Lynn Hallbrooks's Blog, page 11

#TeamMysteryThriller 12-13 November 2016 #99cent USD Sale

TeamMysteryThriller November 2016 So November is here and some places have more than a little nip in the air. November also seems to be a busy month at least in the United States. There is National Authors Day, National Candy Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving to name a few. 

Team Mystery Thriller is full of authors, some write sweet mysteries and others write about veterans. I've not read a book yet that doesn't in some way give thanks to those that made their writing possible as well as appreciation to those who read it.

​Why do we do what we do, in part for money but also to edify and entertain our audience. We hope to make you love, hate, laugh, cry, or even scream at a character. There is a lot of love, passion, and anguish that goes into each book. So for a mere 99 cents USD, I believe you and those you bring to the event are getting a bargain. And I'm not just saying that because that woman has a gun to my head, I really mean it. 

So come and see what Team Mystery Thriller has brought to the table this November. Maybe you can even take away a gift or two for some lover of mystery/thrillers - who knows what might be on their Amazon Wishlist. 

  http://reneepawlish.com/promo/

Have a great one,

Lynn Hallbrooks
author/founder Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC
http://cswcllc.weebly.com/

Showcasing #Authors who are #USMilitary #Veterans on #VeteransDay2016

Lazy Saturday Reads presents U.S. veterans who are also authors As many of you know, David and I are U.S. military veterans.  For those that are new to our blog or otherwise unaware, David was in the U.S. Navy and I was in the U.S. Air Force. So not coincidentally, our Call Sign: Wrecking Crew series features U.S. military veterans from the various armed services. 

Over the past 5+ years, we have met a number of authors who are also veterans. One of whom, I recently met while working with Team Mystery Thriller. His name is Stuart J. Whitmore and he is a fellow U.S. Air Force veteran and author. Stuart went on to create Lazy Saturday Reads. Over the past few months he has had theme promotions for fellow authors. For the month of November, in honor of Veterans' Day, he has invited U.S. military veterans who are also authors to promote their works. Some have answered the call and will be showcased on Lazy Saturday Reads on Friday, 11 November 2016 (US time) for one day only. 

I hope you will join Stuart in supporting and honoring his fellow veterans/authors by visiting his website, sharing the promotion with others, and/or purchasing some books. Here's the link: http://www.lazysaturdayreads.com/prom...

We look forward to seeing you there.

As an added bonus I have included an air show performed at Mather AFB in 2015 that was posted by my friend Charley Langer. It puts me in mind of my Air Force days. Hope you enjoy it. If you'd like to thank Charley for posting it, you can visit his YouTube site:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGpbyLCzvSjGFIDpQhHq1lA   or scroll through his crowdfunding site and purchase a gift for a person who loves smooth jazz music and support his latest album.   https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/charley-langer-happy-hour-jazz#/updates

Happy Veterans' Day to veterans of all services. Thank you to all who are currently serving in the U.S. military at home or around the globe.  

Lynn Hallbrooks
David McKoy
Authors/Founders Call Sign Wrecking Crew LLC
​ http://cswcllc.weebly.com/

#Art - #Music & #Writing

Charley Langer Smooth Jazz Musician I believe there are many forms of art. Included among them are music and writing. I notice that many authors write with music in the background. I've been known to do the same. One of my favorite musical artists to listen to while writing is Charley Langer.

I 'met' Charley online over 4 years ago and joined his fan club. As a result I am updated on what is going on with him and some of his fellow musicians. Recently, I learned that Charley has completed the music for his latest album. He is now looking for help with the financial side so he can bring his music to the public. As a fellow creative artist (writer) I understand this is a necessary part of the business. I felt this urge to help spread the word about his project.

Charley is utilizing IndieGoGo crowdfunding program to garner financial support (see link below). If you have a book you are planning to write after the first of the year and need some happy music to write to, this will be the perfect album. If you know someone who loves jazz music then share this post, the IndieGoGo link, or Charley's social media links. As you scroll down the IndieGoGo link, you'll see the various deals that are available to contributors to his campaign. If you follow him on Facebook and Twitter, you may learn a thing or two about him and his fellow musicians. If you visit Charley's website, you can sign up to be a fan and learn more about his future projects as well as see where else he can be seen and/or heard.  All and all a great deal for those who love music. 

Charley Langer on IndieGoGo:  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/charley-langer-happy-hour-jazz#/

Charley Langer on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LangerMusic

Charley Langer on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/charleylanger

Charley Langer's Website:  http://charleylanger.com/

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
lover and supporter of music/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC
http://cswcllc.weebly.com/

Treat Yourself to Something from #TeamMysteryThriller

Treat Yourself to Something from #TeamMysteryThriller It is nearing Trick or Treat time. So why not treat yourself to something from Team Mystery Thriller. Some of our authors even have some paranormal stories to share with you. The best part is that all it costs is the time for you to explore the books via Renee Pawlish's site:   http://reneepawlish.com/promo/   and then download them to your device. 

That's right folks, these treats are free - just like how the little trick-or-treaters will see that candy and other goodies you'll be handing out it a couple weeks time - provided you participate in this age-old tradition. If you don't that's cool, you can be curled up with a new read and a cup of hot cocoa or something stronger to take the chill off your bones.

Here's hoping you have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
David McKoy
founders/authors Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

Technology is Wonderful... When it Works

Technology is Wonderful... When it Works
Since no one enjoys excuses, I'll stick with the facts. Technology is wonderful... when it works. When it doesn't work, business does not go as usual. You add in severe headaches, visits to the doctor, and few other unexpected incidents, you have my life for the past month.  

The internet service industry in my small rural area has been undergoing some changes. Finally, things have been upgraded and my friend's house has been installed with a better service that should not be experiencing the same issues that have been plaguing us the past few months. This is why no one has seen me online for a few weeks. Anyone who has worked with technology knows that this does not mean that nothing will go wrong, so anyone who knows a good prayer for keeping the internet up and running, please feel free to pray it. 

This break from the 'net would have been a boon to my writing except that I've had such severe headaches that I could barely see. I think that the doctor, nurses, pharmacists, and I now have this under control. Still any prayers would be welcomed.  

There have been a few incidents that have kept me away from writing but now I honestly believe that things are back under control. After working through email and social media, I hope to be back on track with the short stories.  Plus I did start on another novel that might turn out to be a Creative Non Fiction or possibly Fiction based on Real Life. We'll see.

Here's hoping that life and technology has treated everyone well and y'all are having a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
author/founder Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC 

#Reading - #Writing & #Inspiration

I was going to rant about something else but I decided that my opinion is skewed by my different perspective on the subject. 

Instead, I decided I would just simply state that in my humble opinion, a really good author should start out as an observant reader. By that I mean, take away parts of books that you enjoy and combine them into a story that you'd love to read.  

The Wrecking Crew series began as a story that David McKoy wanted to see written. I basically helped him with the wording. Granted these words may not be something that other people want to see. Not everyone is into political intrigue, the Founding Fathers, or even the military. I understand if a person who has read any of our books discovers they do not like the genre. That's their right just as it is for others to enjoy our books.

It is possible that someone will be inspired by what David and I wrote together. That person or those people may even go on to write a bestseller. To my mind, it would make all the time spent reading, researching, and writing  - worth it.

Anyone who is interested in books about political intrigue (including corruption), Founding Fathers, and the military - may wish to check out the series. You can click on the images below and be taken directly to the Amazon US location or you can click on the paragraph icon and visit the other pages of this website which has the global links.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
David McKoy
Fellow Founders and Authors at Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

Ready for Another #TeamMysteryThriller Free-for-all?

Created by a Team Mystery Thriller Member for August 2016 Since I’ve been involved with Renee Pawlish’s group of fellow mystery/thriller authors, aka ‘Team Mystery Thriller’, I’ve become a fan of many of their works. As I type this, I’m working my way through the free reads from June. Now here it is August, and the group is sharing another stack of free books. I hope you will join me in discovering what these authors have to share with the rest of us. If what’s on here is anything like what I’ve read already, the electronic waves will be sizzling hot with downloads.

Time is limited, so please visit here to get these books for free.:  http://reneepawlish.com/promo/

Also be sure to let your friends and/or family that love mysteries and thrillers know about this great event as well. If you, your family, or friends, are outside the U.S, then please make sure the price is free before downloading. 

Many thanks for stopping by and here’s hoping you are having a great one!
 
Lynn Hallbrooks
Author/Founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC
http://cswcllc.weebly.com/

#TeamMysteryThriller Strikes Again!

Banner created by a #TeamMysteryThriller member Yes, that's right folks, #TeamMysteryThriller Strikes again, this time with boxed sets. Some members have box sets available for the limited time offer of 99 cents USD (or equivalent in other countries). Why not check them out on Renee Pawlish’s site: http://reneepawlish.com/promo/
Hurry: Final hours are on 17 July 2016 U.S. Pacific time.

Have a great one!

​Lynn Hallbrooks

#BookReview of AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun by @AuthorRJBelle

AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun by R. J. Belle Happy Fourth of July weekend. I hope my fellow Americans will join me in taking a moment to reflect on those who sacrificed life and limb to gain the freedom which we will be celebrating. 

AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun by R. J. Belle is a book that recognizes the sacrifices made by several Marines. It also shares their stories and that of an organization that formed in order to help military members transition from active duty to civilian life. In the first half of the book, Ms. Belle mentions the Vietnam era veterans who returned home to make do on their own.  Many of them became homeless and others did what they could to help prevent future veterans from facing the same reality.

Back in 2006, I read Lucky Enough by Eddie R. Beesley. His story shared the same truths as Ms. Belle mentioned not only about the plight of the Vietnam era veterans but all men facing life without limbs. There were many similarities between the stories in AFTER... and Lucky Enough. The desire to serve, the love of fellow Marines as brothers, the love of family, and how random acts of kindness change an awful situation into one that was a little more tolerable.

I agree with Ms. Belle that personal ideology should be set aside. These men did what they felt called to do. These Marines did not share their stories for pity, but to honor the fallen and to raise awareness of the needs of their brothers and sisters in similar situations.

I have to admit that I shed many tears for these brave men as I read what they went through. I suppose it was empathy mixed with gratitude not only for their physical and mental sacrifices but also for their giving spirit.

Ms. Belle shared so much that I may not be doing it justice. I highly recommend you read the book for yourself. Just so you know 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun will benefit Warrior Foundation ~ Freedom Station which is the organization/program the book is about.  

To learn more about R. J. Belle and where to connect with her please visit her website. 

#BookReview of Dead Lawyers Don't Lie by @MarkNolan

A Jake Wolfe Novel: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie I consider Mark Nolan's Jake Wolfe Novel: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie to be a mixture of genres. You have a combo Political/International Intrigue alongside Police Procedural. There is also a sprinkle of Military/War, a dash of Family Drama, and sliver of Romance blended in for good measure.

Jake Wolfe became an investigative photojournalist after leaving active duty service with the US Marines. So when he witnesses the demise of an attorney, his instincts cause him to look for the source and call for back-up. This comes in the form of Jake's BFF, Marine brother, and San Francisco Police Detective Terrell Hayes. This is the beginning of the chase to find the person dubbed the 'attorney assassin'. 

As the reader learns more about Jake, they discover that among other things, he worked with military war dogs. Jake's love of dogs shines through the pages especially after he is given the opportunity to 'adopt' Cody. The reader is privy to the bonding process from both Jake and Cody's viewpoints. 

There is a whole lot more going on and there will be parts of the book that might make you laugh, cry, cheer, and jeer. Also be forewarned that it has violence, adult language, and sexual situations. If I haven't scared you off, then I hope you'll click on the image and be whisked away to pick up your copy of this great book. 

Have a great one!

​Lynn Hallbrooks