject line, and the following info in the body of your message:
Category: Mystery
Title: Deadly Catch
Author: E. Michael Helms
That's all there is to it! I really appreciate your vote, and please help spread the word for me -- thanks! --Michael
Here's the url: http://www.indtale.com/2014-rone-awards
You don't have to subscribe to InD'tale to vote. Simply send an e-mail to: anasmith@indtale.com
Put "RONE Awards Voting" in the subject line, and the following info in the body of your message:
Category: Mystery
Title: Deadly Catch
Author: E. Michael Helms
That's all there is to it! I really appreciate your vote, and please help spread the word for me -- thanks! --Michael
Michael's Musings
The giveaway for my Vietnam memoir, THE PROUD BASTARDS, ends on Halloween! If you'd like to add a signed copy to your Trick or Treat bag, then click on the book's thumbnail which will take you to the
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