Amy Lignor's Blog: Lover of Books, page 8

HUGE NEWS! To Everyone Who Wants the Angels - It's FREE!

Hey everybody!

To the best fans in the world; as part of the pre-promotion for Book II of the Angel Chronicles, we are having a FREE ANGEL FRIDAY.


FREE ANGEL FRIDAY
Friday, July 13, 2012

THIS Friday, "purchase" your free Kindle copy at:
http://amzn.to/xOQ4eL

CONTEST for The Angel/Warrior Team!

Hey everybody! Again, a HUGE thank you for the support and amazing reviews for Until Next TIme. Just letting you know that Book II is done and we're working on the cover right this second :) This time around you will have your warrior to see.

ALSO there is a contest! Because the fans were so wonderful - YOU get to pick the title!

Head to: http://www.the-angel-chronicles.com

In the upper left hand corner there is a place to cast your vote!!! The angel/warrior team are in the Gilded Age in NYC this time around - so it's action-packed and Jason...well, Jason will be more unusual than you thought!

Radio Show Announces Book II!

Hey everybody - tonight we will be talking about Book II of Until Next Time - the angel/warrior team that has gone so well, as well as industry news and a new book that's being talked about across the industry - Conundrum. I hope you can join us!

New radio show tonight! Talk, Until Next Time, 13, and the brand new book - Conundrum...Tuesday 6PM MST Listen http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwbywsdm or call in 718-305-6548

The Weight of the World Needs to be Lighter!

Okay, readers. You know that there was absolutely no way I could pass this up. I’m a sports fanatic, as you know, but humor sometimes goes hand-in-hand with our beloved teams, coaches, players, and so on. We are already watching the development of Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow, both of whom will be on the top of everyone’s list as far as ‘ribbing’ is concerned when the NFL kicks off. But there is one thing that I must share before it becomes overly ridiculous.

We begin with a little personal background… I had a roommate in my younger days - best friend, pain in the butt, etc. What she liked to do was prank people. Of course, she never pranked me. Why? I believe it was because I read so much Dean Koontz and Stephen King that if she did prank me, she thought I would show up at her bedroom door dressed as a character from The Shining and take her out!

Well, she got brave. One night I awoke at around three a.m. to head to the ladies room in the house. I opened my door and a six-foot-tall man was standing in the dark right outside, staring back at me. His hand was raised in the air. I screamed, I punched, and that man - oddly enough - fell down the stairs. It was as if he was light as a feather. I raced for the hallway light, switched it on, and at the bottom of the stairs was Troy Aikman staring up at me with that confused face (which is the one he always wore), ready to pass the football he had gripped in his hand. Yes, it was a cardboard cutout, and I heard my roommate laugh hysterically from behind her closed door.

Now, she not only got me with the cutout, but she knew that I was a 49ers fan living in Dallas (which is a travesty in-and-of itself down there). Frankly, if any Cowboys fan had learned that fact, I would’ve been the one facing a crowd of Stephen King characters. So she got her ‘digs’ in twice.

Yes, she’s still alive…barely. However, when I ran across the fact that a teenage girl in Colorado had brought her very own cardboard cutout to her prom, this particular incident all came back to me.

Yup, it’s all over the internet. A high school girl had actually written a letter to Justin Bieber’s record label asking for the singer to come to Colorado and be her prom date. As usual with those Hollywood types, there was no response to her kind plea. But instead of feeling badly about it she got another guy! I say, good for you! As she walked into the auditorium of Grand Valley High, she had that cutie on her arm. She headed into the prom, head held high, with a cardboard cutout of Bieber beside her and danced the night away! (I tend to think he was a far better date because she didn’t have to listen to his voice all night.)

No, no. I know what you’re thinking. When did Bieber become a subject for a sports article? Well, you see he wasn’t the only one used for this particular situation. An eighteen-year-old young lady had asked the new ‘angelic’ New York Jets quarterback, Tim Tebow, to be her date for prom over Twitter. Yes, again, these celebrities seem to think they have no time to be polite and answer back the nice letters. (I know they don’t have time for the marriage proposals or the really twisted questions - but this is a young girl and her prom; one of the biggest moments of her life, so I still feel that their assistant who goes through all the Tweets could at least point these out to the celebrities so they could take the time to send a nice note.)

Anyway, she walked right into her prom with Mr. Tebow on her arm. The life-sized cardboard cutout she made herself was actually a handsome likeness and, again, she didn’t have to listen to him yap all night.

Of course - and this is the part that seriously cracks me up - there are actual psychologists who are commenting on how ‘bad’ this is. COME ON! These same psychologists, and I will GUARANTEE you this one, folks - had posters, cutouts and everything else on their walls, in their room, their lockers, in their pocketbooks, and so on. Whether they were from the time of Beverly Hills 90210 and were swooning over Dylan McKay; or they are from today’s world trying to choose between a vampire and a werewolf, or even Corey Monteith and Matthew Morrison from Glee - every single young lady out there has a ‘go to hero’ that they just can’t find in their own high school. (By the way, guys have the ‘go-to-girl,’ too).

I actually read what one of these so-called doctors said: “Having a cardboard cutout in your bedroom can be okay, but to simulate a date or ‘real’ relationship in a public place is disallowing for real flesh and blood humans - who are not airbrushed - to interact with you.” She went on to explain: “If it were a special event, a singular ‘theme party,’ it would be healthy, but to replace a human being, especially one that is idolized - as celebrities are - is making a statement that your peers are not good enough for you.”

No offense, honey? But most of them aren’t. Let’s be real. Perhaps if you were to meet these celebrities up close and personal they would be just like the morons you meet in real life. Maybe their favorite pick-up line is, ‘Get in the truck, girlfriend!’ Who knows? But to have an imagination or to have a crush - there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s healthy. And, again, if you bring them out with you as a cardboard cutout at least they’ll shut up. (LOL)

“Celebrity idolization.” Okay, yes, sometimes it’s over-the-top. I mean, there are some who go so far that they forget the person they’re swooning over is just a regular guy, or girl, who happened to hit it big. But celebrities need to remember something, too. They were once the ones sitting in class dreaming of something. They had posters on their walls, as well. So perhaps the lucky ones should remember that without the ones ‘dreaming’ about them and supporting them - they wouldn’t have scored their dream in the first place.

I say, lighten up, guys! These were two young ladies who thought their friends would get a kick out of it and laugh. My roommate certainly did when she scared the bejeezus out of me. I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist or any other ‘gist’ that’s out there - but I do know one thing. This world has become so ingrained with what is bad, uncool, and what not to do, that we’re bringing back a rein of humorless anger. High school is hard enough. The angst, the fear, the teasing - look at the bullying nowadays. No one is allowed to be themselves, no one is allowed to be different in any way, shape, or form without being looked down upon. And NOW we’re telling kids not to daydream? We’re telling kids NOT to have a laugh or two?

There is a line. Some people cross it (some celebrities cross it too and end up in reality shows that are simply disgusting in order to get more people to swoon over them, so they’re not innocent either.) Some people do need help or support, but the majority - no matter what the ‘holier than thou’ set want to say - are simply kids with the right to have a voice and have some fun! If that voice wants to play a ‘harmless’ prank like heading to prom with a date that’s handsome, shiny, and can be tossed out with no mess or hurt feelings when the puppy at home gnaws it to pieces - I say, so be it!

Please, please, help and support everyone. Be there to solve problems and ‘see the signs’ that are detrimental to some. BUT, for the love of god, people - let them laugh! Life is too damn short not to!

Until Next Time, Everybody!
Amy

Twitter Party Thank You!

I want to give a huge shout out of thanks to everyone who came to the Until Next Time Twitter party. I had no idea that there would be so many and that's why, unfortunately, we had so much trouble with Twitter when the room became overloaded. But the publisher will be setting one up again, perhaps soon...and I REALLY want to thank you all for your support of Emily & Matthew - it is a true blessing!

Amy

A Riveting Book by a Brilliant Writer!

The book is titled: "I Am Normal…If You’re Bipolar." The amazing author is, Terri Callsen.

Readers, as you know I pick-up and review around thirty to forty books a month, on average. But I can quite honestly tell you that when this title crossed my ‘path,’ I was stunned.

Not only was I stunned by the abilities of the author to write her feelings and emotions with kindness, as well as humor; but at the same time I was stopped in my tracks by her ability to give people who are bipolar a true sense that everything IS all right. Ms. Callsen explains the ups-and-downs, the ins-and-outs, she takes on Western medicine, and doctors who seem to have forgotten everything they learned since they earned that fancy diploma that hangs on their office wall - and she does it in a way that is learned, riveting and entertaining, all at the same time.

I Am Normal gives an in-depth look at depression - which is an illness that has grown larger and larger by the day. Being bipolar, suffering from depression - these are not ‘silly, fluffy’ issues that one simply waves their hand at and walks away. This is all very real, and THIS is the book for anyone who suffers from these illnesses, as well as the family and friends who wish to understand more about the ‘issues’ that their loved one is going through.

I Am Normal contains facts, explanations, an outline of symptoms and what to look for, and really ‘shows’ readers the extreme behaviors that come with depression and bipolar disorder. The book is extremely heartfelt and true because the author is speaking from experience, which adds to the fascination. With this book you’re not getting the ‘same-old, same-old’ diatribe that doctors and so-called ‘professionals’ feed you every day, you are getting an ‘inside’ look at something you NEED to know and NEED to learn about in order to better understand how it feels to be bipolar.

My advice? Get this one right now!

Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy

Two Unique Men ‘Linked’ in an Unforgettable Way

Readers, I talk about a great deal of things - from books to movies to politics to various issues, trials, tribulations and blessings - everything is fair game. We laugh…a lot. Perhaps that comes from the sarcastic gene that the Lord blessed me with (although my mother never quite found it to be a blessing). Humor is the universal tool that brings us together. It’s great to be able to look at a sad or morose situation and turn it into a look at life, fun, enjoyment and the endless possibilities that we have in front of us. But there does come a time when the heartstrings are pulled and something is brought to the forefront of our minds that has to be addressed. So, for just one moment, we’re going to talk about the absolute beauty that comes from an unselfish soul.

I want to introduce you to two men and their stories. The first is Jerry Frasier. I met Jerry when I had to take a 9-to-5 job in the world of finance (which was not pretty, believe me. Sarcasm is not accepted there even though Wall Street produces laughs on a daily basis). On my first day a man strode through the doors wearing a white cowboy hat and a seriously heartwarming and welcoming smile.

Jerry was a Texan who ended up being an integral part of the New Mexico scenery. He shared outrageously funny stories with me - from jokes he played on his sister when they were young to hanging out in Roswell at the theatre on Main Street (which is now the UFO Museum). He was a sports enthusiast and played almost every one of them with skill and passion, and he fell in love with his soulmate, Claudine, in 1950, embarking on a marriage that would last 56 years. They traveled everywhere until Claudine fell ill and passed on in 2006.

It was not long after her death that Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and came to say goodbye. He’d visited me every morning of every week. He walked in, smiled, got his cup of coffee and made my day fun. Without his presence I would’ve quit that particular job far sooner than I did. He said goodbye because he didn’t want to come back in; he didn’t want me to see him succumb to the disease. It was his wish…and I followed it. I wish I hadn’t.

I kept in touch with his lovely daughter who visited him every day and she gave me updates on how horrific it was becoming for Jerry at the end; not to mention the strain it was placing on her to watch her effervescent father erased. I had so wanted to sit with Jerry and record all his stories, because I thought that his special life should’ve been ‘gifted’ to others. His stories, his brilliance, his lust for life…people should know about him. When Jerry passed in January of this year, my heart broke; I wanted him back. Luckily, I will be able to write his story because his daughter knows it all and will allow me to introduce him to the world.

This afternoon everything came back, but in a far different way. I had a conversation with an English gentleman who is, right now, sitting in a boat rowing like the wind, in an attempt to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

Lewis Colam is the incredibly selfless human being I’m speaking about. A man who has never been a rower by profession - who has never had any seafaring experience whatsoever - actually cast off from Miami on March 3rd in a fifteen-foot, open-decked row boat. He has no cover from the wind and rain, and he has dealt with many frightening storms along his trek. His ultimate goal is to sail 1400 miles along the East Coast in order to raise $20,000 dollars for the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. (www.ALZinfo.org).

The Fisher Center, much like Lewis, is dedicated to understanding the cause of Alzheimer’s; finding a cure for the horrific disease; and improve the care of people who live with Alzheimer’s in order to enhance their quality of life. They also offer support for the families and friends who have no choice but to sit and watch their loved ones fall apart at the hands of an illness that takes more and more lives every year.

Lewis Colam has heard many stories from the people he’s met along the way; the people who actually write to him on his blog and greet him at his various stops. He, too, had to deal with watching one of his best friend’s mother’s succumb to Alzheimer’s, and he truly wanted to do something to bring this disease into the headlines.

Not only does Lewis Colam have no prior rowing experience, but he also has absolutely no support. What I mean by this, is that there are no vehicle’s, spotters, other boats, or even an assistant rower to help him along the way, or watch out for him as he heads into places that are foreign to him. His completely unselfish expedition is not in the hands of a public relations firm or agent, and there is no other benefit to Lewis when he achieves his goal except for the fact that he did it, and brought money and publicity to a disease that MUST be cured!

His outlook is positive. He loves traveling and exploring the majestic areas that most of us have never gotten the chance to see. And for a person who has no experience out on that mystical and frightening ocean, Lewis is truly giving 100% to complete his journey.

Before the sun leaves the sky tomorrow evening, Lewis will find himself halfway through his 1400-mile quest. Along the way he has gotten donors to head to his incredible website and give what they can to help with Alzheimer’s research, and he is actually very, very close to his original goal of $20,000. It wouldn’t take very much to put him over. In fact, he is only $561 dollars short. I KNOW that we can band together and put him over the top!

Not only can you and I help Lewis achieve that final push, but we can also enjoy the seriously cool website features that Lewis has put together for his, “I Am Fine Challenge.” A “real time” GPS shows exactly where he’s located, and the blog about his daily adventures is very funny and very cool. I personally love the crucifix that he installed on the front of his boat, as well as his “Pizza and Hunger Games Movie” update. Lewis also leaves short audio messages at (http://www.iamfine.com) to update listeners on everything that’s occurring during his travels, and posts on his own Twitter and Facebook pages for one and all to get involved.

Lewis even offers a photo album that shows the ‘downsides’ of rowing by yourself, and the spectacular supporters who he’s met along the way. (And, yes…before I end up with thousands of emails in my inbox, which I already know will happen after some of you enter the website and see Mr. Colam on his boat - he loves books, he loves to write, he’s interested in politics, he’s more interested in reading and writing than sports, he loves traveling, and I have NO idea if he’s single or not…I swear).

The one thing I know for a fact, however, is that Lewis Colam is fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves. He has taken on a monumental task and is ‘sailing’ through it with all the passion and belief that he has in his soul.

Lewis Colam is a ‘new hero’ for me because he addresses a disease that needs to be erased once and for all…the disease that stole my other ‘hero’ from this world far too soon.

Until Next Time, Everybody.
Amy

Head RIGHT NOW to these Lewis Colam links and make sure that he reaches that $20,000 goal. He is SO close…let’s do it!

http://www.iamfinechallenge.org/wp
https://twitter.com/#!/us_rowed_trip
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lewis-i...
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser...

YA Party!

Hey there!

Talk about a lovely Easter present - two new reviews - two news site s- two new 5 Stars! It is this reason and how nice everyone has been to the angel/warrior team that a Twitter Party has been announced!

Reviews:
Wicked Readings says…The author has created wonderfully complex characters, that are completely believable, and unforgettable*****5 Stars http://wickedreadingsbytawania.blogsp...

Close Encounters with the Night Kind Says…This book is a complete treasure. The concepts inside the story are sensational. http://closeencounterswiththenightkin...

See the Party with Cash & Book Giveaways:

http://the-angel-chronicles.blogspot....

A New Contest & A Divine Fight Club!

Night Owl Reviews Divine Fight Club & Contest for Until Next Time!
http://nightowlreview.blogspot.com/20...

Win CASH & BOOKS!

Big news everybody!

Twitter Party
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
8 p.m. Eastern

Follow hashtag #UntilNextTime as author Amy Lignor answers your questions for 90 minutes live on Twitter. A $50 cash prize will be given to the person who has a receipt confirming an ebook purchase of Until Next Time and tweets at least once during the Twitter Party. We'll also be giving away a variety of ebooks and print books throughout the event. Let us know if you are planning to attend by tweeting @TributeBooks or @HelloWritersAmy to RSVP