Lynn Hallbrooks's Blog, page 9

Marriage, Music, Military, and Medicine #WATWB

Thomas & Kiersten on their wedding day provided by Kiersten to Task & Purpose Do you have tissue handy? It is customary to cry at weddings. However, this one is so special that you may want to have extra available. Anyway, I know that by the time I finished reading this couple's story I needed quite a few. I think it touched me in part because it combines some things that I am passionate about. Music - I've always loved. Medicine - I learned so much during my years working in hospitals. Military - I served in the USAF and I most definitely appreciate those who have come before and after me. Marriage - I know how much hard work, love, and devotion goes into making one work.

This couple's story (the ones in the image above) is shared via Task & Purpose. I discovered this group when researching last month's post, which was about a Vietnam Veteran in a wheelchair. The new groom's injury was not received in the same manner but it did allow him to meet this lovely woman.  Their journey to the altar had not been an easy one, as you'll see when you read this: http://taskandpurpose.com/paralyzed-veteran-wedding-dance Inside the article is a very touching video. If you have trouble watching it there, then try this:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/oPBN9RlYsaA

To me the thing that brought it beyond the military, music, marriage, or even medicine was how the community came together.  I really enjoyed what was said at the end of the story:“I can’t express enough how important it is to put yourself out there and engage with the communities around you, whether they have a past in the military or they are civilians,” Downs says. “Growth happens when we’re uncomfortable, when we challenge ourselves to share and be vulnerable. And building relationships is the key to successfully reintegrating after we leave the military.” This is so true. However, I don't think that it is limited to people who were in the military. I think we all feel that uncomfortable state at some point in time. Let's all do our best to find a way to make our growth from it a positive one. 

Before you go, let me say thank you for visiting my entry to the second We Are The World Blogfest event. Our co-hosts for April 2017 are: 

Belinda McGrath Witzenhausen - https://bwitzenhausen.wordpress.com

Inderpreet Kaur Uppal -  https://inderpreetuppal.com

Mary J. Giese - https://maryjmelange.wordpress.com

Peter Nena - https://drkillpatient01.wordpress.com

Simon Falk - https://simonfalk28.wordpress.com

I encourage you to visit their websites and look for their We Are The World Blogfest story. I feel certain they will share something that may help you go out into the world with a bit more positivity. If you ever need a boost of positive energy you can always visit our Blogfest Community Page:   https://www.facebook.com/Blogfest-Community-We-Are-The-World-watwb-1340888285958297/

May you and yours have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
#WATWB member/author/founder of Call Sign: Wrecking Crew, LLC

We Are The World Blogfest Badge

#Chocolate & #Free #eBooks by #TeamMysteryThriller

April 2017 Team Mystery Thriller banner created by team member I love chocolate and this time of year there is lots of it around. Lately though, there has been many free eBooks available through places like InstaFreebie. As with everything there is a catch. Chocolate isn't free and some sites want you to sign up for an author's email lists. There is nothing wrong with either of these things. However, not everyone can afford chocolate all the time. Likewise, your email inbox can become overwhelmed. 

My solution may not net you chocolate but if you love Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller eBooks then you might want to try it. Renee Pawlish has generously provided a location for fellow authors to place their bodies of work. During the 15th and 16th of April 2017, all eBooks showcased there will be free. The catch, you visit her place, see the selection, and click on one that interests you. The link takes you to Amazon where you verify if you want to download it, double-check the price, click the buy button and then it is delivered to the device of your choosing. There is no side-loading and the only email to contend with is the one confirming your "purchase". If this sounds like a great deal then stop by Renee Pawlish Promo page - http://reneepawlish.com/promo/ - and see if anything there looks tempting.

An advantage of downloading a book from Amazon is you can determine if you already have it and where. When you're ready to read it, you'll find it. Unlike, when you hide the chocolate from yourself, to keep from eating all of it at one time, then discovering it all melted months down the road - messy! 

Thanks for stopping by. If you have another moment, why not share a comment about what you love about free eBooks and/or chocolate.

Lynn Hallbrooks
​Chocolate lover/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC Team Mystery Thriller banner created by fellow team member for April 2017

Bringing Light into Someone Else's Darkness - #WATWB

US Marine Vietnam Veteran Eddie R. Beesley visiting a fellow wounded warrior Welcome to my first post as part of the "We Are The World" Blogfest. You may have noticed that  the world we live in is full of darkness and light. Literally, as in the world turns and the sun's rays strike it or not. Figuratively, when people experience dark periods where they believe no one understands them until they find out otherwise. I'm sharing, with permission, what I know about a person who has seen the world, experienced the darkness, and has decided to bring light into someone else's darkness - sometimes by just listening, being there, or outright showing that others do understand and care.

In his book, Lucky Enough, Eddie R. Beesley describes his life before, during, and after Vietnam. At one point this US Marine was in a very dark place. A special person shared some of their light and made things brighter for him. 

You see, Eddie had just become a double amputee as a result of events best left told by him. Yet he took the light passed to him and made it his business to help others who have lost limbs. After he retired from his enterprise and wrote his story, opportunities eventually presented themselves for him to visit fellow wounded warriors. That was one of his dreams because that's where his heart is at. 

In 2016, Eddie was a guest of The Oak Ridge Boys and was brought on stage. Little did he know that another dream/desire/wish was about to be granted. He was presented with an opportunity via Soldier's Wish to record songs in Nashville. I'm not sure if the album on his website is the result of that or not. I do know that the proceeds from products in the store help make it possible for him to travel around the country and bring light into someone else's darkness. 
 
Below are some links that may be of interest:

Lucky Enough Websites: 

http://www.luckyenough.website/

http://74.220.219.103/~redengin/eddie_beesley.htm

Lucky Enough Facebook Page:

  https://www.facebook.com/LUCKY-ENOUGH-INC-395063970836203

Eddie sharing his story during a Military Writers Society of America event: 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6AyzIb1eWk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IkkSoCTABA

Eddie on stage with The Oak Ridge Boys as part of a presentation by Soldier's Wish staff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQRlanVYc9k

I think Eddie has shown that a little light can go a long way. Please join me in spreading his type of light around the world.  You can begin by visiting my fellow blogfest lead co-hosts for this month: Belinda Witzenhausen,  Simon Falk, Sylvia McGrath, and  Damyanti Biswas . Each of them promise to have stories of positivity to share with the world. If you'd like to learn more about "We Are The World" Blogfest - complete with list of Linky-links - click on the badge below.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to share a positive comment.

Have a great one!
​
Lynn Hallbrooks
author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC 
Former USAF Staff Sergeant/Former Health Information Management Specialist Blogfest Badge for We Are The World

Spring?

Cover art for Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Wings of Eagles It has been unseasonable warm up in my small town of Colorado. I suspect there will be some not so warm weather in the near future. It matters not, Spring will arrive no matter what the weather does. It is pretty much like me, I keep at things until they are done. 

Our second book, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew Wings of Eagles, was part of a cross-promotion over the weekend. The discount is continuing until 26 March 2017.  If you haven't seen them yet, look for ads from Booktastik and Read Free.ly book promoters. This book isn't festive but it does speak to renewal. Of course, that may be my bias showing. 

Michael Phelps, a former USAF Vietnam Veteran and fellow author is in need of financial help. At one point in time this gentleman has helped others. Through a series of events, his life has been turned upside down. I've kept a tweet pinned for him but dollar amounts are not looking all that promising. Please see what you can do to assist in these efforts after visiting this direct link:  https://www.gofundme.com/88ext-michael-phelps-needs-your-help?rcid=0934c9fbd3ce405887f1ecf6bc53c9b2

Selling books and keeping tallies can seem like a daunting task at times and I only have a few books. As I was working through my year end stuff, I kept wondering how others with so many products do it. Needless to say, I was so happy as I finished our business taxes (with a few hours to spare).

In addition to all of this, I've been working with a group known as We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB. The idea is to spread positive messages. So I've been working on a couple of different ones, I have finished the rough draft of my planned blog for 31 Mar 2017.  After a few more tweaks or perhaps a total re-haul, I will have it ready. I hope you will take a few moments to come and see what I came up with to share.

Have a great one!

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

#TeamMysteryThriller #eBooks for #99cents - #MarchMadness - #LuckOfTheIrish or #GreatBargain

March 2017 banner contributed by Team Mystery Thriller member I think imps have been helping me this week. I started this paragraph three times. Twice it has simply vanished. I guess that proves that even if you're born with Irish blood running through you, good luck is not necessarily included. Not that I believe that imps and luck have a real basis in fact. I'm not ruling them out all together either. Of course, they could have escaped from my current work in progress. More on that another time.

I've watched a basketball game or two but March Madness is not my thing. Mystery, thriller, and suspense books - now those I could talk a whole lot about, if given half a chance. 

This month's Team Mystery Thriller members are each sharing a book or possibly a boxed set of theirs for only 99 cents USD or equivalent (be sure to double-check your Amazon Marketplace as some authors may be using a Kindle Countdown deal). Official sale begins 0001 hours aka 12:01 a.m. US Pacific time (GMT -8) on 18 Mar 2017 and stops around 2359 hours aka 11:59 p.m. US Pacific time (GMT -8) on 19 Mar 2017.

​On Renee Pawlish's promo page there are mysteries and thrillers galore. So stop by to see if there is a great bargain  you didn't know you were looking for. 

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
author/founder Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

March 2017 banner by Team Mystery Thriller member.

"Celebration" by Kool & The Gang inspires one #WATWB member

In Darkness, Be Light... We Are The World BlogfestI think Kool & The Gang got it right we should "...celebrate good times..." Inspiring! We may not need to "party" all the time but making the most of positive things sure is a huge step up from constantly shouting about the negative ones. 

We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB is looking for a few more bloggers to help share positive news about people who are bringing light into someone else's darkness. If you'd liked to join, see the guidelines and link to Linky-Link on my previous post. 

Enjoy the music and be careful while you're dancing (in your chair or elsewhere). In case you can't get the video above to work, here's the link:   https://youtu.be/3GwjfUFyY6M

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
​author/founder Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

Would you speak for peace? Announcing ‘We Are The World’ Blogfest #WATWB

Badge for Members of We Are The WorldInteresting question, would I speak for peace? I prefer peace to war. I'd rather have order than chaos. I enjoy being someone's cheerleader more than an in-your-face-drill-sergeant. I also believe in balance such as ying and yang. That's why I'm here today to share the following words in concert with a few fellow bloggers from around the globe.
​ 
​Social media and news in recent times has been filled with hate and negativity. Just as you cannot fight darkness, only light lamps, Hate and Negativity cannot be fought. You need to bring Love and Positivity forward instead.
I bring to you the We Are the World Blogfest, along with these fabulous co-hosts:
Belinda Witzenhausen
Carol Walsh
Chrissie Parker
Damyanti Biswas 
Emerald Barnes
Eric Lahti
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal 
Kate Powell
Lynn Hallbrooks
Mary Giese
Michelle Wallace
Peter Nena
Roshan Radhakrishnan
Simon Falk
Susan Scott
Sylvia Stein
Sylvia McGrath
 

“We Are the World Blogfest” seeks to promote positive news. There are many cases of love and light out there, stories that show compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. Sharing these stories increases our awareness of hope in our increasingly dark world.
We will link to charities supported by the co-hosts, and you could choose to donate to some of them or add links to local charities you support, so we could all chip in to a good cause if we like.
Let us flood social media with peace and love, and “In Darkness, Be Light.” The first post for We Are The World Blogfest is on the 31st March 2017. Hope you will join us!

 
~~~GUIDELINES~~~
 
1. Keep your post to below 500 words, as much as possible.
2. All we ask is you link to a human news story on your blog on the last Friday of each month, one that shows love, humanity, and brotherhood. Something like this news,  about a man who only fosters terminally ill children.
3. Join us on the last Friday of each month in sharing news that warms the cockles of our heart. No story is too big or small, as long as it goes beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.
4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD Badge on your sidebar, and help us spread the word on social media. Tweets, Facebook shares, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome. More Blogfest signups mean more friends, love and light for all of us.
5. We’ll read and comment on each others’ posts, get to know each other better, and hopefully, make or renew some friendships with everyone who signs on as participants in the coming months.
6. To signup, add your link in WE ARE THE WORLD Linky List below.

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Even though, this is my first time working with Linky List, if you have any issues with it please let me know and I'll get with someone who can help us and get back to you. 

Wishing everybody a great one!

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

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Another Badge for Members of We Are The World

For the Love of #Free #eBooks & #TeamMysteryThriller

Team Mystery Thriller banner for February 2017 I love independent authors and have read so many different kinds of books over the last 6 years. My preferred genres are Mystery/Thriller/Suspense.  If I can find the books for free then I grabbed them up.  This isn't pure selfishness though because when readers snap up books that are free it boosts the authors' sales ranking. Which in turn helps their books be seen by even more readers who might not otherwise know about them.

So why not visit Renee Pawlish's promo page and see what books are available. If any of them look like something you'd like to read then get them while they're free. Word of Caution: before you click the buy button, make sure the book is still free because sometimes prices change without warning. 

Conveying the love of reading with others is one of the best acts of kindness I know. So feel free to share this blog with someone you know.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
book lover/author/founder of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC Free eBooks via Team Mystery Thriller 18 to 19 February 2017

Randall Wood's Creation: The Twelve Shepherds

Cover Art for Season One Omnibus of The Twelve Shepherds by Randall Wood What do you do when your audience loves an antagonist so much that they want more? Mr. Wood put some thought into how to reply to these fans. He provided a concept to his beta readers complete with some questions. The end result was an uncommon spin-off.

In the first Jack Randall book, Closure, an assassin is under investigation by the FBI. As his actions and victims are revealed through the press, some Americans are inspired while others are apprehensive. The Twelve Shepherds continues the basic paradigm as a miniseries - think television episodes in a book format.

I've never seen this used in books before and was intrigued by it. I've been enjoying reading the miniseries since it first came out, around the middle of 2016. In Episode 1 of Season 1, Mr. Wood linked some incidents from his first novel, after that, The Twelve Shepherds miniseries took off and is still going.

To me, each episode has a slightly different focus and all of them are remarkable. The reader is treated to multiple points of view. This is important because sometimes what is apparent to one character may not be evident to another.

This is how I see things. Others may have a different take. If you’d like a chance to form your own opinion and haven’t yet read Closure, you are in luck. It is currently free in multiple places (see below). Once you've read it, I feel certain, you’ll understand why some Americans revere the assassin and the miniseries was born.

For the moment, the miniseries is exclusive to Amazon but I suspect that later on it will be available on all the same platforms as its siblings.

If you are interested in finding out more about Mr. Woods, you can visit the following locations:

Book platforms:

Amazon

Apple iTunes

Barnes & Noble

Google Play

Kobo

Social Media:

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

Website

Wishing you and yours a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
​author/founder Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

#BookReview of a #NewRelease ~ Libya Story by J. J. Ward

Cover art for Libya Story by J. J. Ward
I first started reading the Tales of MI7 series when one of them became available via Reading Deals Review Club. I was hooked and became a member of the fan club. Through this, I was made aware of Libya Story becoming a nominee in the Amazon Kindle Scout program. Unfortunately, it didn't win. Mr. Ward was kind enough to proffer a chance for any willing fan to obtain an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC). I took his offer, read the book, and am happy to share my thoughts on it.

I consider this book, which was published via Amazon on 12 January 2017, to be a mixture of International Intrigue and Family Drama genres.
​
Brief overview of Libya Story:  John Mordred knew leaving MI7 would be problematic yet he made the decision that family was worth the risks.  His younger sister was abducted yet no one else in his family knew this. John planned for all known circumstances but will that be enough to keep him and his sister alive?

My thoughts: Having read other books in the series, I am familiar with the main character, John Mordred. G is what some might call eccentric while others would deem him peculiar. I think he is an intelligent, caring person who has to decide what is the right thing to do at any given moment. Considering the twists and turns this adventure takes him, that isn't easy. I also love that John will occasionally make a comparison between himself and James Bond, mostly in a humorous way. 

Is that his creator's sense of humor showing through, maybe a little bit. If you'd like to get to know a little more about J. J. Ward you can visit his website, where you can join the fan club as well as check out some interesting things. You can also follow him on twitter or share posts on Facebook. 

For those outside the US, here is a universal link, courtesy of booklinker, that should take you to your local Amazon Marketplace for Libya Story by J. J. Ward:   myBook.to/LibyaStory

Wishing all a great one!

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