Lynn Hallbrooks's Blog, page 16

Smashwords

I don't believe Smashwords is a household name like Amazon or Barnes and Noble but it should be. They give buyers an opportunity to download to Kindle, nook, Sony, Diesel, Apple, and Kobo devices. You can even buy the book once and download it to several different devices.
Smashwords logo
Smashwords has awesome deals especially during the month of July and one week in March. Authors can sell their books for a discount or totally free while availing themselves of monetary sales from other vendors. 
If you are an author and have heard horror stories like it's hard to get on board. That can be true. It is difficult but not impossible, you just have to play by their rules. Once you do, your book is available for multiple devices.
If you're a reader, I highly recommend you go there for the awesome deals on multiple genres. Now is a great time to go there because there are so many FREE books.
In case you are wondering, yes Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) and Many Is the Dream are both on there. Coming soon will be Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Wings of Eagles) which picks up where Storm Warning left off. Hint, hint, if you've wanted to get Storm Warning now is the time and the price. You'll definitely need to read it before Wings of Eagles.
Another great thing about Smashwords is they support Operation eBook Drop for our troops overseas. We are participating members of that wonderful organization as well. 
Hope I've helped make your day a little better. Have a great one!
Lynn Hallbrooksco-author to David McKoyco-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

Breaking free

I'm coming out of my cocoon. I've been wrapped up inside my book cocoon working my way out by type -retype - think - rethink and run through it all over again.  I finally broke through late last night. Right now Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Wings Of Eagles) is being beta - tested. 
Many thanks to Jennifer Lockstedt and Justin Woods for all their hard work on our cover art.  David feels it is a great representation of what's inside the book.  Cover Art 

Now that you've gotten a preview of the cover, I'll share the synopsis with you.
Short version Will the warnings be heeded, so the fearless Eagles can triumph over Evil? Or will Evil win this round? Longer version Recognizing that evil knows no bounds, Eagle Protective Service Incorporated, an elite company, employs and trains members to protect or destroy. They do whatever is necessary to get the job done. Call Sign: Wrecking Crew is an integral part of this company. They put their unique talents to excellent use. When put to the test, will their best efforts be enough? Or will Pandemonium reign supreme? With the first book, I lived alone and did the best with what I knew then. I've learned so much over the last couple years from fellow authors and many different blogs.  But now that I live with a very active family, I  understand why so many authors go to a remote location when writing. When you have real life going on all around you it is hard to concrete and put forth your best effort. Even putting myself on a social media hiatus didn't stop daily living from interfering.  I also understand why famous authors hire publicists to run their social media. If they didn't we might not ever see another book come from them.  The next step of the book process is to take what the beta reader sends me and incorporate as much as possible. We want this book to be as high of quality as we can make it. As it is, I think I've vastly improved from the first book.  However, I'll let you be the judge of that when it comes available.  For now I'll try to catch up on social media in between doing my daily chores. 
Have a great one,
Lynn Hallbrooks co-author to David McKoy co-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

I Love Indie Authors

I really do love independent authors because I never know what to expect. I'm serious there is a lot of talent and imagination out there. Don't get me wrong I also love reading my favorite authors who are traditionally published as well. It's just that in the last couple of years I've read more indie than non indie authors. 

This may stem from the fact that I'm a poor, but thankfully not starving, indie author myself. I freely admit that I do get free books whenever possible.  I do fully intend to write reviews on all that I have read and will read as soon as I possibly can. That being said, whenever I get a gift card now, instead of going for the more expensive traditionally published authors, I prefer to support my fellow indie authors. 

I've read books by indie authors that have made me laugh, cry, mad, and/or sad in all the right places. There have even been  books where I stayed up almost all night reading. In the process I've learned that there is no really wrong way to tell a story. On the other hand, formatting issues including multiple typos or incorrect word use etc. are very distracting to me as a reader. I'm sure it is true for other readers as well.  So if you, the indie author, discover that you have formatting issues then be kind, fix the issues, and then update it on Smashwords or Amazon.  

Let me tell you what I know about updating on Amazon from experience both as an author and a reader. As an author, when I've updated our book, I make sure to let them know. They send me an e-mail saying that they will review the update. If they deem it major changes, they'll push out updates to all customers who bought the problematic one. Now as a reader, I'll get an e-mail, (maybe) to tell me about the updates. E-mail or not, all I have to do is go to Manage My Kindle and follow the simple instructions for Updates. If you don't know already you can access Manage My Kindle by going to Your Account (under your name) on the upper right hand side when signed into Amazon. 

One more thing I've recently discovered, the Kindle version of our book does have the Tweet that you've read... and Rate... this book. That makes me think that Amazon does that with all the books processed by them. What I don't know is if it goes in their data banks or only on twitter. Many moons ago when I discovered that other books had this option, I began to use it. It serves a three-fold purpose, one to let the author know that I've read their works and how I felt about it. Two, I let others know about a book they may not have known about. Three, I can access it to remember when I finished the books. You know some review places like to know that information. 

Did I mention I love indie authors! Because of this I love to help them too. Hope I've been of help to someone today.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
author of the Short Story, Many Is The Dream
co-author of the Call Sign: Wrecking Crew series with David McKoy
co-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew LLC

Have eBook Will Travel

For those that may have missed it, I broke my thumb back in December. It was a silly accident with long term negative consequences including many trips to the VA Medical Center. There was a benefit to this though.

Amazon Kindle Keyboard 3G Let me back up a minute to explain. June 2012, several generous people got together and sent me a Kindle for my birthday. I love it very much. It contains over 400 books, mainly independent authors. I learned about the books and some great bargains through some form of social media. 

As you can see, Kindles are lightweight, and great when you have a cast on your hand. It has dual page controls which means you can flip from either your left or right thumb. Considering my right thumb was incapacitated for a while that was a wonderful thing. 

An eBook means you don't have to lug around several books in case you finish your current one. This is very helpful, especially on the long train rides to and from the VA. It meant when I finished one body of work, I could quickly switch to another. Let me tell you something, that's very convenient when you have to wait over an hour for an x-ray or to see the doctor. There were times when I had nothing protecting my thumb and thus it was difficult for me to lift heavy things.

The books oftentimes helped to transport me to other places watching other people in more desperate situations than my own. When reality came back into focus, I counted my blessings instead of tears. 

The downside was, I didn't always have time to do my book reviews before starting another book. Yesterday, I finally caught up with all my reviews on Goodreads. That was when I noticed that Smashwords was having their annual Read An eBook Week.  I took a moment and put Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) in the mix. Later on, I got some great bargains for myself and my Godson. 

So fellow readers, if you have an e Reader that could use a few more books, please take a moment to check out Smashwords and see if you can help change the world around you. 

For my fellow authors, if your book is on Smashwords, and you haven't already done so, go to the Read an eBook section and follow the instructions for authors on the left hand side. A few clicks and a decision later, your book can be available to transport people to your world. 
Have a great one!
Lynn Hallbrooksco-author of Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)co-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

A Big Thank You

Thank You via Adobe IllustratorI wanted to take a few moments to show my appreciation to the many people who have crossed my path this past couple of years.

First and foremost, a Big Thank You to the loyal followers of this blog and other Social Media outlets. Without your support, I probably would have folded up my proverbial tent a long time ago. 

I believe I've said this before but I will say it again, Independent Authors are a special group of people. They know the value of working together for a common goal - entertaining and/or enlightening their readers. It takes teamwork to accomplish this goal.  Many of them make an effort to help their fellow authors out in whatever way they can. Some have given me/us a gentle nudge in the right direction. You know who you are... Thank You so much.  

Others have shared David and I with their followers this past year or so. I've been wanting to post a list of them on here and now seemed like the best time to show my appreciation. Thank you so much: 


Tim Greaton
Angelica Harris along with Siggy Buckley
Van Heerling
Tracy James Jones
Richard Stephenson
Belinda Witzenhausen
Karen Wodke
Violet Yates
If for some reason you've missed these interviews or guest blogs, then please feel free to visit (click on) them, provided you get a rare few moments. ;)  I've also posted these links on the guest page of our website.
That reminds me, I'm very grateful for the lessons I learned at the Art Institute of Dallas. They've helped me have a foundation necessary for some of the marketing things I do. 
I'm especially grateful to my friends that I live with. They provide me with a roof over my head; plenty of chaos; life lessons; and love on a daily basis. They have adopted me into their lives for better or worse. 
As most of my loyal followers know, David was the one that encouraged me to write. We are quickly coming up on two years being published. So even though, I came into this kicking and screaming at times, I'm glad Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) was published.  We've had some publishing adventures but we've also made a lot of great friends too.  
Thanks David, my adopted family, and all of my friends for all you do.  
Hope everyone has a Grateful one!
Lynn Hallbrooksco-author to David McKoyco-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

To Write A Wrong Was No Easy Day

Hardcover version of No Easy Day...

When you first open up the book, No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden by Mark Owen, and read the Author's Note, you learn the reasons why Mr. Owen wrote the book in the first place. It is interesting to note that a book read in Junior High School influenced Mr. Owen to want to join the Navy SEALs. Does this mean that books have power? 
Books, in and of themselves, do not have any powers. The power is in the words that are written. Do they inspire the imagination of the reader. Do they reach out and grab you, urging you to make a change in your life or way of thinking? If the words do, then the author has been successful.  Current eBook version of #CSWCSW In my case, Mr. Owen's words helped me to understand the inner mindset of a modern-day Navy SEAL. As long time followers may know, I'm prior Air Force. To my knowledge, I do not know any Special Forces people. David has been around them and learned from them, so I defer those details to him. As a writer though, it does help to know what a character would or would not do in a situation. Having read No Easy Day..., I feel a little more at ease with the Special Forces mindset. Granted the Wrecking Crew are a bit more old school but I'm sure they could learn a thing or two from the younger crowd. 
If the reader pays attention, Mr. Owen taught many lessons. He taught me that missions require planning and attention to detail complete with contingencies. I also learned that even with all the factors stacked in your favor, a fair amount of luck (or blessings) help out. As SEALs go from mission to training onto the next deployment, they learn from their prior misfortunes.  I guess the same can be said for authors and writers. We plan, we factor stuff in, we get lucky with a word here or there then we go on to the next book taking away some lesson we learned the hard way. Then again, usually authors aren't under enemy fire when having to make decisions.  Navy SEALs are a special breed. Members of DEVGRU are the cream of the crop.  
Mr. Owen explains about DEVGRU, its history and how he made it into this elite group. He also shares the events leading up to and after the title mission to the best of his abilities.  Personally I applaud him for taking the risk to set the record straight. Writing and sharing your inner thoughts and feelings is no easy thing. But then again, I feel sure easy is a foreign word to Mr. Owen and his fellow SEALs when you consider the "only easy day was yesterday".  I'm sure their yesterdays are a hundred times worse than my toughest day ever. 
"Bestsellers" to Mark Owen and Kevin Maurer. I hope you raise lots of funds for your worthy causes. To everyone else, if autobiographies and/or books on military are your thing, I highly recommend this book. 
Lynn Hallbrooksco-author to David McKoyco-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

The Night Watchman has moved

Today is Wednesday... if you are looking for David, The Night Watchman, he has moved to his own blog site, David's Diatribe.  

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks

You Are Not Forgotten

Current Cover Art Since Friday I've visited some Veteran's Day themed blogs.  Three of them not only honored Veterans as a whole but mentioned their family or friends that served.  Thank you, Jeff Dawson, Dixie Swanson, and Rich Weatherly for sharing your stories.

Today at my God-daughter's school, local veterans were honored. I was

There was a brief movie that the students put together which started out with many thank you messages. Next, it briefly chronicled different wars beginning with World War I  into present day. I saw a few tear drops coming not only from my eyes but those of veterans around me. Shortly afterwords, each branch of service was honored with their "theme song". We stood proudly in our little groups. At the end they played "Taps" for those that served and are no longer with us. All of us that could stand, stood up, put our hats/hands over our hearts and honored them. I know I wasn't the only one that shed a few tears at this one, either. 

Then each veteran, had their name called out. Each of us were handed a coin that read: 

In God We Trust 

You Are Not Forgotten 

After all the names were called out, there was large round of applause by the students and adults assembled honoring us.  My heart swelled and even more tears fell as I was looking out over the audience.  These children are our future and they are being taught to honor those that did their duty to protect the freedoms that they now have.  

At the time of Dismissal the principal read these words:

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. 

-John F. Kennedy 
Then the principal asked the students to take a moment as they left the assembly to shake the hand of a Veteran and just say thank you. I shook many hands mostly females. One female even commented that it was really cool that I was a female veteran... the only one among all the males.  I hadn't noticed until then. 
Will my presence there influence someone, female or male, to join the military? I have no clue.  Will my presence make any difference in anyone's future? I may never know. What I do know is that I'm glad that I went and saw the faces of the student body. I'm happy that I shook the hands of so many young people along with fellow veterans and school staff. 
Happy Veteran's Day Observed.  May you Not Be Forgotten. May your good words and deeds be ones that help others in some small way.  
Lynn Hallbrooksco-author to David McKoyco-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

David The Night Watchman Speaks

Howdy! I hope everyone have their breakables out of reach and your sitting down for this report from David. I have a feeling it will be a doozie. 

Original Cover Art  Aye, this is David McKoy the Night Watchman standing my post at the Watchtower. As I look over the horizon, I see a major storm brewing.  It amazes me that the majority of Americans rely on the government to protect and save them. I foresee that over the next four years, the government will be controlling every aspect of your life.

Now Mac would say, “The government can’t handle a wet dream much less take care of us.”

Seriously though, from personal experience I know the Democrat mantra because I've read THEIR handbook. It can be compared to that of Lenin or Marx. In my opinion, you can expect high-end unemployment and hyperinflation in full swing. The government will have to print more money and China is going to own more of our debt. Will we have to sell our National Parks in order to repay them? I highly suspect this will happen. 

You Freedom lovers that know what the Second Amendment is about - you may bow out now if you wish.  The rest of you - the Second Amendment isn't about hunting.  Just ask the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and now Hurricane Sandy. Some are still in the dark, others cold and hungry...so much so that they are eating from trash cans and dumpsters.  When those people see you have lights, food, and shelter they will attempt to take these things from you...if you use a weapon in defense of your home and yourself...the government will put you in jail. How safe and secure do you feel now?  You lost souls, who willing gave up your freedom for safety and security. You deserve neither safety nor security. You reap what you sow!

Yes, I survived Hurricane Ike...I lived without my own electricity or water for ten days.  FEMA wouldn't reimburse me money when I evacuated from my home that Monday morning to Hempstead, Texas. But I digress... even though there was a curfew posted there was no widespread looting. Why, because the people in the Republic of Texas understood the meaning of the Second Amendment. The city government, mostly Liberal, knew if Martial Law was imposed they would have a fight on their hands. 

How did we survive, cowboy showers, family, friends, and Bar-B-Q. You see my friends in Texas, we know how to do two things really well... one is how to make Chili and the second is how to do Bar-B-Q.  Truly I hope you don't have to hole up too much longer sitting in the dark, cold and hungry waiting for President Obama and the government to save your collective- as Frieda would put it - arse. Then again, I'm not going to hold my breath. 

Let’s have the team sum things up in their unique ways: 

Deano: “God Bless you from the Republic of Texas.” 

T.K.: “Come and take it, Texas first.” 

Hank Williams Jr.Mac: “Liberalism is a disease - a bullet is the cure.”  

Crazy Larry: “Better Dead than Red.” 

Deb: “Peace through Superior Firepower.” 

J.T. and Hank Williams Jr.: “... I've got a shotgun, rifle, and a four-wheel drive. Country Boy can survive...” 

This is The Night Watchman signing off.

I have to admit to a certain sense of foreboding since I heard the Presidential Election results. Call Sign: Wrecking (Storm Warning) is a work of fiction, yet so much has rung true these past couple years. Will even more come true?  Will Texas and other States of the Union have to secede in order to maintain their freedom? 

Lynn Hallbrooks
co-author to David McKoy
co-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

Introducing The Night Watchman, David McKoy

Happy Halloween! As promised yesterday, here's the first in a series of blog posts by my co-author and business partner, David McKoy.  For those that don't know, David does not mince his words or his feelings on a given subject. Today is no different. 

For your listening pleasure (before, during, or after reading), David suggested Riders On The Storm by The Doors - Instrumental version on YouTube


The Night Watchman, David McKoy
Riders On The Storm by The Doors Ahoy there, this is David McKoy standing my post in the Watchtower. Since I turned my will and my life over to the care of God and His son Jesus Christ, I have been given a blessing from the Holy Spirit.

For example in October 1988 two days before the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s, I said in the shop, “Watch there will be a major earthquake event before the first pitch of the first game in Candlestick Park”. One hour before the first pitch, an earthquake measuring over 7 on the Richter scale occurred.

Coincidence, okay here’s another example. Before the launch of the Panama raid to get Noriega, I told a buddy of mine that he wouldn't be in his usual places to hide but in a church. As it turned out, he was found in a Catholic church looking for asylum.

Not convinced yet, when Bill Clinton was elected in his first term, I told my supervisor, “Ninety days from now, there will be a major terrorist attack in New York City.” Ninety days from the day he was elected, the first bombing of the World Trade Center occurred.

Still not convinced, from 1996 to 2001 I had been saying that the United States was vulnerable to attack. The feedback was, “sure but how?” My answer was simple, “Fly a bunch of airplanes into a building.” I was told that was impossible. When I did a briefing at the American Legion 8th District, I was giving out my usual quarterly intelligence briefing, I stated the same thing. At the same time as I was giving this briefing, Osama Bin Laden and his people were planning the 9 - 11 attacks. Fast forward to 11 September, 2001, four airliners took off three slammed into buildings. One hit the Pentagon, two hit the Twin Towers.

You still not convinced, in our book, Call Sign: WreckingCrew (Storm Warning) even though events were based in the near future, at the time of writing, some happened prior to publication while others are still occurring. For example, hyperinflation was mentioned as occurring in August 2011.

Back in real life, April of this year, I mentioned to my best friend that on October 15, 2012, consumers will start seeing hyperinflation. Have you seen your electric bill, gas prices, or your grocery store bill lately? How about your favorite fast-food place? Are you getting your money’s worth?

Are you scared yet? You should be. If you aren't scared, then go ahead and re-elect our President. However, if you are tired of all of this, then vote for the alternative.

On another note, my heart and prayers go out to the People’s Republic of the East Coast. Hope they learned at least one valuable lesson during this hurricane event; the Second Amendment isn't about Deer or Duck Hunting.

David McKoy - signing off for now!

Next week this time, David will share his thoughts on the Second Amendment.  Those of you who have read our book know who David would really like to have win the Presidential race for 2012.  Do they still take write in votes? :)

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
co-author to David McKoy
co-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC