MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 383

August 23, 2013

Independent Author Index Book Bio - Hard as Roxx by Bill Jones, Jr.

 http://indaindex.com/book-bio-hard-as-roxx-by-bill-jones-jr/#more-23357 Hard as Roxx by Bill Jones, Jr. on the Independent Author IndexBook Bio: Hard as Roxx by Bill Jones, Jr.August 23, 2013 | Posted by IAI Admin in Book Bios, FYINo comments[image error]Author:Bill Jones, Jr.
Book title: Hard as Roxx
Book rating: PG-13 (questionable content for children under 13)
Book contains: Sexual violence against women/children/men
Publisher: CreateSpace

Independent Author Index (IAI): What is your book about?
Bill Jones, Jr. (BJJ): In a world that is a distorted hybrid of rigid control and absolute lawlessness, Roxanne Grail broke a cardinal rule: she got pregnant, for the second time. Now, she and her two daughters need to make it across the Sahara to the frozen European north, and freedom. There are just two problems: one, she doesn’t have a way to get there, and two, the One Child Law doesn’t have a statute of limitations. The penalty for a second birth is death – to the mother and to the child.
And her youngest daughter’s father? Well, he just happens to be a war hero and emerging leader of a shaky burgeoning democracy. An illegal child – especially the result of a rape – wouldn’t be good for his career. He means to see that no one ever finds out.
Meet Roxx, a 6’3″ martial arts instructor with a penchant for twentieth-century tech, including her 1940 Indian motorcycle. The Law says she must surrender her child, or die. Roxx never studied law. So, it is Roxx, her two daughters, and new partner, Trint, against the world.
Those odds suit Roxx just fine.
IAI: How did you pick the topic for Hard as Roxx?
BJJ: I actually got the idea for Roxx from looking at a music video, of all places (“Do It Like a Dude,” by Jessie J). The video depicted a kind of dystopian setting, dominated by women. It made me wonder what a Sci-Fi adventure would be like with a strong female as a lead, and with a woman-centered core theme. I did some research on women’s fears, and what kept coming up as the strongest fear was something happening to one of their children. After that, the plot just seemed to flow.
IAI: How is Hard as Roxx different from other books that cover the same or similar information?
BJJ: Probably a fundamental difference between “Roxx” and other dystopian fiction is the concept of hope. I’ve created a post-apocalyptic world, and one fraught with problems. Roxx and her daughters are in great peril, but in every instance, there is a glimmer of hopefulness that they carry. I’m convinced that people don’t crumble when society does; that’s when they begin to shine.
The other difference is that I was determined to create a different kind of heroic female lead. I wanted her strong, but not the leather-clad video-game heroine that seems to pervade sci-fi movies. Roxx is tough, but feminine. Her partner, Trint, is a lesbian, and prefers men’s clothing to women’s, but she’s tender and nurturing. At the end, Roxx is a character study – just one with tons of action.
IAI: What do you like most about writing this book?
BJJ: I enjoyed the world building tremendously. The book begins in the year 2137, and I actually created a timeline of technical and societal changes that happen year-by-year from 2013 until then. Most of the details don’t appear in the book, but I think it made my future world believable. An early reader characterized it as “just west of normal.”
Other than that, I loved the growing friendship between Roxx and Trint. It was fun enough that I scrapped the male romance interest I’d initially planned.
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Published on August 23, 2013 07:22

The Phil Naessens Show 8-23-2013 The Three Scariest Teams in the NBA Western Conference

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/the-phil-naessens-show-8-23-2013-the-three-scariest-teams-in-the-nba-western-conference/

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On today’s show Grizzly Bear Blues Managing Editor joins host Phil Naessens to discuss the Tony Wroten trade, the Nick Calathes signing and speculate on the future of other Grizzly players including Zach Randolf plus much more and Pounding the Rock Managing Editor J.R. Wilco joins Phil to discuss the need for talking about Game 6 and which three Western Conference teams they Spurs don’t want to face in the conference finals plus lots more on today’s Phil Naessens Show.
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Published on August 23, 2013 04:49

History Trivia - Scottish patriot, William Wallace, executed for high treason by Edward I of England

August 23

79 Mount Vesuvius ( a stratovolcano on the Bay of Naples, Italy) began to stir, on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

93 Gnaeus Julius Agricola, Roman Governor of Britain died.

406 Battle at Florence: Stilicho's Roman army beat Radagaisus' Barbarians. Radagaisus King of the Goths (East Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin) was captured and executed.

476 Germanic warrior Odoacer was elected King of Byzantium.

686 Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne, was born.

1305 William Wallace, Scottish patriot, was executed for high treason by Edward I of England.
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Published on August 23, 2013 04:49

August 22, 2013

The Wizard of Notts Recommends - Day Three of the York Ebor Festival



The speedsters take centre stage at York today in the Nunthorpe, one of the fastest flattest sprints in Europe. 5f of blistering speed and we're going for a massive 100/;1 touch with ex-England Centre Forward Mick Channon's Miss Lahar. Channon won this with reliable fast ground stallion Piccolo in 1994 and his filly is well drawn to attack down the stand side rail. Drawn next to her is Tickled Pink who endured a terrible run in the King George at Goodwood last month. Brilliantly fast, and possibly a "twicer", with two ways of running, she has the potential to win a Group One.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5YWGi8-byo
 http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/8883264/roll-the-dice-with-tepmokeaRoll the Dice with TepmokeaLast Updated: August 22 2013, 20:15 BSTBen Linfoot seeks out the value from day three of the York Ebor Festival and he's focused on the Sky Bet Handicap. Tepmokea (white face): Underestimated once again Tepmokea (white face): Underestimated once again
Related ContentLive horse racing resultsRacecards and formLatest non-runnersLatest video formFree £10 bet on racingWe saw on Thursday in the Clipper Logistics Handicap won by Mont Ras that a soft lead at York can be a lethal weapon and this should be considered when assessing the opening Sky Bet Handicap on Friday.
For while you might presume that a decent pace is assured in a field of 16, there is a distinct lack of usual front runners in the line-up.
I've identified just two, SCATTER DICE and TEPMOKEA . At 12/1 and 33/1 respectively, both look worth backing, as they appeal from a handicapping point of view too.
We'll start with Scatter Dice, Mark Johnston's filly, who won four races in five starts between April and July last year, rising from a handicap mark of 64 to one of 93 in those four months.
She hasn't won since, but finally, after 11 starts this year, the handicapper has relented and dropped her to a mark of 87. Racing off that rating at Chester last time, she ran her best race for ages when a three-quarter-length second to Kiama Bay (with whom she has a 6lb pull at the weights on Friday).
A daughter of Manduro, you might think that the cut in the ground she experienced on the Roodee was to her advantage - and it might've been - but she's performed perfectly well on a fast surface several times, including in victory.
Unlikely to be hassled up front for the lead, Scatter Dice is a dangerous filly to let loose up front at York, especially given she is beginning to look well-handicapped on her very best form.
With Franny Norton booked in the saddle I'd expect a big run and 12/1 seems perfectly fair.
If there is one horse that is going to keep her company throughout the contest it is Elaine Burke's Tepmokea and he is also worth backing at 33/1.
Regular readers will remember he was the selection at the same price when second to one of Johnston's in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock, running well off his lowest mark for three years from a prominent position.
Well, after two below-par runs since he's back down to a rating in the 80s and, drawn perfectly in three, expect him to be prominent early once again.
He took up the running two furlongs out at Haydock before being worn down by Star Lahib late on and I think it's reasonable to expect a similar performance on Friday now he has his optimum conditions once again.
The added bonus in this race is his exceptional record at York - his only two career victories over a mile and a half have come on the Knavesmire and at 33s he's been seriously underestimated.
Selections:
1pt win Scatter Dice at 12/1 and 1pt ew Tepmokea at 33/1 in the 13.55
Ben Linfoot's Value Bet Aim: The Value Bet is designed to generate long-term profit by searching for overpriced horses in the feature weekend races and at the big Festivals in the UK. Running total: +260.56pts to advised stakes/prices (from inception of Value Bet column in January 2010 to current). The column is +128.25pts to recommended stakes in 2013.
Posted at 1645 BST on 22/08/2013.

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Published on August 22, 2013 17:27

The Phil Naessens Show 8-22-2013 Is the Bench the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Weakness?

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/the-phil-naessens-show-8-22-2013-is-the-bench-the-oklahoma-city-thunders-weakness/
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On today’s Phil Naessens Show Clips Nation Managing Editor Steven Perrin joins host Phil Naessens to discuss his picks for the Western Conference top eight finishers, Athletics Nation Lead Writer Alex Hall gives us his usual thorough Oakland Athletics report and Welcome to Loud City Managing Editor J.A. Sherman and Phil discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder bench and the guys then give their all NBA bench team plus much more!
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Published on August 22, 2013 06:24

History Trivia -Richard III slain at the Battle of Bosworth

August 22

392 Arbogast (Frankish general of the Roman Empire) had Eugenius (a Christian who was the last Emperor to support Roman polytheism) elected Western Roman Emperor.

476 Odoacer was named Rex Italia (King of Italy)) by his troops. His reign is commonly seen as marking the end of the classical Roman Empire in Western Europe and the beginning of the Middle Ages.

565 St. Columba reported seeing a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland.

851 Erispoe, King of Brittany, defeated Charles the Bald near the Breton town of Jengland. 

1485 Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth and Henry VII became the first king of the Tudor dynasty.

1642 Charles Iraises the royal standard at Nottingham, igniting the English Civil War.
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Published on August 22, 2013 05:40

August 21, 2013

99 cents Kindle edition special - Bargain Bride, Billionaire Groom (Island Moonlight Collection) by Lelani Black

 



He flew to #Maui to say goodbye and wound up in her bed, instead. A marriage-of-convenience goes haywire when desire gets in the way of a practical arrangement. Ski lessons in the snowy alpine mountains of Colorado included! #99Cents on #Kindle, perfect romantic read for your next getaway! *Highly sensual*

http://www.amazon.com/Bargain-Billionaire-Moonlight-Collection-ebook/dp/B008WB49HY/ref=pd_sim_b_2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bargain-Billionaire-Moonlight-Collection-ebook/dp/B008WB49HY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377096962&sr=1-1&keywords=lelani+black

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Published on August 21, 2013 08:39

KINDLE SPECIAL - back to school treat - The Adventures of Cecilia Spark: The Brimstone Forest by Ngaire Elder




A witch, a dragon and Troglosauruses ... Cecilia's bug hunting adventure in the garden takes an interesting turn. Trapped by a witch, can Cecilia outwit her captor and find her way home? Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime and meet the mesmerizing creatures and characters from the Brimstone Forest. The story is beautifully illustrated throughout, creator Peter Maddocks. His illustrations capture the magic and charm of this spellbinding adventure. Target audience 4-9 year olds and suitable for boys and girls. Superb story to read aloud. This is the first book in the new children's series, THE ADVENTURES OF CECILIA SPARK
Purchase Links:

US
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1478172002/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_xalfsb1ATV9NM
UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Adventures-Cecilia-Spark-ebook/dp/B006TI8N9W/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377092478&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=The+adventures+of+cecelia+spark
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Published on August 21, 2013 06:38

Book Review - Megan: Breadcrumbs For The Nasties Book One by Steven Novak

http://projectfandom.com/megan-breadcrumbs-for-the-nasties-book-one/Megan: Breadcrumbs For The Nasties Book OneAvatar of Nina Perez by Nina Perez August 20, 2013 in Book Reviews, Featured, Giveaways
Full disclosure: The author of Megan: Breadcrumbs for the Nasties Book One is not only the illustrator of my three books, he’s currently working on the covers of my next series of books, and he’s a friend. This review contains very mild spoilers.
Megan Book Cover Please don’t be fooled by the little girl on the cover of Megan, the first in the Breadcrumbs For The Nasties series by Steven Novak. This book isn’t for children or the faint of heart. Novak pulls no punches in this post-apocalyptic tale of a world overrun by creatures, both supernatural and human.The only world Megan has ever known is traveling across the country on foot, with her parents, avoiding ‘the nasties’ that now roam freely. They hide in abandoned homes at night, eating whatever spoiled food they can find, and pray that the ravaged structures will protect them from the Howlers, Gimps, and Biters, the creatures born from whatever catastrophe altered the world into a dangerous wasteland. When tragedy strikes, Megan quickly learns that monsters come in many forms and finds herself on the run with a man she doesn’t know and doesn’t trust.I became frustrated with the character of Megan in the beginning, but had to remind myself that she’s just a child and even though the only life she has ever known has been filled with nothing but danger, she was still fairly well protected and sheltered by her parents. As she travels with her new companion, Blueeyes, she has to learn to take more responsibility for her own safety. As Novak put it when I asked him, “Am I supposed to want to shake the shit out of Megan?,” she definitely becomes “less like Carl of season two of The Walking Dead and more like Carl of season three as the story progresses.”While you may recognize the monsters in this book (Biters are essentially vampires, Gimps are zombies, and Howlers are a werewolf/hell hound hybrid), Novak’s story sets itself apart from the usual tropes by never letting you forget how dire the circumstances are for our protagonists. Bad shit happens. A lot. And just when you think that maybe Megan and Blueeyes will catch a break, more bad shit happens. The relationship between the two kind of reminded me of the father-protector/progeny one in The Professional. Blueeyes is a man with many secrets from a life before the world went to hell. You’ll admire his care for Megan, but at the same time question his motives.If Blade, The Walking Dead, and The Road had a baby, it would be this book. Dark, brutal, and unapologetic, Megan is a helluva read. And don’t worry. As Novak’s friend, I will make sure he stays on task to get book two in our hands. Especially considering Megan had an ending I didn’t see coming and you won’t either.You can purchase a copy of Megan: Breadcrumbs For The Nasties Book One on Amazon in paperback or for the Kindle.
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Published on August 21, 2013 04:50

The Phil Naessens Show 8-21-2013 Should MLB Treat PEDS Offenders the Same as Gamblers?

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/the-phil-naessens-show-8-21-2013-should-mlb-treat-peds-offenders-the-same-as-gamblers/

philvegas1
Is gambling in baseball on the same level as using PEDS? Is Alex Rodriquez being unfairly singled out? Should Mets Manager Terry Collins be fired and who should replace him? Please join host Phil Naessens and special guest Blogging Mets Mark Berman for these topics plus some suggestions for the Mets blogosphere and lots more on today’s Phil Naessens Show.
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Published on August 21, 2013 04:42