Kathleen Patel's Blog, page 8

Spirituality could save your life

Spirituality is a term that is tossed around quite a bit these days.  Many people are not clear on the definition of spirituality.  Even if you check the Merriam-Webster dictionary you will find that there are a few different interpretations. The definition that makes the most sense to me is, "Joined in spirit".   There have been several studies that have proven both physical as well as mental benefits to including spirituality in your life.Researchers at the University of Manitoba examined a link between religious attendance and attempted suicide.   This health survey was based on 37,000 respondents. Dan Rasic, the studies principal author found that, "Those who attended church at least once a year had decreased rates of suicide."   Some believe that the attendance of these services enable people to feel as though they are part of the community as less isolated.Although people have found comfort in prayer and other spiritual for thousands of years, the scientific proof is relatively new.. Based on research dating back several years, it's been found that spirituality can give hope, act as an antidepressant and even help to cure serious illnesses like heart disease and cancer.   In fact, researchers have found that spirituality and the practice of religion may slow the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.  These findings were actually presented at The American Academy of Neurology 57th Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida back in April of 2005.In May of 2004 the National Center for Health released findings of a survey involving 31,000 people using prayer and complementary and alternative therapies.  Prayer was the most popular of all the "therapies".  The results were astounding. Catherine Stoney, Ph.D, a Program Officer at the NCAAM noted, "There is already some preliminary evidence that religious affiliation and religious practices are associated with health and mortality- in other words, with better health and longer life."Many researchers agree that there are strong connections between the mind, the spirit and the body.  Spirituality doesn't have to include going to a church or other houses of worship.  Spirituality can be found in many ways.  Some find spirituality in meditation, yoga or even a support group. Spirituality is a very individual, personal endeavor- but definitely one worth pursuing.

The Delphi Chronicle Book 1- this will make you wonder...

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Reviews  Russell Blake has a masterpiece here.  The book overflows with fear,mystery, murder- all eloquently put.  It is most definitely apage-turner.  Most importantly, it will make you stop and think.  Mr.Blake claims the book is fiction.  However, he readily admits that,

"It is almost impossible to verify with complete certainty what is fictionwhen examining the world of covert operations and intelligence agencies."

An extremely conceivable conspiracy drives this story at a fast pace. A mysterious manuscript contains dangerous information.  The ugly truthcan change history and the world, as we know it today.  Our unlucky herofinds himself in the possession of this manuscript.  He is now the targetof a powerful group that will not allow this to become public.  Innocent peopledie in the quest to retrieve this manuscript.  Will our hero make it outof this alive?

Interviewwith Russell Blake
K-You have stated that you believe the bestfiction comes from a blend of fact and fantasy.  This book reads more likefact rather than fantasy.  Given your intimate knowledge of these entitiesmay I ask if you have a military background?

R- I've never served in the armed forces.

K-Is there anything in your own life thatinspired you to write the story? 

R-Well, there are some things that are similar, but I'd prefer not to gointo detail as to what the similarities are. Let's just say that there's alittle of me in all my protagonists.

K-As a writer, I admire other authors that areable to "open a new world for me". You have a very descriptive style thatallows the reader to feel and see the story.  Is this something that justflows from you? 

R-Yes. I've been told to dumb down my style, and to cut back on theexposition and narrative, but frankly I think that what you wind up with iswriting that could be anyone's at that point – sort of a bland, vanilla writingstyle I'm utterly uninterested in. If that's what I needed to do to have peoplebuy my books, I think I'd give up writing. No offense to the monosyllabicauthors out there who have been successful, but I would like to take more of anote from Umberto Eco, Chuck P and David Foster Wallace than from JamesPatterson.  Although I'd love to have his income…

K-You and me both...Where is your favorite placeto write? 

R-I've written all my books from the same desk, so that's probably theplace.

K- I was guessing that it was the beach.  

I love Mexico.  I usually vacation there atleast once a year. What influenced your permanent move to Mexico?

R- I was looking to broaden my horizons, and had grown tired of the pressurecooker, consumer-driven lifestyle of the States. I wanted something relaxed,where it was warm, the beer cold, the water blue, and the native friendly.Mexico naturally beckoned, and I've never had a single regret moving here.

K-Getting back to the fact that the book is alittle too real:   Is it true that you actually live on the WestCoast of Mexico in a neighborhood surrounded by drug lords? 

R-Yes, and no. I mean, it's not like they are surrounding my town oranything. But there are always plenty of bad guys in any area, and mine is notunlike the rest of the country in that respect. Although if you look at themurder rate, it's actually lower here than in most similarly sized U.S. cities.That should tell you a lot. Not to discount the very real danger in some areas– anything near the border is ugly, as are some cartel towns and some resortsnear Mexico City. But guess what? There are equally ugly areas of the U.S. Ijust prefer not to go to them, just as I didn't go to the American ones when Iwas in the U.S.

I think the brush Mexico gets painted with involves a lot of hysteria andgeneralizations, some of which are deliberate – the U.S. has a large segment ofthe population that's coming to retirement age, so if it doesn't want to lose awhole lot of tax base and retirement funds to warmer, friendlier, cheapercountries, it has to make them seem as unappealing as possible. Otherwise why wouldanyone stay in the U.S., if you could live for half as much at a considerablyhigher quality level somewhere else? No, those places are dangerous and scaryand, ugh, different, so best to spend your vacation money in Hawaii or Floridaand keep paying twenty grand a year property tax for the privilege of being inthe U.S. If that sounds cynical, it is. Which comes through loud and clear inmany of my books.

K-Well, I see your point.  I would love toretire in Paradise.  You're in a beautiful place. 

I'd like to do a little exercise, if it's okaywith you.  I'm going to provide a scene from a book and I would like foryou to re-write it in your own style. 

R-All right, but I do go on, as you know from my books…

K- Okay, here it is:

Just doyour work, Consuela.  Don't imagine things. You got a lot of shit to dotoday.
She was a small women and she was fast. She would finish cleaning this house and then move on to the next.  Themore houses she could clean, the more money she could send back home, to herfamily. Her children were still in Mexico with her parents. She was hoping tobring them to America one day.
Thinkabout the kids and get your shit done.
Then she saw the bloody towel thrown in thehallway. Her heart was pounding so loud she could hear it. She noticed thebedroom door was closed.
Mr. Ryannever left that door closed.
Her legs were shaky as she slowly walked towardsthe door and opened it.
"Help me...please."
Then the screaming began.

R-
A soft breeze stirred the jacaranda blossoms outside the open wooden windowsof the old house, the air heavy with humidity, the uneasy remnant of a distantsquall. Inside, the clamor of a bucket knocking against the scarred woodenbanister announced that the cleaning girl had arrived to perform her grudgingchores.  Leathery hands gnarled by a lifetime of manual labor were moreexpected on an elderly peasant woman than on a twenty-nine year old ofdiminutive stature, but Consuela couldn't turn back time.  She'd had to dowhat she could to make ends meet, and in a harsh environment, that often meantbackbreaking tasks nobody else wanted to do – strawberry picking for fourteenhours a day, working in the tomato fields the same hours, or scrubbing floorsand toilets with corrosive chemicals that hardened her skin as much as they'dtarnished her soul. None of which her placid expression betrayed. Outwardly,she was inscrutable; invisible to the privileged for whom she worked.

The cleaning gig was better than some she'd had. At least it enabled her tocare for her children in the only way she was able – monthly Western Uniontransfers to her parents, who were raising them while she paid their bills fromafar. It wasn't her first choice, but she'd gotten caught up in the business ofliving as barely more than a girl, and soon the adventure of forbidden midnightrides in musty cars with the dangerous love of her life had been replaced bythe reality of an infant girl, with another on the way, the father long gone togreener pastures, leaving her with only regret and responsibility.

She hummed under her breath, a tune from home, from the fiestas that madeSaturday nights in her rustic village near Veracruz bearable. On mornings likethis, the dream of a small yellow clapboard house, with a little yard, perfectlymanicured, on the outskirts of this town, in the impossibly prosperous U.S.,her children playing safely in it, speaking English – the language ofopportunity and of power, and wealth – was the only thing that got her throughthe day. Mornings after the big weekends were the worst. The clients alwaysleft a mess, knowing she, or someone like her, would clean up after them.Mondays were always the same, and she resigned herself to another longafternoon if she was going to clean two homes before nightfall.

Which she would do, even if it killed her.

Because she needed the money. It was always about the money.

Finished in the foyer, she moved towards the master suite, the heavymahogany door with its ornately hand-carved panels a reminder of centuriespast. As she rounded the corner into the hall, she hesitated, momentarilyconfused. Even as she registered something on the gleaming hardwood floor, hernose detected a distinctive metallic smell – the smell of fresh blood. At firstshe thought it was one of the cats, injured or killed by the damned dogs.Consuela hated the dogs, and was always relieved when they were elsewhere; shedidn't care where. They scared her, reminding her too much of the ugly angrymen in her life. Dogs were always liketheir masters, she thought as she struggled to make out the form in the dimlight.

She peered in the gloom, and abruptly realized it was one of the owner'sthick white terrycloth towels, soaked in blood, the jaunty teal thread of theembroidered R of his last name – Ryan; Senor,no, Meester Ryan –  standing outfrom the crimson stains, which were slowly turning rust-colored.

The silence of the empty house was fractured by an explosion as the metalbucket hit the floor with a crash, startling her into action, her fingershaving reflexively dropped it. The ammonia in the water made her eyes tear, andshe was about to curse when she heard it…faint at first, and then again, alittle louder.

Scratching. At the door.

Consuela approached the battered pewter lever with a trembling outstretchedhand, anxiety now in full bloom. Scratch.A tiny internal voice argued against proceeding any further, told her to turn,to run, to get away from this cursed place, the money be damned. Meester Ryannever closed this door, or any door, for that matter. She didn't know what itmeant that today it was shut, but she was sure that whatever the reason, itcouldn't be good.

The scratching continued, and her ears strained, catching something else.Something like an animal, wounded, caught in a trap, like she'd seen once as achild on a trip to her grandfather's farm, when a hare had gotten snared andnearly torn its neck off trying to escape. Consuela had learned a terrible secretthat day. She knew that rabbits could scream. The sound had never left her, andeven now, as the hair on her arms stood up, she was reminded of that uglysound, as she had been for months after in now-faded nightmares.

She hesitated, forcing down the fear that was blossoming inside her, andthen swung the door open, mop clenched in her free hand like a puny club.

Her eyes widened even as she heard the gurgled plea from the thing on thebedroom floor. A thing that had once been…

"Help me…please."

Outside, a covey of quail soared into the April sky from the field acrossthe way, startled by the piercing shrieks echoing from the house. Screams thatwent on forever, unheard on the rural country road; screams of a horror thatwould never fade, and that promised the rabbits would have company inConsuela's psyche for the rest of her life.

K- I love it!  You are a wonderfulwriter.  I will keep this close by for inspiration.

R-I try to open as many doors for the imagination as possible when I write,and am constantly torn between a Hemingway approach of only a few words, and aDFW approach of pages, enjoying the way words splash on the page for the sheerjoy of the musicality to the cadence. Obviously I give in to the DFW more thanthe Hemingway.

K- It's working for you.  Thank you so muchfor the interview.  I will definitely be reading the rest of yourbooks.  I am hooked : )


Find Russell Blake's books here Visit his website hereFollow him on Twitter here

What's your Dosha?

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Ayurvedabelieves that everything in this universe is made up of five great elements orbuilding blocks. These are earth, water, fire, air, and ether.  
Then there are three different body types called Doshas. They are theVata, Pitta and Kapha, and each is mainly a combination of two elements. 
Vatadosha is made up of space and air. Pitta dosha is a combination of fire and water. Kapha dosha is made up of water and earth. Each of these doshas is furtherdivided into five sub-doshas. Together, the doshasorchestrate all the activities that occur within us.  Some people haveequal parts of each dosha.  Some are primarily one dosha or maybe two. Youcan take a quiz here tofind out which one fits your body.
 If you feel thatsomething is not right in your body, the following will give you some guidelines to discover which dosha is unbalanced. However, more thanone dosha may be unbalanced, so please be aware.    
Vata is unbalanced when there is pain, spasms, cramps, chills or shakiness. Pitta is unbalanced when there is inflammation, fever, excessive hunger and thirst, heart burn or hot flushes. Kapha is unbalanced when there is congestion, mucous, discharges, heaviness, fluid retention, lethargy or over sleeping. Likewise, Vata, Pitta and Kapha people aresusceptible to different chronic diseases:
  Vata types are prone to insomnia, chronic constipation, anxiety and depression, muscle spasms, cramps, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), irritable bowel, chronic pain, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Pitta types are prone to rashes, acne, heart burn, and peptic ulcers, early balding and premature grey hair, poor eyesight, hostility, self-criticism and heart attacks related to stress. Kapha types are prone to obesity, congested sinuses, chest colds, painful joints, asthma and/or allergies, depression, diabetes, higher cholesterol (and related heart disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and stroke), and chronic sluggishness in the morning.Theseare broad guidelines, but you can learn more here.    Yourbody type is a strong influence, but not a cause. Being a Vata doesnot mean you are sure to have arthritis just as being a Pitta or Kaphadoes not mean you will never have arthritis. Your body type determines whatyou are more likely to be susceptible to. The problems occur when your dosha or doshasare out of balance.  This can be addressed by changing your diet, exerciseand lifestyle.  Imbalanceof doshas:  Usually imbalance is a result of notliving in accordance with your body type and (or) external factors. Thetreatment is typically as follows:
1) Appropriatetherapy for balancing the doshas. This can involve: a certain life-style,eating of adequate food, herbs, massage with different oils, purifyingprocedures, a clinical therapy by using energies opposite to imbalanced doshas,etc. 2) Somepredominant methods used in ayurvedic therapy and yoga are asanas (yogicpostures), pranayama (breathing techniques), mantras (sound vibrations),meditation, a balanced diet and life-style. 3) Softening,changing of karma.  This is basically youstriving to be a better person; to gain a loving attitude toward the world. Andalso, to perform sacrifices.  That wouldbe karma-yoga (unselfish activity).
These three treatments are usually used together to varying degrees, depending on the needsof an individual. On all levels the mind is the root psychological or emotionalcause and factor of disease.
As you can see, thesetreatments are enriching for anyone. They can only improve the quality of your life and make you a happierperson.  There is nothing harmful inexploring your doshas or trying Ayurveda approach.  An Ayurveda doctor can prescribe medicine foryour ailments- non-pharmaceutical of course.  This is a holistic approachto cure the illness, not to mask the symptoms as is the case many times inwestern medicine.  You can learn more details here.
Sohow are you?  Really- how do you feel?  How is your health?
Doyou take any prescription drugs? Almost half of all Americans take at least oneprescription drug on a daily basis.
Thepill pushing climate that exists in the medical world today has caused a viciouscircle of disease.  There is an overabundanceof prescriptions being written to mask symptoms.  Rarely are today's medical doctors spending time getting to the root of the problem. I'm not specifically blaming the doctors.  There are other evil forces behind this.  Greedy mega-hospital systems, healthinsurance companies, powerful pharmaceutical companies.  But- I digress- this is not a politicalstatement.  
Please allow me to illustrate:
You start taking a prescription drug.  This drug causes side effects and/or anothermedical condition.  You may be given anadditional prescription to address the newer condition.  That prescription will cause another sideeffect, and so on.   So, how safe are prescriptiondrugs?  Well, to start with, numerouslawsuits are being filed against the manufacturers of dozens of drugs. Everythingfrom antibiotics to antidepressants and statins. It is now proven that thesedrugs all have serious side effects that can cause heart attacks, strokes,blood clots, liver & kidney failure, tendon rupture, psychotic episodes,memory loss and a host of other diseases.
So, are youthinking that you're better off with over the counter drugs?  More people die from over the counter &prescription drug use than cancer! Yes, it's true, Non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil & Motrin cause more deathsannually than aids. That is 103,000 hospitalizations and more than 16,000deaths per year in the US, according to a study published in the AmericanJournal of Therapeutics.  New research shows that long-term use of acetaminophen -- sold under the brand name Tylenolcauses kidney damage
 People are looking for alternativeanswers.  It's always good to keep an open mind& never stop learning- it could save your life.

Bullying Epidemic-a new perspective with Josie Ann

I had the pleasure of doing an interview for Josie Ann on my book,

'The Bullying Epidemic-the guide toarm you for the fight'.  

She is the talented book reviewer  from EBook Addict  book blog.  Here is the interview:


1. In your book,"The Bullying Epidemic", you stated, "Parents need to beproactive," how would you advise a parent to handle a situation if theirchild was being bullied?  What if their child was the bully?
I'd like to preface this by pointing out that today'sbullies are not the same bullies that the parents may remember.  It frustrates me to hear a parent or teacherminimize the abuse by saying something like, "Boys will be boys." or"They'll sort this out- it's just kid stuff."
Today's bully has evolved.  They are more sophisticated with a widerreach- thanks to the help of technology.  Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter arebeing used as weapons of terrorism. These bullies are unrelenting with acruelty that is alarming.  They can inflict24 hour torture.  This reflects in therise in suicide among children that were bullied.  And let's not forget the children that just "snap"from the abuse and become violent.  Themajority of school shootings have been linked to bullying. Parents need torecognize the warning signs, intervene immediately whenbullying occurs and send the message that bullying wrong and will not betolerated.
At the first sign of bullying: Report the incident tothe right person (the school might consider identifying an official contact,who may be the school administrator, or a member of the school safetycommittee). Find out the school policy on bullying.  If there is none in place, the parent canshare these guidelines:
Intervene immediately. Separate the students involved. Do not immediately ask aboutor discuss the reason for the bullying or try to sort out the facts. Request more information.  Getthe facts. Speak to students involved (participants and observers) in theincident separately and ask what happened. Tell the students you are aware of their behavior. Talk to thestudents involved separately. Make it ateachable experience.  Helping bystanders understand what hashappened and why may be important for preventing future incidents.
And always, always follow up!
For the Student Who Was Bullied:
Check in regularly with the student.Determine whether the bullying still continuesProvide a supportive environmentReview the school rules and policies with thestudent to ensure they are aware of their rights and protectionConsider referring them for professional orother services as appropriate
For the Student Who Bullied Others
Identify the behaviorReview the school rules and policies with thestudentAsk for positive change in future behaviorConsider referring them for professional orother services as appropriateConsider appropriate graduated consequencesEncourage the student to channel theirinfluence and behavior into positive leadership rolesMonitor and check in frequently

2. At what age did youbecome a victim of bullying?
I was seven yearsold.  I was a shy child and being bulliedwas an extremely traumatic experience.  Icried for hours when I wrote this book.  During those two years, my life was sad andlonely. It robbed me of my childhood innocence. 
3. What are ways, inyour opinion, that people can bring awareness to bullying?
Everyone needs to stepup to the plate.  As in the wise Africanproverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child."  If you suspect abuse- investigate. 
Speak up! If you'renot part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

4. Now in your book,you mentioned that bullying can begin in Pre-Kindergarten.  In my opinion,that's a very young age; where do you think children at the young of an agelearn such a thing?
In today's society, from children's televisionto movies and games, mean behavior is glamorized. Speaker and author BarbaraColoroso (http://kidsareworthit.com) claims we are living in a "cultureof mean."   She says it's imperative toacknowledge bullying regardless of age because the behavior often progresses.
5. Have you been incontact with any of the people who used to bully you?  
No. I have no desireto see any of those people. I'm quite sure they have grown up to be adultbullies.
6. Lastly, what advicewould you give to someone who is being bullied?
Tell an adult youtrust-your parent, teacher, counselor. If your teachersdon't do anything, talk to your principal. Telling is not tattling.  If you stay silent you only protect the bullyand leave the victim in harms way. 
 Speak up againstbullying. Say something like,"Stop it."Walk away. Act like you do not care, even if you really do.Stick together. Staying with a group might help.
Always remember...You are not alone.  It isnot your fault. Nobody should be bullied! Talk to someone youtrust.  Do not hurt yourself. Do not bully back. Do not bully anyoneelse.  Do not let the bully win. Keep doing what you love to do.
There are some great websites with resources and advice. http://www.stopbullying.gov/http://ww...
7) What book are you currently reading?
That would be books-plural. I have very eclectic taste in my books. Right now I am reading Two Graves by D.A. Graystone.  Ironically it's about a serial killer who "snapped"due to bullying.  I'm also reading 'TheLove You Crave' by John Locke.  It's acrazy adventure with a hit man and a host of unique characters.  And I just started reading 'The Raised' aparanormal, supernatural adventure by Allen Renfro.  I do love the paranormal.
8) Do you have a certain amount of books you would like to read or write forthe year of 2012?
I will read as many as I can devour.  I love to read.  I write book reviews too-but only for booksthat I really like. I won't write a bad review. There are enough mean critics out there. Just kidding!  I know there is aplace for constructive criticism but I'd rather not be that person.
9) What or who inspired you to become an author?
The books that I read as a child opened a whole new universe forme.  I read books like 'Jungle Book' and' Ali -Baba and the Forty Thieves and felt like had I traveled toexotic places like India and ancient Persia. Even books like the Trixie Beldenseries and Nancy Drew were like windows to different worlds and lifestylesoutside of my own. 
10) Are you currently working on any novels?  If so, canyou tell us about them? 
Yes, I am working on the second book in the 'Magical Adventure'saga.  It's a young adult, paranormaladventure.  There are ghosts andmysticism along with more adventures in astral projection.  I am also working on "Vacation GoneWild", which is a fun romance adventure novel, based in Spain. I would sayit probably leans toward the 'Chick Lit' genre'.  

 Thanks so much Josie!
You can find Josie's book blog,
eBook Addict  here 

You can find Josie's heartfelt blog, 
In This Moment here 

You can find Josie on Goodreads here

You can find Josie on Facebook here

The Black Witch- she's truly irresistible

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As I started reading 'The Black Witch', I was transported toanother time and place.    As I met thecharacters and followed them on their journey, I was drawn in by their idiosyncrasiesand flaws. And then the subsequent nightmare than ensued...
Dorian Coe and his wife, Diana are the first to discover 'TheBlack Witch', while shopping around for a sailing vessel.  They are immediately put under her spell andare willing to sacrifice their life savings to have her.  It's an evil spell that no one can resist. Thescenes are so vividly depicted; I almost fell under the spell myself.
When Dorian tells his friend Gale about his 'find', andbrings him to see the vessel, he is inexplicably drawn to her, as well.  Obsession sets in.  They must have her.  Even with the dire warnings given in thelogbooks- nothing matters but 'The Black Witch'.
They invite a group of friends to join them as passengers tocelebrate The Black Witch's first launch. They head out into the mysterious opensea. It isn't long before pure evil rears its ugly head. Slowly each horrifiedpassenger comes to the realization that they are doomed and there is nothingthey can do about it.  Even the womanwith strange powers is no match for the powerful force driving 'The BlackWitch'.
Interviewwith the author- Micheal Rivers

There are so many intricate details describing the 'BlackWitch'.  Are you a sailing man yourself?
A: I grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I havealways had a great love for tall ships. For me they hold a beauty like no other.
Was there any personal inspiration for this story?
A: The inspiration for The Black Witch came from aculmination of the character of the Bankers (residents of the Outer Banks) anda long and hard won sense of pride. Tales of the sea are not uncommon therewith superstitions and spirits to fill the stories that are passed fromgeneration to generation.
Do you believe in psychic ability and astral projection?
A: I do believe in psychic abilities but I am stilllooking into Astral Projection. I have known several people who had abilitiesthat were beyond question. A family I know well lost 13 members of their familyin four months. These deaths ranged from SIDS to heart attacks and cancer. Thewoman predicted all of them by name except for one. She said she could not seethe face of the unnamed person.I really enjoyed your writing and I can't believe that thiswas your debut novel.  Whenever I read abook with such intense imagery, I am always in awe.  Do you have a special process that you gothrough when writing? 
A: Yes I do. I set up my story board before I ever do anactual outline. At this point a Pepsi and a cigarette come into play and thestory starts to roll. The outline is basic and changes as the story progresses.I found for me, sticking to a singular outline, or thought does not let mystory take a life of its own. The story has full control of the outcome.
This is a book that should be made into a movie.  Have you considered selling the screenrights?
A: If anyone was interested in putting the story onscreen I would be honored. At this time I have not been approached with anoffer.
I can't wait to read your other books, but I would love toknow what happens next!  Any chance of asequel?
A: I am going to be doing a sequel to The Black Witch. Ihave had a lot of readers request it so I will grant their wish. I thank themfor requesting it. To me that is a great compliment. Surprise!!! I am actuallyworking on the sequel now. The main character is named Drummond Fowl.


Buy 'The Black Witch' here.  
Follow Micheal on Twitter here.   
Visit Micheal's website here.

The Black Witch- she's irresistible

As I started reading 'The Black Witch', I was transported toanother time and place.    As I met thecharacters and followed them on their journey, I was drawn in by their idiosyncrasiesand flaws. And then the subsequent nightmare than ensued...
Dorian Coe and his wife, Diana are the first to discover 'TheBlack Witch', while shopping around for a sailing vessel.  They are immediately put under her spell andare willing to sacrifice their life savings to have her.  It's an evil spell that no one can resist. Thescenes are so vividly depicted; I almost fell under the spell myself.
When Dorian tells his friend Gale about his 'find', andbrings him to see the vessel, he is inexplicably drawn to her, as well.  Obsession sets in.  They must have her.  Even with the dire warnings given in thelogbooks- nothing matters but 'The Black Witch'.
They invite a group of friends to join them as passengers tocelebrate The Black Witch's first launch. They head out into the mysterious opensea. It isn't long before pure evil rears its ugly head. Slowly each horrifiedpassenger comes to the realization that they are doomed and there is nothingthey can do about it.  Even the womanwith strange powers is no match for the powerful force driving 'The BlackWitch'.
Interviewwith the author- Micheal Rivers

There are so many intricate details describing the 'BlackWitch'.  Are you a sailing man yourself?
A: I grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I havealways had a great love for tall ships. For me they hold a beauty like no other.
Was there any personal inspiration for this story?
A: The inspiration for The Black Witch came from aculmination of the character of the Bankers (residents of the Outer Banks) anda long and hard won sense of pride. Tales of the sea are not uncommon therewith superstitions and spirits to fill the stories that are passed fromgeneration to generation.
Do you believe in psychic ability and astral projection?
A: I do believe in psychic abilities but I am stilllooking into Astral Projection. I have known several people who had abilitiesthat were beyond question. A family I know well lost 13 members of their familyin four months. These deaths ranged from SIDS to heart attacks and cancer. Thewoman predicted all of them by name except for one. She said she could not seethe face of the unnamed person.I really enjoyed your writing and I can't believe that thiswas your debut novel.  Whenever I read abook with such intense imagery, I am always in awe.  Do you have a special process that you gothrough when writing? 
A: Yes I do. I set up my story board before I ever do anactual outline. At this point a Pepsi and a cigarette come into play and thestory starts to roll. The outline is basic and changes as the story progresses.I found for me, sticking to a singular outline, or thought does not let mystory take a life of its own. The story has full control of the outcome.
This is a book that should be made into a movie.  Have you considered selling the screenrights?
A: If anyone was interested in putting the story onscreen I would be honored. At this time I have not been approached with anoffer.
I can't wait to read your other books, but I would love toknow what happens next!  Any chance of asequel?
A: I am going to be doing a sequel to The Black Witch. Ihave had a lot of readers request it so I will grant their wish. I thank themfor requesting it. To me that is a great compliment. Surprise!!! I am actuallyworking on the sequel now. The main character is named Drummond Fowl.


Buy 'The Black Witch' here.  
Follow Micheal on Twitter here.   
Visit Micheal's website here.

It's a celebration!

I finally published 'Life Changes'.  It's the second book in the 'The Boy and The Girl' saga.  To celebrate I am going to award one lucky person with a Nook E-Reader.  Here's the scoop:


To celebrate the second book in the saga, I am offering the first book, 'Whatever Happened to The Boy?'
for only .99 cents on bargain books for the nook.  Each person that purchases this book before 2/12/12 is automatically entered in the sweepstakes to win the Nook- just send me your receipt at anirishpatel@gmail.com..  


'Whatever Happened To The Boy' is  anaction packed, coming of age with the main characters Ryan & Shari goingthrough a drama filled journey filled with violent lovers, attempted murder,sugar daddies, gay sadists and Ryan's coming out.


Happy Reading : )

The Emerald Cancer- what a wild ride!

I just finished reading 'The Emerald Cancer' and I'm still catching my breathe. This book was a thriller that keeps you guessing all the way to the end. But more importantly- for me at least- was the message that is revealed throughout the journey, becoming crystal clear at the end.

You quickly find yourself inside the heads of terrorists and the people who fight terror. Sometimes the lines become blurred and you wonder if they are all terrorists- in their own way. The main characters are involved in the IRA and UK security services. However, you get a glimpse inside the people involved in the PLO and the Israeli conflicts. I have to say- it's not for the faint of heart.
In order to understand the making of a terrorist, you have to look at the experiences of their lives. In most cases this extreme hatred is born of violence and the subsequent drive for revenge. Mr. Hulme shows you these scenes, sometimes in painful detail. But this tells me that the writer has done his job.
You are introduced to these characters and come to know them intimately. As you follow their lives it becomes clear what led them along their path. You begin to understand their actions and reactions. You may cringe at some of the ugliness and violence, but you cannot look away. You will be sickened by the depravity, cruelty and the incident of bestiality. But at that point you will be so immersed that you will find yourself wanting revenge and cheering when it happens. And you will know, in the back of your mind, that although this is a work of fiction, much of it is closer to the truth than you might like.
And in the end, you realize that even bitter enemies have a common thread. 
Sometimes people become so caught up in the hatred and revenge; they fail to see the real enemy.
Interview with the author, David Hulme
David your book was extremely well written. I couldn't believe you wrote it when you were only 23 years old ! How did you become so skilled at such a young age?
As a young police officer I was asked to interview a 67 year old man about a car accident. He was called Eric Young, to whom this book is dedicated.  He was a very interesting man, an American who had stowed away on a boat from New York at the age of 15 to come and fight for England in World War 2.  He had masses of life experience which I, of course, lacked. Although four years policing had made me grow up extremely quickly.  I told him I had written a book and he offered to read it and give me some constructive criticism.  After reading "my book" Eric told me that I only had a draft with cardboard cutout characters that needed fleshing out.  He offered to read everything I re-wrote and help with the editing process.  I still remember him saying, "Go away and re-write the first three chapters, make me feel for the characters, and prove to me that you can write and then I will help you."  I listened to his advice, went home and completed the re-write as he had suggested.  Eric insisted that every chapter I wrote needed to be a story in its own right and that he should be able to pick up my chapters like a deck of cards, shuffle them and still read the book and understand the story.  He was also very particular about the motivation behind the characters actions which you spoke about in your review.  I remember him saying that you have to be a particular type of person to be able to kill another human being and you need to explain to your readers what has made your characters able to do such horrible things.  And so began a short but wonderful friendship/ mentorship which only ended when Eric died.  Unfortunately, he never got to see the finished product as he died with the book only half written.  What he had done though was equip me with the writing skills necessary to finish the book.
Mr. Young would be very proud of you. You were able to accomplish each & every objective. David, does this story have any connection to you, personally?
As a young man I was very limited in terms of finances to travel to exotic places to create an international story so I decided to use what I knew, places and people, to write my thriller.  I was fortunate, in that as a police officer I was always meeting different people, larger than life characters, who made great material for the author's mill.  It enabled me to write about real people and places in a fictional context.  The mortuary scene is based on real life experiences and of course, I have encountered my fair share of death and dying which although not a pleasant experience, does add to the authenticity. 
I can speak confidently when I say that most people who read this will be begging for a sequel. Is there one in the works?
The short answer is yes, definitely, I'm working on it as we speak and really looking to explore further the strange relationship between Siobhan and Patrick.  I think it is important to explain to your readers and my potential readers why it has taken 23 years for me to write a second thriller.  I was absolutely, totally absorbed, addicted to writing when I wrote The Emerald Cancer but traditional publishers, although making very complimentary comments, were not prepared to take a risk with a new author in the early 90's.  I also had two children under 3 and felt that after two years typing in the bedroom and two years of trying to get it published, it was time for me to give some attention and support to my wife and children and concentrate on my career in the police.  I kept my manuscript through the intervening years always promising to return to it at some point in the future.  Last September I inadvertently stumbled across the kindle self publishing link on Amazon which re-awakened my interests in The Emerald Cancer and see it published today.
I'm delighted to hear that we can watch for the sequel.  I can only imagine the future interaction between Siobhan and Patrick. And I can speak for all of your fans, present and future, when I say that I'm so glad that you came upon Kindle!
Thanks you so much.
You can find 'The Emerald Cancer' here. You can follow David Hulme on Twitter here.

I'm Doing This For The Soldiers

It happened on the Amazon Kindle message boards.   Who would have ever guessed how it would grow. Smashwords author Ed Patterson met a U.S. soldier stationed in Iraq who wanted to download ebooks for his Kindle, but  his wireless download service didn't work in Iraq. So, Ed offered to email the soldier all 13 of his ebooks, for free. The soldier gratefully accepted. And this got Ed thinking...

Everthing happens for a reason.  This  was no chance encounter with the soldier &  Ed,  who was himself an Army veteran.  This was the inspiration and the conception of  "Operation Ebook Drop".  Ed got to work contacting  other indie authors on the Kindleboards message boards, asking if they too would be willing to offer their ebooks for free to troops deployed overseas.  Soon he had a couple dozen authors who volunteered their books.  Simultaneously, Ed began receiving additional requests for ebooks from soldiers and their families.

Ed and some of the authors started using Smashwords as the platform for distributing the ebooks to soldiers. Using the Smashwords Coupon Generator feature, authors are emailing 100%-off coupons to the soldiers.  As luck would have it, he got the attention of Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords.  When Mark learned about Ed's project, he wanted to do more to help. 

And so the humble "Operation Kindle Ebook Drop"started in 2009, has now morphed into something much bigger - "Operation Ebook Drop," and as of 1/22/2012. there are 1,235 participating authors.
Here's how you can get involved:
Authors and Publishers - If you're an author or publisher, email Ed and tell him if you'd like to offer free ebooks to participating troops. His email is ed#w#pat# @ #att#. #net (remove the #s and spaces). To create a 100%-off coupon, log in to your Smashwords account and click on the Coupon Manager link. Ed will email you book requests, and then you simply email the soldier a hyperlink to your book page, and the corresponding coupon code. From your Dashboard, coupon redemptions will show up in your Sales & Payment History Report, and you'll also receive instant email notification. If you're not yet a publisher with Smashwords (why not?), you can learn how publish with us by visiting our How to Publish with Smashwords page.

Deployed troops - All coalition military personnel deployed overseas who need multi-format ebooks are eligible. According to Ed, "If you're overseas and away from your home and loved ones, your dependence on reading might increase - and so we a gifting you ebooks for Kindle, Sony, iPhone, Blackberry etc." For free ebooks, please email Ed at the address above. Please note that the ebooks you receive may be shared with fellow deployed service members, but may not be distributed or shared elsewhere. Please also consider the coupon codes you receive as privileged information, not to be shared elsewhere. The participating authors are pleased to offer you their books.


Where to Learn More
The unofficial staging area for Operation Ebook Drop campaign is over at the Kindleboards message boards. Check it out, help out, and support the young men and women in uniform with some great reads! Operation Ebook Drop also has its own web site, here.

What a great opportunity to do something really meaningful.

The Versatile Blogger Award

The Versatile Blogger Award is an award that just keeps on giving.  I was honored to receive the award from the one and only  R.W.W. Greene.  What makes this award so unique is interaction involved in accepting the award and ultimately passing it along to well deserving nominees.  
Before I make the announcement for the future award winners, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the multi-talented  RWW Greene.  Rob- thank you so much.  I will never forget that you were the first person to follow my blog. You are also an awesome Twitter pal and an all around cool guy.  I'd also like to thank all the little people (you know who you are : )
Here are the official rules for the lucky recipients of 'The Versatile Blogger Award":
1. Thank the award giver and link back to them in your blog (Thanks again Rob!)
2. Share seven things about yourself.
My nickname is Dr Patel because of my (sometimes twisted) interest in the medical world ; )I have a little Maltese and a big Cockatoo that I consider my children.Pizza is my favorite food.I dislike gloomy weather.I enjoy spending time in cemeteries.I gave up Chardonnay for Lent and switched to Pinot Noir.  I've never looked back.I love to travel.Pass this along to fifteen blogs that you enjoy.
http://themanicheans.wordpress.com/ http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/ http://bookreviewsbytima.blogspot.com/http://dimitri-fictionromance.blogspo...http://suzannehill1978.com/ http://robbibryant.blogspot.com/http:...
And so in closing, I just want to say thank you again and to congratulate the new winners!