Lynn Hallbrooks's Blog, page 8

Choosing Positivity - #WATWB

BRAINRUSH series by Richard Bard Welcome to month 6 of the We Are The World Blogfest, where the motto is: In Darkness, Be Light. 

In No Refuge by Richard Bard – released on 15 August 2017 – the main characters are in a no-win situation. There is violence, false accusations, and much more surrounding their lives. There are also opportunities for them to help others and even though the risks are great, they make the choice to assist those in need. Like any family or group of friends they have their moments, including self-doubt, but when they look deeper they set aside the negative and find a positive way of viewing things. 

I suspect much of this positive attitude despite negative influences is due to Mr. Bard’s own experiences. You see, he was diagnosed with cancer and given a short time to live. That was over 30 years ago. A few years back, he switched careers and began writing. His first book was Brainrush and now several years later, book six of the Brainrush series- No Refuge - is out and the finale will be released soon.

Why am I telling you about this author and his books? I admire him and his positive attitude. As fellow authors, we have interacted with each other over the years, each time I’ve come away feeling better for it. He puts his characters through all kinds of troubling situations, yet at the same time shows that even in the midst of darkness; people can find a ray of light and thus hope.

That’s the lesson I take away from reading his books. Maybe, we can all learn to find the ray of light to help us get through any dark times that we may find ourselves in. We can choose to help those in need where we are able. Though we may not be fictional characters that have insurmountable odds thrown at us willy-nilly, we do have those daily obstacles that can shake our positive outlook. It is up to us to choose to not let those obstacles stand in the way of our being positive, compassionate human beings.

One more thing, these characters and their creator have been in or around almost all the continents of our world. So, I think they will fit in here well. In addition to myself, this month's We Are The World Blogfest co-hosts are: Eric Lahti, Inderpreet Uppal, Mary J. Giese, and Simon Falk. Please take a moment or two to visit them. 

If you’d like to learn more about We Are The World Blogfest and possibly join, visit here. 

A bevy of #WATWB bloggers should have links to their August blogfest posts here. Feel free to drop by and see what other positive stories are out there. You are also welcome to visit all the previous blog posts listed on the Facebook Community Page and if you enjoy any of them, don’t hesitate to share the love on there and other social media plus don’t forget the hashtag: #WATWB. 

Just for fun, why not visit the Pinterest board where images from various blog posts all the way back to the beginning can be found.
 
Have a Positive One!
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Lynn Hallbrooks
Blogger/Reader/Author/Founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

#WATWB badge

#Free for Now! #TeamMysteryThriller

#Free on 12-13 August 2017 -Team Mystery Thriller #ebooks Has anyone else read one or more of the books presented during the past Team Mystery Thriller promotional events? If so, have you found a few favorites? I know I have. Maybe during the current promotion, I'll find another new favorite. I hope you will too.

This weekend, 12-13 August 2017, the books on Renee Pawlish's promo page are free. So why not take a moment or more to browse, click, and download to your Amazon app or device. Here's the link:   http://reneepawlish.com/promo/

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
Reader/Blogger/Author/Founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

"Hot Zone" by Steve Konkoly - #BookReview

"Hot Zone" by Steven Konkoly I freely admit that I'm a fan of Steven Konkoly. I was hooked once I read Jakarta Pandemic, his first novel and prequel in the Perseid Collapse series. I became a member of his author fan club via his website.  Because of that, I learned about his upcoming books and eventually joined his advanced readers group. That's how I came to read Hot Zone: Zulu Virus Chronicle #1. 

Background: For those of you who have read the "Black Flagged" series, you'll see a subtle nod to Redux. If you haven't read them, it should be okay. You'll enjoy Hot Zone on its own merits. At least I did.

Genres: Pandemic bordering on Post-Apocalyptic with some Medical, Military, and Law Enforcement mixed in.

Overall Story: In the beginning, a hospital ER has been kept busy with patients who complaints are similar to the 'flu' yet it is unlike anything the physicians have seen before. Later the readers are introduced to a youngish couple, a policeman and his son, a research scientist, as well as an elite group of individuals. Each only knows what is set before them or what they glean from various sources. As they realize their survival is at stake, they begin to trust others less than they did before. 

My thoughts: Considering that sometimes the couple or father-son were together, the reader could still see the events unfold from an individual perspective. Of course, they each saw it slightly differently based on their life's journey to that point. I really liked that Mr. Konkoly is able to do that. From my experience, not every author is able to pull that off. 

Warning: There is Violence as well as Adult Language and Situations. So I recommend a parent or guardian read the book first then decide if you think it is appropriate before allowing a young adult read it. 

Disclaimer: As I said, I was provided with an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are totally my own - honestly and freely given.

I highly recommend this book to a mature audience who enjoys the genres mentioned above. 

Happy reading,

Lynn Hallbrooks,
Reader/blogger/author/founder Call Sign: Wrecking Crew, LLC

Transitions - #WATWB

Warrior Foundation - Freedom Station AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun by R. J. BelleWelcome to month 5 of the We Are The World Blogfest aka #WATWB.

Once upon a time, I was in the military where I began my career in, what would become known later as, Health Information Management. You would think that would be a simple transition when I left the military. In truth, it wasn't, I had to go another route first. A couple decades later, I had to step away from that and now I do things related to books. Because of my past, some of what I read or write about has to do with the military and/or medicine. Last July, I did a book review on AFTER: The Battle Has Just Begun by R.J. Belle. The main focus of the book was the stories of some US Marines. Not just any US Marines but ones who saw combat and were severely injured. Needless to say, their life changed dramatically. Ms. Belle’s book goes on to share about an organization that worked with them called Warrior Foundation – Freedom Station.

If you want a quick overview of this organization, you can watch their video, below. It can be very moving, so I recommend you have a few tissues handy.

These warriors have seen a darkness that many will never know. A group of people have taken the time to not only be their light but to help them through the transition and hopefully become a light for someone else. If you want to help keep these hopes and dreams for a brighter future alive, you can donate to Warrior Foundation – Freedom Station either directly via their website or indirectly through the purchase of Ms. Belle’s book. If this is not possible would you kindly share this blog with others so they can make a decision on whether or not to help out in some way?

The We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB is about sharing stories with a positive outcome. Many are about someone’s darkness being brought into the light through kindness and compassion. To learn more about joining the blogfest you can visit here. Thank you for stopping by and if you haven’t already done so, please continue your journey through positive blogs by visiting our co-hosts for the month:
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Damyanti Biswas 
Inderpreet Uppal 
Roshan Radhakrishnan
Simon Falk 
Sylvia Stein
 
If you are interested in becoming a co-host, then please contact me here.  Throughout the July Blogfest and until the August Blogfest, the Blogfest Community Page will continue to show links to the various blog posts. So you don't have to hurry through. You can always enjoy one a day. 
 
Have a positive one!
 
Lynn Hallbrooks
Blogger/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC Badge for We Are The World Blogfest members

Discounted #Mystery #Thriller #eBooks by #TeamMysteryThriller

July 2017 Mystery Thriller Cross-Promotion banner by #TeamMysteryThriller member Truth be told, many people enjoy discounts on things. If you are one of them, and you enjoy mystery, thriller, and/or suspense novels, then this sale is for you. Authors from around the globe have discounted their works to the equivalent of 99 cents USD. Ms. Renee Pawlish has been kind enough to gather these Amazon products into one place - http://reneepawlish.com/promo/ - so people can stop by, view them, click on them, and decide if they will purchase them. The time frame is 15 - 16 July 2017 US Pacific. Be sure to double check the price before purchasing. Sometimes glitches happen and eBooks are not on sale as the author would wish.

Among the choices this month is Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Wings of Eagles. This is the second book in our series. It is a mixture of International Intrigue, Military, and Political Thriller genres. If this isn't your "cup of tea" that's okay, there is a wide variety to select from via  http://reneepawlish.com/promo/ . 

Happy shopping,

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


Banner for July 2017 Team Mystery Thriller event Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Wings of Eagles

"Think Smart Not Hard" by Roy Huff on #Sale

Think Smart Not Hard by Roy Huff on sale One of the wonderful things about being an author is meeting fellow authors. I met Roy Huff online several years back and we keep in touch via social media. Recently, he published a non-fiction book entitled Think Smart Not Hard - 52 Key Principles to Success and Happiness. It has garnered over a hundred reviews here in the United States, most of them 5-stars. I have to admit that I haven't read it yet but perhaps I will get a copy during this sale.

According to Mr. Huff the book will be on sale beginning 8 July 2017 in the US and 9 July 2017 in the UK, each for seven days. Here are the links and the related sale price:

U.S. sale price 99 cents - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JTGJ41/ 

U.K. sale price 99p - ​https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071JTGJ41/ 

For those interested in catching it during the sale, I highly recommend double checking the current price before purchasing. The Kindle Countdown clock might also help you out.

When visiting the book pages you might notice editorial reviews from several people including Jim "The Rookie" Morris, an athlete, coach, and the inspiration for the Disney Movie starring Dennis Quaid called "The Rookie." 

As a special treat, Mr. Huff has sent me an excerpt from his copyrighted book to share with you:

Most people don’t recognize where fear hides, where it lurks, or when they let it keep them from acting. In our culture today, we’re sheltered from a young age and taught to avoid taking risks that are too big, setting goals that are too large, and expecting too much from ourselves for fear of disappointment or failure.
It starts in grade school. We see someone raise their hand; they say the wrong answer. They feel embarrassed and disappointed, so they raise their hand less. We make the same choice. 
As we get older, we often lose. Sometimes we give our best effort. Other times we don’t. We rack up disappointments and see other people do the same. With each missed mark, we grow cynical. We believe our ability to change the outcome is limited, that success isn’t likely; we believe it’s beyond our reach, so we give up.
We stop taking large risks, and then we skip the small ones. We make excuses. After all, the economy’s terrible. We weren’t born into a rich family. We feel okay about it because other people do the same thing. They reinforce our belief. They give us an excuse to give up on our dreams. They tell us life is hard, and we resolve ourselves to the mundane.
Don’t fear failure. It’s necessary and you must study it before success is possible. Each failure is a stepping-stone that leads to the top of a mountain where all your hopes and dreams rest.
Happiness comes when you see the progress of your resolve guiding you up those stones and leading you to the top of your own personal mountain. If you think this paragraph is too Pollyannaish, then set aside your ego and honestly think about your own mindset.
The possibility of success can produce its own fear, which is born from people’s worry that their success is undeserved.
Some people’s self-esteem is so low that they expect their fortunes to reverse, because of their own perceived inferiority and they would rather skip ahead to normalcy instead of waiting to be humiliated. Other people fear success because of the potential work and responsibility it may create.
Common criticisms of optimistic people often come down to certain themes, “That can’t possibly work today,” or, “It can only work if things don’t change.” If you look hard at these attacks, you’ll see they have their base in fear: fear of trying and failing, and fear of succeeding and failing once things change.
For those who think foundational principles are obsolete and simplistic, the best advice is to look outside the sphere of miserable, unsuccessful people who perpetually whine about life’s complications. Let them drown in their own arrogance. Instead, look beyond your own understanding and seek advice from people who have succeeded.
To the second point: the world will always change, but fundamental truths will always remain. Details will change, the delivery of things will change, the ways of writing and reading ideas will change, but the foundation of those ideas will always remain constant.
In other words, it’s the vehicle, not the need for transportation, which requires continued learning. If you understand that, if you’re willing to continue studying and doing, then don’t let fear keep you from succeeding.
If you choose to make your dreams happen and no longer let fear of failure keep you from succeeding, recognize that fear of failure is more than just disappointment or regret. It’s the fear of embarrassment. You’re letting fear of what someone else might think keep you from doing what’s necessary to learn and grow.
If what other people tell you leaves you constantly disillusioned, find those who are more supportive. Support yourself. Allow yourself to fail. Understand it’s okay. Tell yourself what you’ll do when you fail, and how you’ll react. Prepare for it. Plan for it, and then do your best to succeed anyway. The sale won't last long, so if this excerpt whet your appetite for more you can visit one of the links below:

U.S.  - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JTGJ41/ 
U.K.  - ​https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071JTGJ41/ 

If you are interested, Roy Huff's biography and contact information can also be found on these links. You never know, you might find yourself following him online, just like I do.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
blogger/author/founder Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC
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Love and Dedication to Others - #WATWB

GSF Emblem​Welcome to the fourth month of the We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB. Last month, I shared about a documentary that featured Gary Sinise and promised to expand on Gary’s reminder that we can “always do a little more” to honor our service members. Some of you may have guessed at what that was. Six years ago, the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) was born. However, that was not the beginning of Gary’s involvement with helping other people, especially those who go out of their way to protect and serve. It was just his way of allowing others to help him make the life of our first responders and military a little bit better. The Gary Sinise Foundation has multiple programs which focus on different needs. To learn more about the Gary Sinise Foundation, its beginnings, its programs, and ways to help visit here.
 
Heads up, you might want to have a few tissues or a handkerchief available before you visit their YouTube page.
It includes the one below, which explains a little bit about some of the many programs available via the Gary Sinise Foundation. I also understand that the mini film I mentioned last month won the 2017 GI Film Festival’s Best Short Documentary Award. It will be available for purchase on the Foundation’s merchandise shop online as of 30 Jun 2017 US time. Very fitting way to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Gary Sinise Foundation.
 
As you will hear in the video below, Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band go around the world to support those who sacrifice so much to keep us safe. This member of the We Are The World Blogfest salutes his efforts to help others in so many ways. If I ever have the honor to meet him in person, I will give him a huge hug to help replenish the love he has shown to so many people. 
 
Speaking of love, please show some blog love to my fellow co-hosts: Belinda Witzenhausen, " href="http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/" target="_blank">Michelle Wallace,  Sylvia McGrath, and Sylvia Stein, as well as the other #WATWB bloggers. You can find a list of them and more about #WATWB here. If you would like to be a co-host at some point in the future, please leave a comment here.
 
If you want to show some love to the Gary Sinise Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, here are the links:

​Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GarySiniseFoundation
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/6996207/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GarySiniseFound
 
By the way, if you are unable to make direct contributions, you may want to consider donating via the Amazon Smile program.

It occurred to me recently that the We Are The World Blogfest is one way I do a little more for others. To a degree, darkness affects us all, I hope these rays of light are helping those who visit the various #WATWB posts and its  Facebook page. 

Thank you, Gary Sinise Foundation for allowing me to share about your diverse programs. Visitors, thanks for stopping by and please take a moment to comment on what you thought was the best or most surprising way that GSF's love and dedication to others is shown. 

Lynn Hallbrooks
Blogger/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC #WATWB emblem

#TeamMysteryThriller books for #Free

June 2017 banner by Team Mystery Thriller member Keeping this short and sweet this month. Team Mystery Thriller is back with some books for free. That's right no money out of your pocket. 

All you have to do is go to this link: http://reneepawlish.com/promo/ see what book is right for you. Once you found it, click on it and you should be taken to where you can download it. Repeat the process until you have completed your list. But hurry, time is limited: June 17 - 18, 2017 US Pacific time.

We hope you enjoy your selections. Be sure to come back next month to see what we have in store.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
blogger/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

"We Can Always Do A Little More" #WATWB

Gary Sinise - "borrowed" from his Facebook Photo Album Welcome to the third month of We Are The World Blogfest.

My post today is about a man I have come to admire. He is inspiring in his passion and dedication to those who serve and sacrifice for others. On Sunday, 28 May 2017 there will be a showing of a "short documentary" directed by Kip Perry  at the U.S. Navy Memorial Theater. You can view the trailer for this here: https://gifilmfestival.com/films/gary-sinise-always-do-a-little-more/ or here: https://youtu.be/AvaKtSUnmA8  

In doing so, hopefully, you can feel the love and compassion that Gary Sinise has for others. If you listen closely to the background, you can hear him say these words: 
"Many years ago when I began this journey it became abundantly clear that we can never do enough for those who serve and who sacrificed defending and providing our precious freedom and liberty but I also learned that we can always do a little more." 

"We can always do a little more" is a very positive attitude. To me, I believe he is saying that you may think that helping others can be overwhelming but if you just do a little bit more than what you have done, that could mean the world to someone else.  Next month I plan on showing how Gary Sinise's little bit more has grown into something that has aided many others. 

If you wish to "do a little more" but are not sure where to start, why not visit my fellow lead co-hosts' blogs: 

Peter Nena -  https://drkillpatient01.wordpress.com 
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Eric Lahti -  https://ericlahti.wordpress.com/

Inderpreet Kaur Uppal - http://inderpreetuppal.com

Roshan Radhakrishnan - http://www.godyears.net/

Emerald Barnes - https://ebarnes23.wordpress.com/

You can also visit this Facebook Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/Blogfest-Community-We-Are-The-World-watwb-1340888285958297/  where there will be a place that shares the May blog posts of other members of the We Are The World Blogfest community. Perhaps along the way, you'll be inspired and find a way to share your passion while helping others in the process. 

By the way, if you'd like to learn more about what's involved in being a blogging member of #WATWB, visit here: https://bwitzenhausen.wordpress.com/we-are-the-world-blogfest-watwb/  

Have a positive one!

​Lynn Hallbrooks
Blogger/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC We Are The World Blogfest Badge

#TeamMysteryThriller Anniversary and Appreciation

#TeamMysteryThriller May 2017 It was Friday, 13 May 2016 when I first introduced Team Mystery Thriller. It is now a year and several thousand downloads later. Thank you so much, fellow readers, for visiting Renee Pawlish's site, selecting books that you'd like to read and downloading them from Amazon. We authors really appreciate it and even more so those who go the "extra mile" and write a review for them.  

As a reader, I'd like to take a moment to thank my fellow authors for creating such wonderful stories that have taken me all around the globe. 

If you have a moment, maybe you could share your favorite or, if you can't decide on one, a couple of your favorite books that you've downloaded via #TeamMysteryThriller. No, it doesn't have to be Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Storm Warning, which is on sale.  Although, if it is, that would be wonderful to hear. (Hey just being honest here).

Personally, I have read several series that have been available through Renee Pawlish's promotional site and I think I'd have a hard time picking a favorite. Hope you find a series or stand alone novel that suits your fancy and enjoy the read.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
Reader/Author/Founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC