Daniel Kaye's Blog, page 2

Are Wind Turbines as green as they actually claim?

Often pictured in beautiful scenic views like this, but are Wind Turbines as green as they actually claim?
These words are often banded around, and at first glance they look quiet impressive:
Wind energy is better for the environment than coal, natural gas or nuclear energy. Wind turbines operate pollution free, do not add to climate change and use very little water.
After all wind turbines themselves do not omit carbon dioxide (CO2) so are not adding to the “Global Warming” threat that we have all been living under. In fact some have claimed that they will in fact reduce the carbon footprint, it all sounds and looks great, but is it actually true?One of the largest carbon dioxide omitting materials we manufacture is concrete; an astonishing 900KG of CO2 is emitted in its fabrication. Where does this fit in with wind farms you ask?Consider the reinforced concrete foundation base used for the turbine. An average base can contain up to 1000 cubic meters of concrete. The size of the base depends on the turbine height, the size of the blades and gearing systems, and the foundation engineering requirements of the ground in which it is being built. New roads have to be laid, standing platforms for cranes and other smaller buildings are usually located nearby, in all one hell of a lot of concrete. Then we have to consider a base of this size has be a continuous pour, this means that the 1000 cubic meters of concrete has to be poured in one go. The average ready mixed concrete truck holds approximately 9 cubic meters each so that is a lot of truck loads to fill just one single base.
But so what you say, we’re surrounded by concrete, especially in the cities. Yes true, but these wind turbines are pictured as a green alternative, often seen in meadows from a far gently moving (or not) and nothing else. These were meant to be the answer, not something that added to the problem.But the wind turbine is green energy you say: surly it will reduce the CO2 over time?On paper the simple answer is, yes. For every 1MW of electric produced 2.6 tons of CO2 are offset by the use of wind power. So eventually the initial boost of carbon omitted in the production, building, and installing of these turbines will be wiped clean. Everyone can smile and pat themselves on the back, it’s a job well done – or is it?
A report on the findings of Dr Kees le Pair, a retired Dutch physicist says the CO2 problem doesn’t stop there.In a comprehensive quantitative analysis of CO2 emissions and wind-power, Dutch physicist C. le Pair has recently shown that deploying wind turbines on "normal windy days" in the Netherlands actually increased fuel (gas) consumption, rather than saving it, when compared to electricity generation with modern high-efficiency gas turbines.
 So what is Dr Kees le Pair really saying?From what I can take on it, he is telling us what we already know, wind is unpredictable and unreliable.At present there is no efficient way to store electricity so when the wind farms are inactive. There’s not enough wind, too much wind, or they are down for maintenance, demand cannot be met, so backup methods have to be used. This is where we revert to the more traditional plants for producing our electricity. But because there is a sudden surge more fuel has to be used to take the generators from idle to meet the demand, creating more than normal CO2 omission.  Previously these generators would not have been sitting at idle and it’s the sudden surge that is causing the problem. The slow steady burn of fossil fuel before caused less CO2 than the quick build up that is now needed when the wind farms fail to produce. Dr Kees le Pair Document Are wind turbines increasing carbon emissions?
But these wind farms are everywhere, they must be working.There are rumours of how Ireland is going to be used as the wind farm for the UK but in reality we don’t have enough to supply our own needs, and the cutting in of the traditional generators is more common than they would probably like you to know.  Check EirGrid’s automated Twitter feed for actual figures EirGrid Info It is periodically updated throughout the day, and it just proves how Ireland’s Wind program is failing, nearly 100% of the time we appear to be importing electricity because we can no longer meet our own demand.The cable EirGrid have to the UK will not be alone for long, at present EirGrid are mapping the sea bed to link Ireland to France – All we can ask is, what are their future plans? You can read more about that here Pylon project really an attempt to make us windmill of Europe.
So to answer my original question: Are Wind Turbines as green as they actually claim?I personally don’t think so, you have to consider more than what the glossy information tells us about how great wind farming is and what it can do for us and look for yourself at what they are not doing. The promises of a cleaner living, reducing the carbon footprint and providing cheaper forms of electricity, all so far seem to be no more than a failure. In Spain the government have rubber stamped cutting subsidies to the wind farming industries, their economy can no longer afford to prop up this industry. What is the wind farmer developer’s response to this, they are considering dismantling their turbines and selling them off on the second hand market. Spain, who once had one of the most successful markets in this technology are now considering getting rid of it, because they know without government funding to subsidise it, the wind faming business simply does not work as a business and at the end of the day, they only seem to be in it for the money.
More about Spain's problem here  Spain at a Standstill  
Hopefully other governments will learn from Spain before it's too late, and stop throwing vast sums of money up into the blades of these wind turbines. 


All the best,Daniel Kaye x

The Endangered by S. L. Eaves Blog Tour

It gives me great pleasure to welcome S.L. Eaves to my blog today for the launch of her novel The Endangered.





 Luthando Coeur is pleased to announce the upcoming publication of The Endangered, by S.L. Eaves on Sept. 4. This is a fast-paced fantasy action tale which shifts between the contemporary urban settings of New York and London.  Eaves combines a knack for relatable dialogue with a tremendous premise to bring forth a remarkable piece of writing.
S&D Industries is a prominent pharmaceutical company based in New York.  It has, for many years, appeared to exist only for the benefit of humanity, and this year's chief product seems no different.  The company's CEO, whom we know only as Striden, announces the imminent delivery of a powerful flu vaccine. The true purposes of S&D are anything but philanthropic, however.  The newly-engineered drug does not protect against flu.  It turns people into werewolves.
The only group which stands a chance of resisting this change is a population of vampires.  The foremost of them, who go by the name of The Endangered, are determined to turn back the mass werewolf infestation.  Among them are an ambitious rebel named Catch, and Lori, Catch's newly-turned protege.  Catch has brought this treacherous world to Lori's doorstep and both their worlds are turned upside-down in the process.  Secrets are exposed, alliances are formed.  Blood is spilled as the vampires must do everything in their power to preserve both their own kind and that of their food supply.



Author’s Bio:
S.L. Eaves' background is in marketing, primarily in media and publishing industries. She enjoys being in an environment that promotes creativity and challenges her to apply her film and writing skills to generate innovative marketing campaigns.
Outside of writing, she's an avid sports fan and concert goer who enjoys running and biking in her free time and readily confesses to being bit of a film and television junkie. When home, she's never without a book in arm’s reach.The Endangered is her debut novel and is slated to be the first in a new series from Zharmae Publishing Press, with the sequel scheduled for 2015.




Author Contact Info: Facebook Twitter Goodreads  

So who is ready for an excerpt?


"Drive Faster."            80 ... 85 ... 90. The pedal vibrated under my foot.            "I'm pushing a hundred. These winding roads make it hard.”            Crina climbed over the front seats and settled into shotgun. She'd been taking care of Xan, who was unconscious in the back.            "How's he doing?"            "He took one hell of a blow to the head, but he'll be okay."            I turned up the radio to drown out the sound of the police sirens behind us. My eyes kept darting to the rearview.            There were two of them back there. At least.            They'd caught our trail while we were tearing through the city. You could say we had a police escort out of Los Angeles.            "How far till Mexico?" Crina was wiping blood off her hands.            "Far. Dunno. At this rate we're not gonna make it."            "Where the hell are we anyway?"            "Somewhere mountainous,” I responded dryly.            "You shouldn't be driving. You lost a lot of blood."            "Well right now that’s the least of our problems."            I’d hotwired an old 90s roadster while Crina was hoisting an unconscious Xan through the hatchback. An easy steal, but the old beast of a transmission was fighting me on every turn. It was a miracle we’d made it out of the city at all.
            Headlights glimpsed the guardrail. We hit a sharp curve, caught some stones in the tires and skidded through the gravel for a spell. I gripped the wheel tightly, downshifting. Crina clawed the dash. Xan remained sprawled across the backseat. We fishtailed, then straightened out.            I shifted gears and kept my focus on the road ahead.            The speedometer climbed back over 80 mph. Crina shot me a nervous glance.            "Just keeping the cops on their toes."            "They'll be sending out back-up and lots of it… likely include a chopper. We           aren’t going to make it much farther in this car. We gotta bail."            "Yeah..."            I hate when she’s right.            Crina rolled down her window and released her seatbelt. I followed suit.            "We should've stolen a convertible."            I grinned, “Next time.”            "There's a ravine nearby. I smell the water."            There was a valley down to our left, a fitting host for water. And our escape.            "Something to aim for. What about Xan?"            An over-confident Crina was halfway out the window, she ducked back in.            "Can't toss him. Gotta pull him from the wreckage.”            My stomach churned. Not what I wanted to hear. Cops were still in tight pursuit. They would not be relenting anytime soon. Someone blew apart several blocks of downtown L.A. and we presently carried the titles of Suspect One, Two, and Three.            Our options were limited at best. There was a tight bend up ahead.            "Get ready to bail."            My foot slammed the accelerator. Crina climbed most of the way out the window, bracing her feet on the door handle.            "See you at the bottom," I promised Xan under my breath.
            The road curved sharply to the right.            We didn't.            The car went airborne and we ejected mid dive over the rocky and tree filled terrain. From my own airborne position, I watched as the car clipped the tops of a few trees and nosedived into the jagged landscape below.  Its short-lived plummet was followed by a dramatic landing as it bounced into tree trunks, flipped over laterally and eventually rolled to a stop.            I had similar luck.            My feet struck the ground, but I didn’t stick the landing. Hurling forward over some rocks, I bounced along the mountainside until a tree brought me to an abrupt halt. Still conscious, I lay at its trunk watching the world spin.            Ouch.
            Stumbling, I forced my feet to keep me vertical. My head was spinning. I staggered towards the light supplied by flames now emanating from the pile of metal and gasoline that used to be a car. My eyes started to focus as I neared the overturned vehicle.            "Xan," I coughed, holding my rib cage.            Had that fall not jolted him awake? Lucky bastard.            I looked around. No sign of Crina.            Hastily, I pried back the driver's side door and was relieved to see Xan inside, still unconscious. The fall had tossed him onto the foot well of the back, but he seemed no worse for wear.            Folding the driver’s seat forward, I climbed in and slipped my arms under him. Grasping his underarms, I slid him out from the burning car. Crina caught me as I fell back under his deadweight. She pulled us both to safety, beating out my pant leg which had caught fire in the process.
            We took shelter in some dense underbrush. From there we could see the police cars up the hillside. They were parked, headlights beaming out across the night sky, illuminating the treetops. I caught the silhouette of an officer as he crossed the front of a car. We couldn’t spot anyone making their way downhill. Perhaps they were waiting for fire truck or a medical unit. 
            "How are you doing?"            "Okay. Caught hold of a tree branch mid flight. Made for an easy descent. You?"            "Had a kinda rough landing. Maybe a few cracked ribs."            Xan began to stir.            "Xan!" We both exclaimed.            "What happened?" his voice was horse and weak. I bent down to hug him.            "Lori!" He wrapped his arms around me and stayed clenched as I stood up. I grimaced at his weight on my half-eaten shoulder. Crina took his arms from my neck and helped him to his feet.            "You sure you can stand okay?" She asked. He was looking around.            "Where are we?"            "Somewhere outside LA." I muttered, bracing myself against a tree. I looked over at the car a few yards up the hillside. Cops were shining their flashlights around, but they didn’t quite have the range. The car was completely engulfed in flames.            "We have to keep moving," Crina said, "I lost my comm a ways back."            "I have mine." I popped it out of my ear. It looked intact. I tapped the button, stuck it back in. Not even static.            "Nothing."            "Damn.".........            We continued downhill. Crina had been right. We trudged along the crooked path cut by the river, crossing when it narrowed. It wasn't long before we were out of range of the sirens and lights.            Darkness.            Silence.            Both were refreshing.            Crina led the way, hacking through the foliage. Xan and I stumbled along behind. A good hour passed. None of us spoke much. I felt dizzy, nauseous, exhausted ...            Eventually we reached a clearing.            "Break time." I proclaimed, dropping flat on my back, letting the soft earth break my fall. Crina and Xan joined me.            We lay there taking in the beautiful, crystal clear night sky. And a full moon, apparently, illuminating the field around us.            "Full moon tonight. Amidst everything I’d forgotten."            "So had I," Crina sighed, "Ironic now, I suppose."            "Where is everyone else?" Xan asked absently.            "That's a good question."            I reached into Xan’s cargo pocket, fishing around.            “Feeling frisky,” he joked. I removed my hand, displaying the cigarettes and zippo he’d been holding for me.            “Oh, right,” he laughed as I winked at him.            I lit one. The sensation of smoke filled my lungs.            Crina reached across and slid one from the pack. She didn’t smoke, I didn’t comment. Just flipped open the lighter. I gave them back to Xan, who hadn’t moved since our collapse.            “And yet you still managed to start a fire,” Xan played with my zippo. He took a cig from the pack, now resting on his stomach, and craned his neck to light it.              After a moment.            "Does this mean it's over?" Crina was propped up on her elbows.            "I don't know."            She craned her neck for a better glimpse at the moon.            Xan groaned. "My head is splitting."            I reached out and ran my fingers through his hair.            "My head ... is full of static. The comm!"            I sat up with a jolt. Hand on my earpiece.            Static came over my comm, followed by a faint voice. I couldn't make it out. My ears were still ringing from the blast. I handed the comm to Crina.            "Thought I heard a transmission. See if you have any luck."            Crina put the piece to her ear. Pushing the button in.            "Hello. Anyone hear me? Hello."            I closed my eyes, relaxing on the moist earth. The blades of grass pricked my skin. It was a warm night. A perfect night.            It was not enough.            I had heard a voice over the comm. A voice that sounded like Catch's.


So where can I get my hands on The Endangered?
Direct From Amazon 
Barnes & Noble  

Wait There's More... There's a Giveaway...



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Invisible Illness Awareness Week - 8th to the 14th September

Hi all, This week, the 8thto the 14th September 2014, is Invisible Illness Awareness Week. 
So what is an invisible illness you ask?
Although many people look well from the outside, often smiling and appearing to keep up the appearances of a normal life, on the inside they may be fighting a daily battle just to get through that day. Recently we were once again made aware of the fight people go through with Depression with the sad loss of the great Robin Williams.
So we all can picture the clown with the painted smiling face, whilst all along hiding his depression behind a mask, but what are the other Invisible Illnesses? 

Here's a list of just some of them...
Allergies and Food In-tolerancesRheumatoid ArthritisCancerChronic Fatigue SyndromeChronic MigrainesFibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial PainDepression and Mental IllnessDiabetes and other Blood Sugar IssuesDigestive Disorders (such as; IBS, colitis, Celiac, etc.)Heart ConditionsInfertilityIdiopathic Intracranial HypertensionLupusLyme DiseaseMultiple SclerosisNeurological DiseasesSjogren’s Syndrome

So what’s it like to live with a hidden illness? While doing some research I came across this article, it’s where a woman’s friend persists in asking her what it’s like to have Lupus? – I mean how can you answer such a question, but in the end she does it in such a way that is absolutely brilliant, and this has now become known as The Spoon Theory. And although it is primary about Lupus, it describes how most, if not all those who suffer with an Invisible Illness feel.  The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino

For more information about Invisible Illness Awareness, tips, advice, help, and a fantastic looking free eBook 263 ways to do more than ‘just get by’ visit  Invisible Illness Awareness Week

One last thing that caught my eye, that I thought was very apt for this piece


All the best, and remember the absolute best and most powerful thing you can ever say to someone with a chronic or invisible illness is -   I believe you.


Daniel Kaye x

My Husband's Sin Book Launch Day

  My Husband’s Sin is the début novel from Mary T Bradford. She is an Irish author, married and mother of four children. She has been writing short stories for many years with which she has enjoyed publishing success in Ireland and abroad. While working on a story it happened that the story kept getting longer and the word count continued to climb, resulting with Mary having her novel.  
My Husband’s Sin is published by Tirgearr Publishing at tirgearrpublishing.com 
Recently Mary has dipped into play-writing and one of her plays was shortlisted in the Claremorris Fringe Festival in April of this year and was performed by the Half A Breakfast Theatre Group. Another of her plays had a Staged Reading in July at Friar’s Gate Theatre in Kilmallock, Limerick in Ireland. Her short story collection, A Baker’s Dozen, is also available on Amazon.com.When not writing, Mary enjoys crafts. In particular, she enjoys crochet and cross-stitch and catching up on her reading from the stack of books on her bedside locker. 




I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Mary to my blog and wish her all the best with the launch of  My Husband's Sin. I was lucky enough to read an early draft of this and even in those early days knew what a gem this was going to turn out to be. Now that it's all polished up and on the shelf, I can't wait to read the finished copy - all the best with it, Mary x.
DK: So Mary, tell us what is My Husband’s Sin all about?
MB: My début novel is centred about the Taylor family. Lacey, the youngest of the family is dealt a horrible blow at the reading of her mother’s will. She is devastated and the knock on affect on her three siblings shakes the family unit. Lacey has questions that need answering and at one stage she must leave Ireland to search for some of the answers. Will the Taylor’s come together and unite or do they fall apart and remain so? 
DK: What are the main themes in your book?
MB: In my novel, My Husband’s Sin , there are a few themes but the main one is loss. Losing a parent or indeed any family member is a difficult time for everyone concerned. Lacey Taylor, suffers loss greater than the others when after her mother Lillian’s funeral, a letter she is given destroys her life further. She now suffers betrayal as well. But it only takes a small crack to appear in a family for it all to come crumbling down 
DK: If you were casting for the screen version of My Husband’s Sin , who would you choose for the leading roles? 
MB: I would love the young actress, Amanda Seyfried, play the part of Lacey in my debut novel. The solicitor, Mr. Philip Sherman, played by Jeff Bridges, then Sally by Michelle Pfeiffer and finally Robert, by Jason Stratham. The other characters, Willow and Cora I have no idea. 
DK: Tell us about a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about?
MB: I enjoy public speaking. I have my CC (Competent Communicator) from Toastmasters International and I started the advanced manuals. I also represented my local club Fáilte Toastmasters in competitions. Unfortunately, I no longer have the time to participate but I may go back to it another time.  
DK: What are you currently working on?
MB: I have my fingers worn to the bone at present because I have three projects on the go. Yes I am a nut to take it all on. I am writing my second novel which is totally different from My Husband’s Sin ; it is not even in the same genre. It is a good V evil story, a priest who is sent to do battle with the devil and it all takes place inside a locked room.  So who wins? That is a question I have not yet answered LOL.
I am also writing a western novella for a group that I am involved in. The group are called Writers of the West, it is an exciting project. Finally, I am busy seeking a home for a play I have ready for production. 
DK: What would your perfect day be?
MB: A perfect day, let me think, it would be warm, not too hot, by the sea, with a picnic of cold meats/ white wine/salads. A book of course and would I want company? Well if, Kevin Costner or Charles Bronson were available, or maybe Michael Bublé, he could serenade me right? 

You can find out more about Mary here on her social media links...
Blog Tirgearr Publishing Author Page
Twitter Facebook Author Page




A Brief Excerpt

 JULY Lacey fled the Sherman and Jones Solicitors’ office in turmoil, only pausing to catch her breath before descending the cold solid steps. The appalling words kept ringing in her ears. How the bloody hell could a mother do this to her child? A bitch, that’s what she was. Lacey should have trusted her instinct all through the years.
The pleasant July day was lost on her. Without thinking further, she sought solace in the bar further down the street. In the dimly-lit pub she was the only woman.
Lacey Turner didn’t drink alcohol this early, but placed in front of her now was a double vodka with bitter lemon. Taking the glass in her trembling hand, she drank swiftly. The sour liquid made her shake her head. God, it was unpleasant. In one corner, two elderly men were sipping their stouts. Another up at the bar was reading the day’s paper.
The barman came over to where she sat and smiled. “A tough morning so far then?” He wiped down the glass-topped table and replaced some beer mats with fresh un-tattered ones.
Lacey didn’t reply. She couldn’t. The shock of this morning’s events was still gripping her tight. Christ, her life had been turned upside down in the stroke of a pen. Her hands still shook.
Looking the barman up and down, she acknowledged he was kind of cute. If times were different, she might even flirt with him; his tight black t-shirt groaned across his chest, but she didn’t have time to daydream. Reality had her gripped in its cold heartless hand.
“Can I have another?” Lacey called out to the bar attendant as he moved on to wiping down other tables. He nodded and went to the bar to get her fresh drink.
Her mind was swimming with horrible thoughts of her mother. Dear Lord, she mustn’t think like that any more. She was Lillian, not Mother. Where do you start to pick up the pieces of your life after something like that? Her mobile phone rang: it was Sally. Lacey snapped at it, turning it off in one quick touch. Bloody family. Her bloody family!
The fresh glass was placed in front of her. He seemed to linger for a moment, waiting for Lacey to make eye contact. She really did not want his company but he wasn’t going anywhere, judging by his stance before her. She looked up at him. Yep, definitely cute.
“You could try talking. This will only lead to a headache and misery.” The guy smiled encouragingly, but all she did was stare back at him, confusion and anger in her eyes. Throwing a twenty on the table, she stood up and paused.
“Maybe misery is what I deserve.”
Her taupe Guess handbag and caramel jacket hung on the chair. She shoved the bag onto her shoulder, took her jacket, and walked out. Kind, attractive barmen were not what she wanted. She desired space and freedom to take in and assimilate the horrible rotten words that she’d heard today. Who would believe it? Who would have thought when she’d wakened this morning at seven, that five hours later her life would have crashed down around her? With her mind troubled, she wandered without direction through the busy streets.
Lacey’s world had stopped, yet around her cars passed by beeping their irritation with the slow traffic, people pushed and chatted without a concern for the young woman in their midst. She strolled along, not fully noticing life around her. Those words, those poisonous words, kept swirling in her mind. The look of horror on her siblings’ faces would be etched on her memory forever. She couldn’t face them right now. What must they think of her?
“Watch it.” The woman grunted at Lacey.
“Sorry.” Lacey didn’t know what she was apologising for, but it startled her into realising she needed to get home. It would be safe there.

Main Purchasing Link 
. Well that's it folks, I hope you'll enjoy My Husband's Sin, keep an eye out on Mary's links I have it on good authority she's planning on doing a few give-aways in the not so distant future. 

All the best,Daniel Kaye x

A Review of Find my Baby by Mitch Lavender.

I’d been looking forward to this and I have to say it did not disappoint. I don’t know if Lavender pulled from personal experience, or from extensive research, but the background information that is critical in this novel was impressive. Told from Zachary Foxborne’s point of view, this is a story of a couple desperate to have a child of their own, and after years of trying they decide to give a child in Ukraine a chance of adoption. But as their dreams of becoming parents are about to become true, something from Zacary’s past catches up with him.My personal rating for this is 4.5/5. I thought Mitch Lavender superbly crafted this novel and like a snowball slowly rolling down the hill gaining both momentum and mass, this story pulled you in. Would I recommend it? Definitely. 
Available From:Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Smashwords  Lulu Marketplace
I've also heard that there are plans for Lavender’s second release, Life in Sixty-Four Square Feet, in early 2015, I’ll be looking out for it.    

Why Write A Book If You Won't Promote It?

Why Write A Book If You Won't Promote It? People write books and a chunk of them don’t get published—but many do. Of those that get published, only a small percentage are marketed and promoted in a substantial way. A lack of vision, knowledge, resources or courage impacts which books are promoted and marketed well. I often wonder why people go through the effort or expense to write and publish a book, only to let it die a quiet death because there was little or no marketing to support it. If I can impart this nugget of wisdom, it’s this: You should promote and market your book, even if you have a publisher, even if you have to pay for it. Otherwise, there’s a great chance your book will fail or under sell, leaving you with a smaller brand, a tinier circle of influence in the world of ideas, and a greater chance your next book won’t succeed—if it even gets published. 


Read more of this excellent article by Brian Feinblum at Book Marketing Buzz Blog 

Find My Baby by Mitch Lavender (Launch Day)

Today we see the launch of Find My Baby , from Mitch Lavender.
So I hear you ask, who is this Mitch Lavender? 
Over the last few years I’ve read a number Mitch’s short stories in various anthologies and work he has put together, and have always admired his work, and now I can’t help but feel excited that he’s released his first novel. I am a regular visitor to his blog Life in 64 Square Feet which is always entertaining, interesting, and informative. And to be honest, I like his style, his writing has always held an appeal for me, and I can’t wait to start reading Find My Baby.
You can learn more about Mitch here Amazon Author Page 

So what is, Find My Baby all about?




 
Zachary and Lucy Foxborne have everything they want except a child. As they begin navigating the legal and bureaucratic maze of international adoption from Ukraine, they could not imagine their newly adopted child would be held for ransom by a brilliant and demented hacker, bent on revenge and even darker motives. Finding their baby could cost them everything.



Wow this sounds powerful, I want it, and I want it now you say!
Well lucky you, like I said earlier, today July 1st is the official launch day, and below are the links to where you can get it.
Direct From Amazon.com 
Amazon.co.uk 
Buy From Smashwords 
Lulu Marketplace 

I can’t wait to read my copy - I’ll be posting a review as soon as I do.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy yours.

All the best,Daniel Kaye x

A brief excerpt from my vampire novel I, Vladimir, and an interesting related article.

A Brief Excerpt From I, Vladimir...

The year was 1941 and war raged across Europe. Humans now traveled great distances to wage war on one another. This latest conflict had taken on a new face, one of evil. One man had taken a sign of peace and placed it on a blood colored flag, which his troops now followed into battle. Like locusts, they consumed everything in their path and invaded far off lands with little resistance.

I, Vladimir - Due for release from Gentry Publishing, Fall 2014



 Reader Scott from Vermont wrote to ask, “Why did the Nazis adopt the ancient sacred symbol of the swastika as their emblem?”

 Why Did The Nazis Hijack the Swastika?

My Writing Process Blog Hop

Today is my day on #MyWritingProcess Blog Tour, where writers and authors answer questions about their writing processes. I was invited to take part in this by a great writing friend of mine Lisa Terry, who posted about her work last week Lisa's Blog Post She is an fantastic writer that I learned a lot from about editing, take a look at her writing process too, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.


Before telling you my writing process, I thought I'll fill you in on with what #MyWritingProcess means:
“We writers share these things, but informally during workshops and at conferences (and, for a handful of established writers, in printed interviews), but not so much through our open-forum blogs. With the hashtag #MyWritingProcess, you can learn how writers all over the world answer the same four questions. How long it takes one to write a novel, why romance is a fitting genre for another, how one’s playlist grows as the draft grows, why one’s poems are often sparked by distress over news headlines or oddball facts learned on Facebook…”     
What am I working on? I’m currently working on a couple of projects at the moment, the first I, Vladimir is in its final editing stages and is due for release later this year from Gentry Publishing. I’m also working on the second in the series, Anonymous Jack . The main vampire characters from I, Vladimir revisit us in this follow on so it is more of a spin off than a sequel. Anonymous Jack is Arminius’ story of how he was a promising medical student who is lured into a dark alleyway where he is attacked by the woman who led him there. She turns him into a creature of the night but when something proves not quite right with Arminius, he is brought to meet the elders of the clan. Instead of learning why he is different from his new kind, he goes out in search of prey alone, and soon becomes history’s most notorious serial killer.
How does my work differ from others of its genre? This is quite a difficult question to answer. I like to blend a mixture of both fact and fiction in all of my writing. Even though I write fiction, in both of my novels I have used historical facts, dates and events that I hope will bring a sense of reality to the reader. I’ll leave this question with a quote which was written by one of the earlier readers during the working process of I, Vladimir which I hope helps answer it – "Historically, this is minutely documented, making it more realistic than fantasy."
Why do I write what I do? They always say write what you enjoy reading - I have always loved the horror genre, and I owe it all to James Herbert. Ever since I picked up The Rats many years ago, since then I have read his entire collection, some more than a few times. Although my two novels would not quite fall into that category, there’s definitely enough blood and gore to keep the most blood thirsty of you entertained.After a fantastic writing career he was made the Grand Master of Horror by the World of Horror Convention in 2010, but sadly James passed away in 2013.
How does my writing process work? Before I answer this question I’ll start with a bit of advice… Take each bit of advice you hear with a pinch of salt… I know, talk about a contradiction. What I mean by this is… that you have to find what works for you as a writer.There are all sorts of writers out there. There are the planners and the plotters, who have every single detail written down before they even start. They know what each character looks like, what they wear, they even know what happens in each chapter as the story progresses. Or there are those who fly by the seats of their pants and just see where their pens or keyboards take them with little or no planning at all.I am of the latter. I know the beginning and the end, that’s it! I begin to write, I enjoy the journey and I research as I go. I’m a real believer of the bum in seat and write approach, get that first draft written, and edit it later. I once heard an author give a talk about his writing and he described it as like being on a tightrope. He would always write the first and last chapter first, he did say he rarely used them in the end, and then he would navigate between those two points. I think this is the closest description I’ve heard to my own writing process, but I wouldn’t go as far as writing a first and last chapter before.
Thank you for reading this brief look into my writing process and I hope you enjoyed it, but before you go it is my turn to pass the challenge on. 

Firstly I’d like to introduce one of my longest writing friends, Mary T Bradford. Mary is a great writer who I am luckily enough to meet up with most mornings at our local library where we work away, well until the tea and coffee arrives anyway. Over the years I’ve learned loads from Mary, so I know you’re going to enjoy reading her blog and her writing process which she’ll post next Monday. For now here’s a short bio about her… Mary T Bradford is from county Cork, married and mother of four children. She has seen her work in various magazines, newspapers and anthologies both in Ireland and abroad. It was because of this success that, Mary took the plunge and self-published her first collection titled, A Baker’s Dozen (2012), 13 stories covering the ups and downs of life. It is available in both print and e-book from Amazon and other book sites. When one of her stories kept growing, it was then she realised this was her first novel emerging. Tirgearr Publishing in Ireland picked it up and Mary signed her first contract earlier this year. Her novel titled My Husbands Sin is due out on July1st 2014. Not content with all this, Mary has dipped in to writing plays and seen her work short-listed and performed on stage.Click This Link To Read Mary's Blog.
Next up is Marie O’ Halloran. Marie is another great friend of mine who meets both Mary and myself in the library when her work permits. She is newer to writing but don’t let that fool you, her enthusiasm and drive is matched by no one. She has had fantastic success with her poetry, and is currently working hard on her novel. I’ll let her tell you more…
 Marie O’Halloran lives in Co. Cork, Ireland.  She writes novels, poetry, short stories and plays. A number of her poems have been commended and published. She was also part of the program of readers at the 2013 Fermoy International Poetry Festival. Her short stories have been commended and published also. She was proud to contribute to and be involved in the editing and production of a collection of award winning stories entitled ‘Just Because’.  She has completed her first novel, a psychological thriller which is under consideration and is working on her second a crime thriller. Click This Link To Read Marie's Blog.

Thanks for stopping by,

All the best,Daniel Kaye x

Gilded Destiny by Nola Sarina plus an exciting Rafflecopter Giveaway.

Hi all,
Back in 2013 I was delighted to be asked to do a review by the wonderful Nola Sarina on her novella, Gilded Destiny. Nola is represented by Michelle Johnson of Inklings Literary Agency so I was honoured to be asked, you can read my review of it here:  My Review of Gilded Destiny by Nola Sarina 


 Purchase Gilded Destiny Here Directly From Amazon. 




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Blurb: A deadly, alluring stranger. The consequences of loving a doomed immortal. The steamy hot, heart-wrenchingly emotional, edge-of-your-seat first Vesper novella Gilded Destiny is dark fantasy romance like you've never seen it before.
A woman's memory returns when she falls in love with the monster who took it from her.
Calli tattoos her skin to fill the holes in her memory, thanks to an accident that left her mind damaged and empty. But a nasty encounter with a fired employee leaves her in the arms of her unlikely savior: Nycholas, a predatory, serpentine Vesper on the run from his brutal master.
Nycholas’ clandestine world holds the secrets to mankind’s origin and survival… but he only wants one thing before his time is up: a few colorful nights with Calli, the fragile, tattooed, human woman he pursued and saved.The more Calli learns about Nycholas, the more her own darkened memories return to her. Despite her haunted past, she loses herself to passion and desire with her immortal captor.
Now, Calli must overcome the demons of her past, or allow Nycholas to kiss her memories away and spare her the trauma of loving a doomed immortal. But each choice comes with dire consequences – some that endanger not only herself, but her family as well.




Author Bio: Nola Sarina is a paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and erotica author from Alberta, Canada. She Nola will also be at RTCon in New Orleans this month. Stalk her down and say hi for some free swag - bookmarks and bracelets!
loves weaving romances that leave you breathless and challenge typical relationships with the most mind-blowing twists.

Represented by Michelle Johnson of Inklings Literary Agency, Nola is the author of the spicy hot dark fantasy Vesper series. Taking vampires to a whole new level, the Vespers in Gilded Destiny & Jaded Touch live dangerously sexy lives in a harsh world of the balance between mortals and immortals.

Nola is also the co-author of Wild Hyacinthe and THE CORE with friend Emily Faith. Wild Hyacinthe portrays sexy, alpha hero from a unique perspective: an incubus who can't help but kill, while THE CORE invites every reader to throw stereotypes out the window, strip down, and get dirty.IGNITE, the first in this series, is always FREE on most venues.   SNEAK PEEK free chapters of all Nola's works are available on her website! sneak-a-peek-free-excerpts
Be sure to subscribe to her email contact list for newsletters, exclusive content and to get the latest on all Nola Sarina titles before anyone else: email newsletter
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