Angela White's Blog, page 18
March 12, 2012
How to Triple EBook Sales on Every Retailer- Part One
Hello and welcome to the first installment of my new Ebook
series. Over the next months, we'll be exploring many topics, such as:
How to properly format an epub to pass the validator
How to pick keywords
Where you can get stunning book covers for under $25.
Using Author Central Features-All of them
How to get hundreds of free reviews
How to increase sales on Amazon
What the hell is an unmainfested file and how do I kill it?
50 Marketing choices
How to launch a blog tour
My goal is to help a few of the determined authors out there
who have come to me for advice and assistance. I probably get 10 emails every
week from hopeful writers and this ebook series should help all of you.
Not a writer? Just here for the actual stories? You won't find
it in this ebook series, sorry. Maybe you should click the free stories link at
the top of the page. Thinking of doing this for a living? Then you're in the
right place. Come on, the meeting's starting…
First, you'll need to know a few things before me go any
further together:
FAQ
All advice should be taken with a grain of salt.
Sure, I'd be happy to answer a few questions. Just put them
in the comments.
No, I don't do book reviews but thanks for thinking of me. I
do like to read, though and gift copies are welcome at the email address below.
If I get around to it and like it, I may contact you for an interview for this
blog.
Yes, I offer a few services for authors. You can find them here (Tours and Covers) and here
(Amazon Sales Page Evaluation).
No, I am not responsible for your life, so don't blame those
mistakes on this ebook series. What worked for me may not go so well for you.
Use common sense.
You can contact me directly at: a7777777Angela@yahoo.com
Yes, I do it all myself, from formatting and covers, to
marketing.
No, I don't edit or provide that challenging service. I used
three very talented people. Finding your own should be at the top of your list.
No, I will not "review hunt" or post things I know aren't
true on other books. I have a moral line that prevents me from doing those
things. Don't you?
All right, now we can get to it. During march, I will tell
you how to triple existing sales on every retailer, but especially on
Amazon. We'll start with:
Ebook Pricing
I chose to tackle this first due to a recent jump in sales
that I attribute to my
novel finally being listed for free on Amazon. Over 2000 downloads the first
week, and hopefully those people will come back for books 2 and 3, which are
not free. That's why authors and publishing houses offer their titles for free.
To draw in more readers. And it works. I recommend having the first book in any
series, be listed as free in as many places as you can find to put it.
But I can't get Amazon
to lower it!
Yes, you can. Every
day for a week, use the "Report lower price" button and provide a link to where
it's already online at for free. After enough reports, they WILL lower it,
usually when they see real competition, like B&N or iTunes. Here are a few
other places you can upload it to for free: Scribd,
Wattpad,
your website and blog-(Dropbox is handy
for that). You can also place it free on FB and Twitter, just by using the
dropbox link on your wall.
Lower is better.
Traditional publishers charge upwards of $14.99 for newly
released ebooks but readers know it's free to make a copy of the finished
product and they won't pay it unless the author is a name brand. If you're not
King or Meyer (and who is?), then lower your prices. Greed doesn't equate to more
wealth, only less sales in this business. I have 10 books out right now and not
one of them is over $6. Give readers a nice deal wrapped around a good story and
they will come back for more.
I try to base prices on the amount of pages. For example, anything
under 150 pages, is a $.99 book for me. I know that's rough but no matter what
you, the publisher, or the hardcore fans think it's worth, readers just won't
pay the higher prices anymore. As soon as you lower it, you'll see sales pick
up. Don't think that's true? Lower it for a week and then put it back and then
compare your sales for that time. The economy is not recovering (Not matter
what The Great Not-There says!) and people can't afford to splurge like they
used to, even on ebooks. Give your readers a break and they'll like you more for
it.
My personal strategy is to have the first two books in any
series, listed for only $.99. That way, they get to read 2 parts of that story
to see if my style works for them, before they spend $3.99 for the rest. They
don't feel cheated even if they didn't like it, and it saves me some bad
reviews. Someone who paid $8.99 for a novel will be much harsher than someone
who paid $1.
Free Promotions/
Select Program
The new Kindle Select Program
is growing by leaps and bounds but downloads have dropped off. Why? Because the
authors are using their free promotions! There are more $0 titles on Amazon
right now than ever before. Why would a reader pay, or use a monthly lending
day, when so many free books are out there? Not sure, take a poll. Ask your
friends and fans how many free vs. paid books they have on their e-reader right
now.
This program will both help you and hurt you. How much
depends on how you have things set up. If you're mostly an Amazon seller,
you'll be fine and maybe even come out ahead in the monthly totals-Especially
if you have a good number of $.99 books. Last month's pay-off on the Select
program was better than $1.50 per download, where normally it would have been
just a 35% royalty. Nice increase there.
However, if you do well on other sites, don't rush to bring
all your books over to the KSP. You'll cost yourself $ and readership. Nook
user make up a large part of the e-reading population and offending them by not
making your books available at B&N could hurt you in the long run.
What if you're looking to concentrate on only one retailer?
Then honey, Amazon's the man!
Tip of the week:
Read this blog,
regularly. It is from one of only 2 self published Kindle Millionaires, about
how he handles pricing and many other issues. It's where my own ideas grew
from. I also suggest checking out Amanda
Hockings blog. She's the other self published Kindle Millionaire.
Coming next week:
Book Covers
Have you seen some of the garbage people are throwing over
their precious stories? It's like an ugly-fest on the charts. Next week, I'll
give you a short list of places where you can get a stunning book cover for
under $25, including one that sells beautiful premade covers with two lines of text
for only $5. Below are three examples.
Have a great week and no matter what else you do, write
something! Even a grocery list is better than nothing.
Angela White,
Author of Life
After War
"Seven very gifted survivors are destined to rebuild their country after a nuclear apocalypse...If they can stay alive long enough to find each other."
The Survivors: Book One
Now FREE on:
iTunes
Amazon
Kobo Books
Google eBooks
Author's Website
March 11, 2012
Sunday Story Trilogy(SST)-Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras by Angela White
Missing President, Found!
President Carter
Hines was discovered late last night wandering the beach nearly 27 days after
vanishing during the last day of Mardi Gras!
The newspaper headline glared boldly and by morning it
was on everyone's lips. Where had he been? Had he been kidnapped? Was he still
the President even though the power shift had happened two weeks ago? What had
happened to him during the last parade of Mardi Gras? The article under the headline was short and gave
few answers.
President Hines was found stumbling along the deserted
coastline of Martha's Vineyard last night, appearing hundreds of miles from
where he and six secret service agents vanished. The President was last seen on
July 18th, attending the final Day of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Celebrations
with the First Family. Reports say he and half a dozen bodyguards simply
disappeared from a public section of the parade route, while watching the
floats pass. The search shut down the city of New Orleans for two weeks and was
only called off three days ago, due to a lack of clues.
At one o'clock this morning, a coastguard patrol boat
found the battered man, alone, and crewmen were heard to remark he was
muttering about destroying the oil companies and placing PETA in a position of
authority.
Following his debriefing, the President? was reportedly
taken to Camp David to recuperate from his ordeal. No word has been released
yet on his mental condition, status as President, or what happened to him
during the three and a half weeks he was missing. There has also been no word
on how he disappeared from the middle of a crowded parade route without anyone
seeing.
The bottom of the article showed a haggard black man in
a grimy tuxedo staring blankly into the camera. In the far background, the
night lights of the coastguard ship flashed off a sludge covered beach that was
littered with the bodies of those killed by the massive oil spill. And in the
very corner of the photo, was the shadow of what could only be a great white
shark, its glittering black eyes seeming to also be watching the man get
rescued.
27 Days Earlier...
"Madri Gras has arrived."
The Sergeant's
grave words instantly brought quiet to the meeting under the Big Rock. They had
come together for the Plan, dozens of species which couldn't stand even the
sight of each other, here to work together on a common goal.
"Some of us
will not return from this mission. Those not back come next the moon cycle will
be honored for their noble sacrifice."
The huge Troll
looked around the den, his flickering yellow eyes sweeping the gathered
warriors. "They say we do not exist. We will show them otherwise. We will
stop them from destroying our very lives!"
There were
rumbles of agreement from the small herd of Cyclopses, all that remained in the
entire world now, but the Unicorns voiced a unanimous feeling.
"They don't
know that that every time they tell a child we don't exist, it wound us, slowly
kills us. They are ignorant."
The boulder above
trembled with the raised voices, most against the horned horses and the Troll
slammed his club against the earth, making it shudder. The dirt screamed in
protest and silence fell.
"It doesn't
matter. They are evil. Nature's soul has been ripped out and used for their
comforts! They have earned this for hurting the Mother!"
The thunderous
agreement came from even the pale symbols of purity behind her and the Unicorn
bowed her head in acceptance.
"Come dawn,
we will be by your side."
The Troll's voice was almost kind in response
but there was steel in the words. "We do not do this lightly. We have let
them almost wipe us from existence before joining Nature's army."
The lean Cyclops
stamped his paw in agreement. "Surely this will make them
understand."
The Troll
shrugged, not meeting his fellow mythical creature's eyes. "And maybe a
miracle will save us all. Until then, I fight!"
The Big Rock
shook again with angry voices and the birds in the nearby roots clucked in
satisfaction. Nature would be happy with how the recruiting was going this
time.
Humans had
finally done enough damage that even the most peaceful of life forms were
adding their strength to the fight. With the Unicorns now on board, more of the
most elusive creatures would too. Like the Dragons.
Small battles
were already taking place across the planet, sharks a common soldier, but for
the most part, humans still had no idea that war had been declared by The
Mother. They simply refused to accept the environment as a living, thinking
being and that was their mistake. It would also be their ultimate downfall, as
Nature had no mercy left to give.
Her first blows,
Katrina and the Indian Ocean Tsunami, had been felt worldwide but the worst was yet
to come. Mother Nature had reached her limit and humans had to go. Or she
would.
New Orleans
"We should go back now, Mr. President." The
agent suggested it firmly but the elegantly dressed man ignored his bodyguard.
"Look at those floats. So realistic." The
President moved closer to the parade line, the six agents roughly keeping the
crowd of screaming partier's back and the huge, exotic animals glided closer as
the Mardi Gras music increased in tempo.
"Look at that octopus! I'll bet it's 50 foot
wide." The President slipped under the caution rope, his agents protests
waved off, and they surrounded him in the street as the street performers moved
wildly by.
The men holding the eight legged octopus strings were
clever, short little beaver-like forms with huge teeth and fangs, and they
yanked the float down viciously as the President moved closer.
"Sir, we need to go back! It's too open here."
Carnival music shot into the air, vibrating the ground,
and it overwhelmed whatever response the man made. The crowd screamed in
delight as fireworks exploded above them, drawing every head upward, and very
few of the drunken partier's realized that the President and his agents could
no longer be seen for the huge octopus float.
When it rose back into the dark sky and moved on, he and
all six of his agents had vanished without a trace. The spots of oil in the
street ignored by those who came to investigate. Since the spill, it was
everywhere.
Madri Gras
Dedicated to all
the 'life forms' man has hurt, killed, destroyed completely, changed
irrevocably. I hope someday we'll actually deserve to share this planet with
you.
Want more? Here are two teasers with links
#1.
Endless Magic by Rachel Higginson - Free
(A personal note: I don't know
this first author. I found this free book on my new Kindle Fire and became
hooked. I am recommending it based on my own anticipation of the fourth book in
this series. I couldn't wait, despite the errors you'll notice. I think the
reviews are a bit unfair about her talent. Like me, she really does require a
constant editor. That being said, the prices are good, and the plots are a nice
mix of basic fantasy with a few surprises that will draw an emotion from you,
be it laughter or tears. And the final book, IMAO? Not as good as the first
three. 4 stars instead of 5, but very worth the time.
16 year old Eden Matthews has been in and out of private schools
for the last two years. She can't seem to stop herself from closing them down.
Kingsley is her last chance to finish high school and the last private school
willing to accept her. She is focused on just getting through graduation until
she realizes Kingsley is not like the other private schools she's been to.
The students may be different, but so is she. And after meeting
Kiran Kendrick, the boy who won't leave her alone and seems to be the source of
all her problems, she is suddenly in a world that feels more make-believe than
reality. To top it off, she is being hunted by men who want to kill Kiran and
her best friend Lilly is taken away to a foreign prison. Eden finds herself
right in the middle of an ancient war, threatening everything she loves. She
alone has to find a way to save her best friend and the boy who has captivated
her heart. Reckless is an intricate story about mystery, adventure, magic and
forbidden love. Eden Matthews is an unlikely heroine determined to save the
world and be with her one, true love before it's too late.
Endless Magic by Rachel Higginson
#2. Delivered to Eternity by Laura Yirak
(Personal Note: Laura has been a guest on my blog before and is a regular of C9 Tours, a division of my Publication company.)
Alesta is a nurse with a secret.
When babies start disappearing from her hospital, the police investigation
implicates her. The police, however, are the least of her problems, as her past
comes back alive. Such is the way with vampires.
Alexandria, Scotland has no idea
what's coming!
Delivered to Eternity is
fast-paced, thrilling and delivers it all, with a bit of bite, fear, all
wrapped up in Scottish humor.
I hope you've enjoyed this week's
Sunday Story trilogy. Please join us next time for Easter Surprises .
Have a nice week,
A. White
"Seven very gifted survivors are destined to rebuild their country after a nuclear apocalypse...If they can stay alive long enough to find each other."
The Survivors: Book One
Now FREE on:
iTunes
Amazon
Kobo Books
Google eBooks
Author's Website
Mardi Gras by Angela White
Missing President, Found!
President Carter
Hines was discovered late last night wandering the beach nearly 27 days after
vanishing during the last day of Mardi Gras!
The newspaper headline glared boldly and by morning it
was on everyone's lips. Where had he been? Had he been kidnapped? Was he still
the President even though the power shift had happened two weeks ago? What had
happened to him during the last parade of Mardi Gras? The article under the headline was short and gave
few answers.
President Hines was found stumbling along the deserted
coastline of Martha's Vineyard last night, appearing hundreds of miles from
where he and six secret service agents vanished. The President was last seen on
July 18th, attending the final Day of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Celebrations
with the First Family. Reports say he and half a dozen bodyguards simply
disappeared from a public section of the parade route, while watching the
floats pass. The search shut down the city of New Orleans for two weeks and was
only called off three days ago, due to a lack of clues.
At one o'clock this morning, a coastguard patrol boat
found the battered man, alone, and crewmen were heard to remark he was
muttering about destroying the oil companies and placing PETA in a position of
authority.
Following his debriefing, the President? was reportedly
taken to Camp David to recuperate from his ordeal. No word has been released
yet on his mental condition, status as President, or what happened to him
during the three and a half weeks he was missing. There has also been no word
on how he disappeared from the middle of a crowded parade route without anyone
seeing.
The bottom of the article showed a haggard black man in
a grimy tuxedo staring blankly into the camera. In the far background, the
night lights of the coastguard ship flashed off a sludge covered beach that was
littered with the bodies of those killed by the massive oil spill. And in the
very corner of the photo, was the shadow of what could only be a great white
shark, its glittering black eyes seeming to also be watching the man get
rescued.
27 Days Earlier...
"Madri Gras has arrived."
The Sergeant's
grave words instantly brought quiet to the meeting under the Big Rock. They had
come together for the Plan, dozens of species which couldn't stand even the
sight of each other, here to work together on a common goal.
"Some of us
will not return from this mission. Those not back come next the moon cycle will
be honored for their noble sacrifice."
The huge Troll
looked around the den, his flickering yellow eyes sweeping the gathered
warriors. "They say we do not exist. We will show them otherwise. We will
stop them from destroying our very lives!"
There were
rumbles of agreement from the small herd of Cyclopses, all that remained in the
entire world now, but the Unicorns voiced a unanimous feeling.
"They don't
know that that every time they tell a child we don't exist, it wound us, slowly
kills us. They are ignorant."
The boulder above
trembled with the raised voices, most against the horned horses and the Troll
slammed his club against the earth, making it shudder. The dirt screamed in
protest and silence fell.
"It doesn't
matter. They are evil. Nature's soul has been ripped out and used for their
comforts! They have earned this for hurting the Mother!"
The thunderous
agreement came from even the pale symbols of purity behind her and the Unicorn
bowed her head in acceptance.
"Come dawn,
we will be by your side."
The Troll's voice was almost kind in response
but there was steel in the words. "We do not do this lightly. We have let
them almost wipe us from existence before joining Nature's army."
The lean Cyclops
stamped his paw in agreement. "Surely this will make them
understand."
The Troll
shrugged, not meeting his fellow mythical creature's eyes. "And maybe a
miracle will save us all. Until then, I fight!"
The Big Rock
shook again with angry voices and the birds in the nearby roots clucked in
satisfaction. Nature would be happy with how the recruiting was going this
time.
Humans had
finally done enough damage that even the most peaceful of life forms were
adding their strength to the fight. With the Unicorns now on board, more of the
most elusive creatures would too. Like the Dragons.
Small battles
were already taking place across the planet, sharks a common soldier, but for
the most part, humans still had no idea that war had been declared by The
Mother. They simply refused to accept the environment as a living, thinking
being and that was their mistake. It would also be their ultimate downfall, as
Nature had no mercy left to give.
Her first blows,
Katrina and the Indian Ocean Tsunami, had been felt worldwide but the worst was yet
to come. Mother Nature had reached her limit and humans had to go. Or she
would.
New Orleans
"We should go back now, Mr. President." The
agent suggested it firmly but the elegantly dressed man ignored his bodyguard.
"Look at those floats. So realistic." The
President moved closer to the parade line, the six agents roughly keeping the
crowd of screaming partier's back and the huge, exotic animals glided closer as
the Mardi Gras music increased in tempo.
"Look at that octopus! I'll bet it's 50 foot
wide." The President slipped under the caution rope, his agents protests
waved off, and they surrounded him in the street as the street performers moved
wildly by.
The men holding the eight legged octopus strings were
clever, short little beaver-like forms with huge teeth and fangs, and they
yanked the float down viciously as the President moved closer.
"Sir, we need to go back! It's too open here."
Carnival music shot into the air, vibrating the ground,
and it overwhelmed whatever response the man made. The crowd screamed in
delight as fireworks exploded above them, drawing every head upward, and very
few of the drunken partier's realized that the President and his agents could
no longer be seen for the huge octopus float.
When it rose back into the dark sky and moved on, he and
all six of his agents had vanished without a trace. The spots of oil in the
street ignored by those who came to investigate. Since the spill, it was
everywhere.
Madri Gras
Dedicated to all
the 'life forms' man has hurt, killed, destroyed completely, changed
irrevocably. I hope someday we'll actually deserve to share this planet with
you.
Want more? Here are two teasers with links
#1.
Endless Magic by Rachel Higginson - Free
(A personal note: I don't know
this first author. I found this free book on my new Kindle Fire and became
hooked. I am recommending it based on my own anticipation of the fourth book in
this series. I couldn't wait, despite the errors you'll notice. I think the
reviews are a bit unfair about her talent. Like me, she really does require a
constant editor. That being said, the prices are good, and the plots are a nice
mix of basic fantasy with a few surprises that will draw an emotion from you,
be it laughter or tears. And the final book, IMAO? Not as good as the first
three. 4 stars instead of 5, but very worth the time.
16 year old Eden Matthews has been in and out of private schools
for the last two years. She can't seem to stop herself from closing them down.
Kingsley is her last chance to finish high school and the last private school
willing to accept her. She is focused on just getting through graduation until
she realizes Kingsley is not like the other private schools she's been to.
The students may be different, but so is she. And after meeting
Kiran Kendrick, the boy who won't leave her alone and seems to be the source of
all her problems, she is suddenly in a world that feels more make-believe than
reality. To top it off, she is being hunted by men who want to kill Kiran and
her best friend Lilly is taken away to a foreign prison. Eden finds herself
right in the middle of an ancient war, threatening everything she loves. She
alone has to find a way to save her best friend and the boy who has captivated
her heart. Reckless is an intricate story about mystery, adventure, magic and
forbidden love. Eden Matthews is an unlikely heroine determined to save the
world and be with her one, true love before it's too late.
Endless Magic by Rachel Higginson
#2. Delivered to Eternity by Laura Yirak
(Personal Note: Laura has been a guest on my blog before and is a regular of C9 Tours, a division of my Publication company.)
Alesta is a nurse with a secret.
When babies start disappearing from her hospital, the police investigation
implicates her. The police, however, are the least of her problems, as her past
comes back alive. Such is the way with vampires.
Alexandria, Scotland has no idea
what's coming!
Delivered to Eternity is
fast-paced, thrilling and delivers it all, with a bit of bite, fear, all
wrapped up in Scottish humor.
I hope you've enjoyed this week's
Sunday Story trilogy. Please join us next time for Easter Surprises .
Have a nice week,
A. White
"Seven very gifted survivors are destined to rebuild their country after a nuclear apocalypse...If they can stay alive long enough to find each other."
The Survivors: Book One
Now FREE on:
iTunes
Amazon
Kobo Books
Google eBooks
Author's Website
February 19, 2012
Inspiration- A guest post by Roberta Kagan
When I was a little girl
I discovered that my mother had a black suitcase in the basement. I was
forbidden to look inside. Of course, all you have to do is tell a child "NO"
and the next time my mother was out, I ran downstairs and opened the suitcase.
Inside I found letters that been censored and pictures of people I'd never met.
My curiosity got the better of me, so I asked my mother what all of this was.
She explained that this small bunch of paperwork was all she had left of her
entire family in Germany. For years this haunted me. Finally I began to
research. I have since written several novels and short stories set in that
period.
Although I never discount the horrors of the Holocaust, and my heart goes out
to the 11 million who died (Jews and non-Jews), my main goal is to bring
knowledge of what happened to as wide an audience as possible.
I am hoping that
Jews and non-Jews alike will read my books and realize that under the skin we
are all the same. We are all God's precious children. Thanks so much for
reading my work. I send you all many blessings.
Roberta Kagan
Trial by a Higher Court
All My Love, Detrick
February 16, 2012
Kindle Nation Daily Bargain Book Alert: Angela White's THE SURVIVORS: BOOK ONE (LIFE AFTER WAR) is Our eBook of the Day, Currently FREE, With 3.7 Stars on 55 Reviews, and Here's a Free Sample! | Kindle Nation Daily
Kindle Nation Daily Bargain Book Alert: Angela White's THE SURVIVORS: BOOK ONE (LIFE AFTER WAR) is Our eBook of the Day, Currently FREE, With 3.7 Stars on 55 Reviews, and Here's a Free Sample! Kindle Nation Daily
Would you like to be featured on The Apocalypse Book Blog? Please see the Tours tab.
Would you like to be featured on The Apocalypse Book Blog? Please see the Tours tab.
January 26, 2012
Jan. News, Notes, & Something New
Welcome to my first post of the year!
Let me start with
what you want the most-No, I'm sorry but there's no new news on Adrian's
Eagles. Yes, I've included a part from it at the end of this post. And I'm
hoping for feedback.
So why am I on here, when I should be working on AE?
News
Books 1-3 have been edited again and are now live on the
usual retailers. These copies are really good and they've been gone over a lot.
All the beta readers and the new editors involved have been wonderful.
I've been in contact with Amazon and they've agreed to
update current editions. They should be sending out emails about it in the next
few days, to everyone with a copy on their device. One book at a time, I would
imagine but you can speed the process up by contacting them yourselves at the
link below and asking for them to update it now.
Contact Amazon-Updating
This means Life
After War (LAW) will also be updated, so if you would like to have a copy
of both versions, I would suggest picking up the LAW edition, which contains
books 1-3, before Monday, Jan 30th. After that, all available books
will be the new copies.
I hope you'll like it more. There seems to be less confusion
due to the structural changes and I'll tell you now that Kendle's entire story
has been removed from book one. Her tale of horror and triumph now begins in
book two, where it should have all along.
Notes
Print copies are also now available on Amazon (Links below)
and I'm sorry about the pricing. I put them as low as I could for that many
pages. I personally love ebooks and
doubt I'll ever buy another bound book in my lifetime. Clearly, I'm a fan of
the new publishing industry.
The Survivors -Book One-Print
On The Road -Book Two-Print
Safe Haven -Book Three-Print
The schedule for this blog hasn't been chosen yet for 2012
but I hope to have that settled in the next few weeks, along with a firm and
final date for Adrian's Eagles.
Many of you have sent emails and left comments or reviews
and I just wanted to say how good it makes me feel to know other people love
Life After War the way I do. Thank you and I'm sorry if I haven't answered you
yet. I will, my word on it. Unless you're crazy and in that case, I'll have the
Witch email you. She's better at that stuff than I am.
I should also say a thank you to my two newest editors,
Dennis and Jill. Welcome aboard!
Book One, The Survivors, in PDf format, is now a free book
on this blog. I'm hoping that in time, Amazon will reduce its price as well.
Feel free to hit the report link below and notify them of the lower price. I
want this first part to be available to anyone so people can have a chance to
see if they like my writing before they spend any money. The Dropbox link
in the right side bar is for book one and provides a little detail about how
the download actually works. It will be free for a while, so tell your friends!
Report Lower Price
To report it, look for the Amazon direct
link at the bottom of the product details, which is below the description. It
will say tell us about a lower price
Something New
(These
scenes take place roughly half way through the book.)
Sam
groaned inwardly as she read her schedule. Babysitting? She didn't even like
kids. That she knew of, Sam amended. She hadn't been around many and they
intimidated her a little. What was she supposed to do with them?
Determined
not to whine, she got a mug of tea and headed for the children's area. Still
feeling awkward, she only gave a short nod or smile to those who called
greetings. When she saw the three Eagles waiting at the campers, she tripped,
sloshing steaming liquid over her injured hand.
"Damn
it!"
Jeremy
turned to frown at whoever was cursing so close to the kids but exchanged the
reprimand for a smile of welcome instead. He had personally asked Adrian to
assign the blonde woman here today.
"We're
waiting on two others and then we'll head out."
"Where
to?"
"It's
field trip day. This time, we're hitting the town."
Confused
but not wanting to look clueless, Sam waited near him, glad the high-level
Eagle was talking to her when Neil came through the shadows. He had questions
lurking in those beautiful green eyes, hard ones she didn't want to answer.
"There
they are."
Sam
stiffened. Cynthia was walking quickly next to Peggy. The reporter was asking
little Becky's mom things she didn't want to reveal either, Sam thought, seeing
the redhead's face tighten. Didn't Cynthia realize she was trying to pry
information from a convert? Even if she knew something, Peggy wouldn't tell the
reporter.
"Hey,
Neil."
"Mrs.
Kelly."
"Peggy."
Neil
flushed at the tone. It said when, you marry my daughter, you'll call me mom,
and Neil refused to look at Samantha. Did she know?
The
camper door opened as their eyes met and the excited voices of young children
sent Sam's nervous tension up another level.
"All
right, everyone. Each chaperone will be responsible for two children. The kids
get to pick."
Sam
sighed resignedly, eying the sticky-faced kids with trepidation. Some days were
just hell.
Kyle
moved toward the center table with casual steps, sure what he was about to do
would be hated by the sullen Marine on Adrian's right.
Steeling
his nerves (it still amazed him that he felt any hesitation at all considering
the missions he and his Eagles had completed since the war) Kyle moved to
Angela's side of the crowded center table.
"Hey,
Kyle. Did you come for the coffee?"
"Cause
this ain't it!"
The
table laughed at the obviously used joke and the Mobster grinned back, eyes
full of warning Adrian took note of, "Me and the boys are headin out. Thought
I'd see if the Rookie wants to come along."
Silence
fell over the table and those around them, and then the entire Mess.
"Great
idea. You interested in a taste of what's coming?" Adrian asked and Angela
grinned, able to feel his pleasure and Kenn's fury. It hadn't been planned.
"When?"
"Fifteen?"
Kyle answered.
Angela
snorted, "I'll be ready in five like the rest of the team."
Kyle
chuckled and they moved toward the tent area, not looking at any of the shocked
camp around them.
There
had been rumors and stories since the airfield and gun test but no actual
confirmation until now. It was true. She'd been accepted as an Eagle, a woman
who had only been in camp for a week.
Silence
reigned in the Mess and it took Neil's full control to play his part
convincingly. He and Kyle had worked it out last night.
"Never
seen a woman shoot that well. Not even before. She hits 90% of all targets in
level 4!"
Adrian
grinned, voice perfectly in awe, "Few more like that and we'd have enough
shooters in camp to keep any bad guys off our asses."
"Takes
guts to join the Eagles. You think there are more here like that?"
Adrian
let his blue gaze sweep the openly listening people, making pointed contact
with a few, one that caused even more frowns.
"Yes,
but they'll come out when they're ready." Adrian went back to his lunch and the
camp did the same, muttering and whispering. One of those he had looked at was
only 15!
Adrian
gave Neil a subtle nod of approval and then moved them onto camp business. "All
right, the day's schedules are out and we'll need to …"
"He's
very happy with you."
Kyle
grinned at Angela's low words, "Then I'm doing it right."
"Thank
you. I know it's for him, but thank you anyway."
The
mobster raised a bushy brow, "It is for you. If you didn't deserve the chance,
he wouldn't be giving it to you." Kyle made a motion to the men in the parking
area, most of them loading the one Excursion.
Assuming
he had told them how long till he'd be there, Angela quickened her step. "I can
meet you there if you like."
Kyle
shook his head, eyes sweeping the area, "My team is your shadow today."
Realizing
what that meant, she ducked into the small tent that never failed to remind her
of her lost time with Brady, "Two minutes."
In
half that time, she emerged from the tent in the rookie gear that had been lying
near her tent flap this morning and slung the single bag over her shoulder,
still smiling. No secret guard. They would be outside the camp and away from
prying eyes for a few hours. Finally!
Kyle
could feel her excitement, her happiness rubbing off on him and he followed her
to the vet area with a light step. It was gonna be a good day.
"One
minute." Angela ducked into the tent to see her son and the vet in the middle
of feeding the ever-growing zoo and she stayed near the flap, out of their way.
"I'll
be out of Camp today. Have Mitch call if you need me."
Charlie
was glad she was still being cautious about their gifts, just like before.
"Okay. Be careful."
Angela
tried not to frown, "Okay mom."
The
teenager smiled, rolling his eyes and after a quick look at Chris, she joined
Kyle.
"All
ready."
Kyle
looked at his watch as he got them moving toward the waiting men. Less than
four minutes, including walk time. It was impressive for the team but for a
female? It was slightly unnerving and they moved in silence.
Kyle
halted near the bumper and the men gathered around him, "Let's do the usual
check. Weapons?"
Each
of the nine men started checking their guns and Angela did the same, feeling
awkward despite her fingers doing mostly what she wanted them to. They were going
over their other weapons now, guns in boots and knives on belts and she did a
quick look to make sure her wrist blade was fastened securely, received
approving looks that she had a backup.
"Communication?"
Each
man had a belt they were strapping around their hips and securing to their
right pocket and Angela barely had time to wonder if she should ask for one
before it was being held out to her.
A
simple walkie-talkie setup, she grinned in recognition and flipped through the
dials to channel 107 before powering it up. The set cracked to life, blaring
static and she flipped the filter switch and then adjusted the volume. Very glad she didn't have to wait for them to
show her or worse, have to suffer through the jolt, she didn't look up, "Did he
give you the headsets yet? Those are great. They automatically catch the spark
and adjust."
There
was silence, thick and long and she glanced up to see them sharing upset looks,
"Did I do something wrong already?"
Kyle
moved her way, "Not you."
She
frowned in concentration. What had… her eyes narrowed, "He didn't tell you to
go to channel 107 first so there's no shock."
There
was only the sound of their anger and she stiffened in surprise when she picked
it from their thoughts, "Not on purpose. He just didn't want to say he forgot
and makes the rookies test it out." she shrugged. "That's the Kenn I know."
The
Eagles were muttering, casting dark looks toward the man still sitting stiffly
on Adrian's right and Kyle continued, voice not quite calm anymore, "Gear?"
They
were comparing their bags to the sheets of paper from their pockets and Angela
was ready this time, going to Kyle instead of the other way around. She did her
look fast, frowning at all the items she didn't have.
"I'm
short a canteen."
"I
need a battery pack."
Angela
sucked in a breath, "I need a complete pack."
There
were more approving nods and then one was in her hand.
Not
sure if her own items were off-limits, she settled for the three she used the
most and then tossed her bag through the open window of her blazer.
"All
right. Who's the sucker on drive detail?"
"Rookie."
"Rookie."
"Rookie
drives."
Angela
flushed as all eyes swung to hers and she shrugged, "Okay."
Daryl
tossed her the keys and she was very aware of the camp watching her get into
the driver's seat of Kyle's vehicle. The black Ford Excursion was long, with
three rows of seats and she had to move hers all the way up to reach the
pedals.
She
strapped herself in, waiting for Daryl to climb in beside her and she leaned
closer, "Why is the driver a sucker?"
The
Eagle grinned, instantly liking the way she smelled, "Cause Kyle likes to go
where no man has gone before."
Understanding
her driving skills were about to be tested, Angela waited calmly for everyone
to get set. She loved driving.
Kyle
paused at the back door, eyes going to the center table and he caught Adrian's
nod. It said to do his job and the mobster gave a motion in response. He would.
It
took a while for the kids to pick their chaperones and Sam smiled uneasily when
a girl with short brown spikes pointed her way. The girl looked to be about
eight and was sporting a signature-covered cast on her wrist. Next to her, was
another girl of roughly the same age, this one so thin that Sam's heart
clenched.
The
smile she gave this time was more genuine and both girls moved her way with
giggles. Each one wanted her hand and Sam reluctantly surrendered her tea to
let them hold onto her.
Sticky
and warm, she waited restlessly with them as everyone got set, trying not to
look at Neil. She'd seen little Becky's blunder yesterday and though the
trooper had refused, the idea that he was willing had to have come from
somewhere. Did he have a thing for cute teenager? If so…
"What's
your name?" They were both waiting; thin girl's face hopeful and Sam put her
thoughts away for now.
"Sam."
They
both giggled. "That's a boy's name!'
Not
offended, she grinned back, "I've heard
that."
"Why
do you have a boy's name?"
"Is it a shortner?"
Confused
by the garbled word, Sam shrugged, "My mom wanted a girl, Samantha. My dad
wanted a boy, Sam. This way, they both got their wish."
They
laughed harder, sharing amused looks. "That's silly."
Smiling
Sam let them enjoy themselves; thinking until they made it here, there probably
hadn't been much of it.
She
saw Neil get chosen by two very energetic boys that looked to be the same age
group as her charges. The kids were bouncing, excited and she realized field
trip day must be something they looked forward to. The rest of the time, Adrian
kept them isolated for their safety and these moments out of the camper area
were probably treasured, she thought.
Their
lives had been turned around too and she felt the need to give them a good day
if she could. They were war orphans and the bond she suddenly felt was
something she wouldn't tell any of them but it was there just the same. She'd
lost her family too, along with everything else she had depended on for
stability, sanity. Her grip tightened just a bit. They deserved a fun day and
she would be proud to help give it to them.
"Everyone
ready?"
There
was a loud cheer from the kids. "Yeah!"
"All
right, first stop is…Safe Haven's secret hideout!"
This
cheer was twice as loud and Sam let the girls lead her through out of the area.
They were right behind Peggy and her group of five tweens and Sam didn't envy
the redheaded woman's sulky twelve year old charges.
The
line moved slowly across the camp, drawing attention from those already up and
everyone waved. Kids roaming the streets before the War were a sight to be
frowned upon or ignored for their poverty. Here, children were rare and
welcome, no matter their condition.
"Must
be field trip day." Seth joked, stopping in front of the group, "Unless you
guys snuck out again?"
There
were snorts and giggles all around.
"We
didn't escape." one of Peggy's girls retorted sharply, tossing a dark braid
over her shoulder, "And you know it. So come on and let us in!"
Sam
frowned at the rudeness but noticed Seth and Neil only smiled.
"But
I don't know for sure." the cute guard protested, "Bad guys look like anyone,
right?"
The
younger kids nodded, quieting at their own mental horrors and the girl's voice
was grave, "Yes. Even like you and Adrian."
"Exactly
and that's why I have to ask every time anyone comes through."
"Little
kids can't be bad guys."
This
came from another of Peggy's group and again, Sam was glad of the two calmly
listening kids that had chosen her.
"Yes,
they can."
Neil's
hard voice snapped Sam's head to him.
"They
don't always know because the grownups are sneaky. Sometimes they ask kids to
do things that are wrong."
"And
do you banish them too?"
One
of his little boys asked, clinging to his arm and Neil shook his head, "Never.
It's not a kid's fault when a grownup makes them do bad things."
"Then
the grownup should be punished." the braid-swinging girl exclaimed brutally,
"Not us!"
"Yes.
If a grownup tries to get you to do things you think are bad, don't. Lie to
them and say you will and then come tell Adrian." Seth instructed and Sam began
to realize this was a training moment.
The
redheaded guard checked his watch and looked around, "I wonder where he is this
time?"
The
kids all let out another loud cheer, startling Sam and she watched warily as
they all began darting around, dragging their chaperones. Hide-n-seek?
"There
he is!" Ponytail girl screamed, pointing up and the kids clustered around the
trunk of the tree Adrian was sitting in.
"What's
the password?" Adrian barked at them, making Sam jump and then grin when the
kids all responded.
"We
love America!"
Adrian
snapped a salute,"You may enter!"
He
jumped down and was immediately smothered with little bodies hugging, tackling,
and wrestling him to the ground.
Sam
grinned again, surprised Adrian was so popular with the kids and when she
started to move closer, worried about the little girl with the broken wrist,
Neil caught her eye, "He's got them."
And
he did. From tickling back and chasing, to a quick hug and smile, it was clear
the kids adored Safe Haven's leader.
"How
are you?"
Sam
shrugged, aware of more than one set of ears listening, "Adjusting." she raised
a brow, unable to resist even though she had serious doubts about his sense of
humor, "Did he get all the mud off his jacket?"
Neil's
face went red and he pleased her by lowering his voice and returning the joke,
"I was afraid to ask."
Sam
chuckled, drawing more attention, "I'm sure he's had worse." she commented,
watching Adrian start a game of tag.
"You
two ready for some coffee?" Peggy called and Sam was glad to hear that her tone
was friendly enough.
"No
thanks." Neil answered.
Sam
moved to get a cup, needed the caffeine rush to fully wake (that or danger) and
was careful to throw out the air that she wasn't to be messed with.
She
watched Peggy's eyes cool. Good. If she decided she wanted the uptight trooper,
Peggy and her spunky daughter wouldn't get in the way.
"Thanks."
Peggy
nodded and Sam hung around her for a moment as she sipped the strong brew,
waiting to see if there might be a threat but there was only a series of cool
looks exchanged. Because the mother wanted to keep the peace? Becky didn't care
about the rules. Why would her parent? From all appearances, she wanted Neil to
be her son-in-law even though her child was only that, a 15 year old kid.
Some
mother, Sam thought, moving back toward Adrian and the happily running orphans.
To Sam's mind, Becky was a baby compared to Neil. Did that mean she was
attracted to another man with mental problems? Maybe that was the only kind…
"Okay
everyone, line up."
Peggy's
voice echoed firmly and all the dusty kids flew her way after promises of
another round from Adrian.
"Get
with your chaperone and you can go on in." the redhead instructed.
Sam's
two girls clutched her hands eagerly, almost dragging her forward, "Come on!"
Laughing,
Samantha moved faster into the area she'd noticed a few days ago and wondered
about. Hilda had said it was where Adrian taught his army to be men and she
stepped inside almost as eagerly as the kids. To her amusement, she loved it as
much as they did.
Instead
of the adult setup that would have to normally be used, the long tent was
filled with half-sized equipment. Kid-sized, she corrected herself, letting the
little girls lead her to the circular obstacle course in the middle.
"We
hafta warm up." Sam surrendered the second hot drink in an hour and began
helping the girl with the cast remove her shoes and socks.
Thinking
she might have to learn their names soon, Sam paced them as they walked the low
beam, rolled under empty boxes, and jumped over gaps in the mat. She kept a
close eye on the girl in the cast and finally had to call out; "Hey you", when the
little girl leaned too far over the beam. "Be careful...what's your name?"
The
girl hopped down with a grin, cast bumping against the hard wood with a loud
thunk that made Sam wince, "Tracy. That's Leeann." she turned to point at the
thin girl, "The rest of them are…"
The
recital went on for a while and Sam tried to keep up and still watch out for
Leeann.
"Your
turn!"
Sam
blinked. Turn? Surely it wouldn't…She watched Peggy heft herself onto the first
beam and move across smartly before rolling under the boxes in an awkward shove
that sent cardboard flying.
The
kids giggled hard and Sam moved to the beam with Tracy, who was now ready to do
the paralleling. "When ever you're ready."
The
little girl called, holding up her casted wrist and Sam grinned. They knew to
take her place. How cute…and terrible that it was necessary. Sighing, she moved
steadily along the wood, trying not to wince at a lane of pain in her old
injury that keeping her leg straight was causing. If Peggy could do it, so
could she.
"You
want me to do what?"
Cynthia's
voice drew Sam's eye. She had mostly forgotten about the reporter and she turned
to see a boy with a bandage on his hand hopping up and down in protest.
"Run
course!' he ordered and Cynthia shook her head, "Not me."
"But
I can't ifin you don't!"
The
child shouted but the woman only shook her head again, "Sorry, kid."
Sam
looked down at her girls, "Wanna run the course with him? You'll have to show
me how."
"Yeah!"
They
drug her to Cynthia and Sam snagged the boy's uninjured hand, "Come on."
The
child's face lit up and Cynthia stuttered her thanks, embarrassed.
"Uh-hu." Sam didn't offer more but her tone
said shame on you! and Neil grinned
along with the other adults. The Storm Tracker was okay.
Adrian's
Eagles- $3.99- Available for preorder.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the New Year!
See you next time,
Angie
December 21, 2011
December News, Notes, and Something New
So we've survived another year. Will this be our last?
As many of you know, today is exactly one year before the
infamous date of 12/21/2012, when the world is set to end. 365 days left. Worry
over it or not, the end of the world fascinates some of us. We seek it in film
and literature and even in our own lives. We'll give up date night for the
apocalypse and even devote time and money we can't afford to visit those
horrific landscapes. Maybe there should be a 12 step program for us too…
"Hello, my name is
Angie and I'm an end of the world junkie…"
Or maybe
"There are more of us
than them now, so we don't have to hide anymore."
"By us, you mean?"
"The PA lovers, of
course."
"You mean there are
people who don't like post apocalyptic fiction?"
"Don't ask me. I've
never understood it."
Some of the best end of the world entertainment was created
before we were born and the market has been saturated since then. Some of it
good, most bad, there have also been a few that were outstanding. My all time
favorites will always include The Postman, The Stand, Mad Max, and the Terminator
series, though most of the PA in that one didn't come until the third
installment. Those are classics that's I've adored all my life. Then came the
asteroid wave and a surprising thing happened. Man-made disasters were replaced
on the top of that mental chart by a single film that many people have
forgotten.
Armageddon was good, sometimes too funny to be realistic but
solid thanks to BW. but Deep Impact (IMAO) was better with its almost taboo topics and stellar cast.
You can't go wrong with a Freeman, and the powerful horror and injustice still
has me crying every time I watch it. Deep Impact is an amazing PA film, unlike
"2012" and I Am Legend, which only disappointed. I've often thought this film
was neglected by the main public because so many of the characters were lost
but without those emotional parts, it would have only been just another
adventure flick set in the apocalypse.
Character interaction is what is comes down to. Don't give
me lame. I've lived long enough to know real change and emotions take time.
Thoughts require repetition to take effect. Show me what makes them tick and
then bring them together in ways I can't anticipate. You want me to love them?
Okay. Write it so I can.
Notes
I spend a lot of time on personal development (And get
blasted in reviews for how long it takes) but making it believable even though
it's fantasy and horror, is my job. When I first began Life After War, Cesar
and his group were only a twist meant to further the setting. Once I got into
it, I asked myself if that group of Mexican males would really just go home
after conquering their first town with no resistance. From that moment, the
Slavers have become a driving force in the book, pushing the refugees toward
Adrian and the safety he's trying to create. If these people had shown up there
without the reader seeing what they'd gone through, all those special moments
of triumph and strength would mean shit. Instead, you feel what they do. That's
why there had to be an On The Road. Without that journey, none of them are able
to give Adrian what he needs. There has to be time for the old to wear off.
For me, that's the next 6-8 weeks. I'll be around but even
less than now. I have a huge list of new goals for 2012 and I need some time
away from social marketing and online business to make them happen. I've
already began some of them, such as the new design of this blog and my website.
I've also been working hard to get the first three books in this series
professionally edited before Adrian's Eagles is released. And I've failed in
that.
News
It will be another 2-3 weeks before the new editions of
books one, two, and three are ready and I refuse to release another title until
those are done. I especially refuse to put Book 4 out there, the best of the
series so far, to be ignored because of bad reviews on the first three.
The comments have
been very harsh and personal. Did you know I'm a racist gay-basher? It came as
news to me that when it's in my book, that means its how I feel or am. Amazing,
the stupidity and nerve of some people! But I can handle personal attacks and
differences of opinion on how many types of nuclear detonations there are. -More
than you think but mainly two, not one, like a reviewer bashed me for, claiming
he knew because he lived in the area where there are a lot of silo's and such.
That's like Palin's Russia comment-it makes no sense!-("I know about Russia
because I can see it from my backyard.")
But I digress…It's hard sometimes to not answer these
unhappy folks but I manage by knowing that most people who read book one(An
average of 75% according to 8 months of stats) like the series and come back
for book two. It's the reviews that are true, that hurt me and I just can't go
through that again with Adrian's Eagles. Please forgive me for the delay. I
have two editors now; Daryn Malof and Mike Clancy, and in just a couple weeks,
we'll be all set for the new book. The end of January seems the best hope,
though it will be sooner if there's any way we can do it. These two wonderful
guys are having to go through every sentence. That's takes time when there are
150,000 + words per book. I'm looking at 2012 as a new start and I can't get
that until I change the mistakes of the past.
Something New
I feel bad about the delay on AE, so I'm giving you a bit of
that book I hadn't planned on. It has NOT been edited yet, so please don't
expect magic just yet. Still, it's better than being left high and dry and I
hope you'll enjoy it.
In this scene, Angela
has just asked Adrian to be an Eagle. Before he'll give an answer, there's a
test she has to pass.
"Adrian has sent all of you here for various reasons and I
promise you'll leave bleeding. Be sure. This is no easy lesson."
Doug looked around at the five men waiting eagerly. "You'll
notice there are some other s here, watching. They've been invited to see what
you have to go through to become an Eagle. Don't disappoint them or him by
giving up, just because of a little pa…"
Doug looked up to see Angela step from the shadows and when she gave him a cool
nod that said she had Adrian's permission to be here, he winced but kept going.
"This lesson will cover the basics of a type of fighting
that all Eagles must be proficient in by level four. Kenn and Jeremy will
demonstrate until the teacher arrives."
The dozen men craned their necks eagerly, as did those
supervising. Kenn and Neil's right hand man were a match up that hadn't
happened yet.
"If you watch this and think; I'd never be able to stand
that, leave as soon as you have the thought, because you're right. If you see
the blood and think that's okay, I'll take a Tylenol before it starts, you
might belong here."
Angela moved slowly toward the small ring of hay bales,
stomach in a hard knot. He hadn't said Kenn would be here. "You didn't ask."
The Witch told her, "Now you know better."
Kenn and Jeremy were already trading hits but not the
average punches. These blows were done with sharp, fast jerks and graceful
slides into the other man's personal space to deliver a vicious hit to the
kidneys. This was the fighting Adrian and Neil had done while they were in the
Qz and Angela moved closer to get a better view.
"You'll notice it's quick in and even faster out. This type
of fighting is called Mai and only one person in camp knows all of it. He'll be
here in a few minutes to start your training."
Angela assumed he meant Adrian and wondered if he and Kenn
would be fighting. Jeremy was good but not nearly enough and Kenn was busy
beating on him, using Neil's moves. Had the state trooper trained her Marine or
had he already known this style?
"Mai accomplished two things, fast. It causes severe pain
and puts your opponent out of commission for a while."
With those words, both men delivered two of the ugliest hits
Angela had ever seen and Jeremy hit the dirt.
"Not just anyone can be good at it. Tonight, you only have
to survive." Doug waved at the biggest of the five pale men. "Jake, you're up."
"Aren't you eating?"
Neil shook his head, sipping his water as he watched her
devour a plate of fries covered in ketchup. "I have a lesson in a few minutes."
Sam frowned. "I thought we were going somewhere."
"We are."
He was taking her to watch his lesson? She shrugged. "Okay."
A little disappointed, she went back to her fries and Neil
hid a grin. She thought he was taking a test and wanted to show off. Good.
She'd be distracted from her thoughts for a while.
They'd spent a quiet ten minutes at the center table, the
crowd around them falling silent the instant they'd gotten in line and it
hadn't changed. There were a hundred eyes on them and Sam's face had acquired a
permanent pink streak across both cheeks.
"So I'm really not supposed to be at this table, right? That's
why they're all staring."
Neil shook his head, vice low. "Sorry, I thought you knew.
Their surprised because I've never done this before."
Sam blinked. "Done what? Had a meal…" Her eyes widened.
"They think we're on a date!"
He nodded, grinning a little and she raised a brow. "Are
we?"
Put on the spot, he couldn't lie but his first thought was
yes. "Not unless you'd like it to be."
Not expecting a devotion of affection, she wasn't offended
and even teased him back. "And if I did, Mr. Arizona?"
Neil smiled, eyes saying more than his mouth was. "I'd be
flattered and happy to play along."
Now, the sting was there but she still went on like it
wasn't. "I'll let you know. I'm not sure I like how you asked."
They were both laughing as they stood up and Sam was very
glad to be out of the Mess a moment later. Out here, it was just the gritty
breeze, the darkness she'd been in since the war, and Neil's comforting body
next to hers.
"I'll only be there for a half an hour and then we can do
something else if you're still wound up." He leaned a bit closer than he
normally did with any female. "I know the boss. I can sneak you into the
training tent for a quick workout."
Sam laughed, sliding
into his personal space with no hesitation. "Can I have the sweaty towel too?"
"Of course."
Still chuckling, the couple moved toward the area that Angie
had found only by using her gifts.
"Now that each of you have had warm-up, Neil will show you
three basic moves that you'll practice every day on your own. Do it or not,
you'll still have to get by him for every test and he's no easy mark." Kenn's
tone was gloating; he'd beaten on all five of the bloody men now listening with
a much clearer idea of what they'd signed up for. "When he calls you in to the
tent leave your gun out here."
During the last two matches, Angela had been looking more at
those gathered for the lesson, than at the battles themselves, sensing Kenn
might be hitting harder than he had to in order to show off for her. If he
thought she wasn't paying attention, he would get it over with faster and not
hurt them as much.
While she was running her eyes over the half a dozen extra
observers, she'd gotten only hostility, none of them willing to accept that she
too was one of Adrian's hand picked Eagles and it made her angry. She had as
much right to be here as they did and besides, she wanted to be able to do
this. Mai was harsh enough to allow her to handle even Kenn. She'd thought
about it after seeing the matches in quarantine and here it was; the chance to
know. She already had a lot to thank Adrian for and she wasn't about to let
Kenn or any anyone else stop her.
"Here's the teacher now."
Everyone turned to see Neil and Samantha emerging from the darkness. "First man
to the tent, Tucker."
Neil nodded toward Angela, hoping she wasn't on the list
waiting inside the small tent behind the gathered men. "Keep her company, will
ya?"
Sam nodded, not sure the dark headed woman wanted it and she
stopped a few feet away as Neil ducked into the tent.
The two women exchanged polite smiles but not words and they
listened to the sounds curiously.
"And you're sure?"
"Yes."
"Then let's get to it."
There was the sound of a struggle and then only Neil's
words.
"Like this." Thud.
"Lower." Slap.
"Faster." Thud.
It sounded as if each order was following a hit and the
women instinctively moved closer together for comfort as Tucker came out with a
bloody face.
"Anderson."
It was a very fast private lesson, which was the good side.
There was a nervous trooper giving the lesson, having seen Angela's name was
indeed on the list. The bad side was that Neil knew he'd treat her like any of
the others Adrian had sent to him for toughening up. And he hated the blond
just a little for showing him that he and Kenn had more in common that he was comfortable
with.
"White."
Angela moved toward the small canvas with a thumping heart.
Her fear had grown with each bleeding man to leave the tent and listening to
the sounds of their battles had reminded her of the years Kenn had abused her.
She and Sam the only ones still here besides Doug and a guard who's name she
didn't know yet, now she had to face those fears or give up the idea of being
an Eagle in Adrian's army. This was why he had sent her here. To see if she
could take getting and delivering, a real hit. The moments in the Qz had been
carefully controlled, safe. Neil was slightly upset with her still and very
unhappy to be doing this. She could feel it clearly and while she wasn't as
scared as she had been during her time with Kenn, she could feel the sweat
rolling down her sides. The taste of acid was on her tongue and her body felt
stiff, foreign. This wasn't going to go well, she thought suddenly. I'll get
hurt.
She paused in the doorway, meeting Neil's eyes as he lounged
with deceptive casualness, in the middle of the bloody floor. Was that what she
was really afraid of? The pain? Angela nodded. Yes. And, if there wasn't any?
"Then I wouldn't learn it." She muttered. 'Pain is a memory maker."
Neil didn't speak, just waved her on in and she went,
determined to conquer her weaknesses.
Marc spotted the two eagles around a small tent, Samantha
lingering nearby and moved their way with a raised brow that was ignored by
them and by the stiffly standing woman. His eyes landed on gun belts lying in
font of the tent, recognizing their owner instantly and his eyes narrowed. Who
was in there with Angie and what were they doing?
Sam felt Marc and Dog come up beside her but didn't turn to
look at him, not wanting to miss anything. Neil and Angela had been in there
twice as long as any of the others and not one sound had been heard until a
minute ago, when there had been a thud that she would almost swear was someone
being hit. Was this Neil's idea of blowing off steam? Beating on women?
Thud!
"Again." Neil's voice sounded pinched, like he was in pain.
Slap!
"Harder!"
Dog on his heels, Marc moved toward the tent, heart beating
furiously. "What the hell is going on here?"
Thud!
"Damn."
"Pay attention!'
"He'll come in…"
"Do you want this or not?"
Marc hadn't heard Neil's tone of command and he froze in the
flap at the sound of it. That was Adrian's tone. The blond had set this up.
Thud!
Marc started to move inside, unable to see her be hit and
she flung a hand out, not taking her eyes from the trooper getting set to do it
again. "Don't!"
Again, the tone of command halted him and he winced as Neil
slipped inside her ring of protection and used an open palm to drill her
shoulder.
Thud!
Braced for it, Angela ignored the dull throb and immediately
ducked under his arm to do the same to him.
Slap!
Even hitting him her hardest, she couldn't match the
strength he was using against her and Marc was glad of the brute-like arms that
drug him away from the flap. He didn't want to do anything stupid. Yet.
Doug set him down a few feet away, ready to defend himself
but Marc had gone cold, he was so furious and he didn't move.
"He won't hurt her." Doug's words were quick. "She wants to
be one of us and if you don't believe that, just watch her eyes when they come
out. You'll see."
The big man moved away from him, blending back into the
shadows and Brady took his advise, too upset to think clearly. How could she
want this? She was a woman not a man!
Thud!
Brady winced and felt Sam do the same. Doug's words hadn't
eased her anger either and she waited for it to be over, eager to deliver a
scathing rebuke.
"Do it again but turn your wrist like this."
Thud!
"Very good. That's your homework. Train yourself to remember
that pad and when you've built up some muscle mass, you'll be able to deliver
the same force as a man."
Angela nodded, taking a moment to catch her breath as he
made notes in book. She was still afraid but it had gone better than she'd
hoped for. The trooper hadn't wanted to really treat her the same as the others
but her nasty attitude had forced him to. After a little while, she'd been able
to just be herself and he'd gotten into it, liking how fast she was.
"Thanks. I know this wasn't easy for you."
Still in his shell, the trooper shrugged. "Adrian sends 'em
in and I beat on 'em. That's the way it works."
"And if I'd like a second lesson?"
Neil looked up in surprise. "Do you?'
She nodded right away and grinned. "In a few days, though,
when these bruises heal."
Impressed despite himself, Neil chuckled. "I'll let him
know."
They moved out of the tent together, the tension mostly gone
now and she took a minute to stop by Samantha and whisper into her ear before
turning to face Marc's anger. Nervous, she spun too fast and couldn't hide a
grimace when one of her muscles flared up in pain.
"And you want this?"
She frowned at his insulting tone. It said she was nuts. "I
can't be an Eagle without passing matchups, Brady. I have to learn and from
someone who'll actually hit me if that's what it takes."
"Looks like you found someone who would, though I'm
surprised by who it is. I thought cops were the good guys." He accused harshly,
eyes on his friend and Angela moved into his line of sight before he could pick
a fight.
"I would have gone through the same thing if I had joined
the service, right?'
Trapped, he still fired back. "Yes but this isn't the US
government, it's a group of refugees playing war!"
Angela's frown was fast and cold. "I don't see it that way
and neither do these men. It's for America."
"It's for Adrian." Marc sneered, really angry with her for
the first time since they'd been reunited. "And I can't believe you're so fast
to follow. What happened to not being back under some man's thumb?"
"He's not just some man and I'm free to do what I want. You
should remember that."
Looking between them, Dog whined uneasily and the sound
brought both of them back to where they were and who they were about to fight
with.
Marc snapped his mouth shut, trying to regain control and
when he finally spoke, his tone demanded honesty. "Why an Eagle, Angie?"
Expecting it, she didn't look at him as she answered, didn't want
him to see the evasions in her eyes. "I like how it felt to help those
kids from the airfield. I like how it felt to be a part of something that good.
We gave them their lives back."
Marc didn't call her on the short answer to his question. There
was more to it than that and he knew it was important to their future.
"Is it about us?" He asked suddenly and didn't like the
dismay and guilt he saw on her face.
"No, I'm sorry. It isn't."
He shrugged, trying not to let her see the sting. "You've got
other prospects. I understand."
Angela frowned. "What would make you think that?" She
held up a hand before he could explain, too tired and sore to fight with him
too. "Doesn't matter. It has to do with the women here. In case
you've forgotten, Kenn's the only one who always thinks of himself and his
wants. I like to consider helping other people, not just screwing them."
She stomped off and Marc let het go, anger starting to fade.
He didn't have the right to tell her to stop any more than Kenn did but it hurt
just the same. He wondered what her real reasons were. Maybe she still didn't
feel safe. Maybe it really was about helping the women. Or, maybe, he thought,
heading for his tent with a last glare at the watching state trooper, maybe Angie
had just lied to him.
My New Years Resolution
Okay, I don't really do those. Let me just tell you what I
hope for in 2012. Great health for my kids (We've had a long winter already),
peace on earth, (Unlikely but still a nice dream, right?)and seven new books
with my name on them. Three will be from the LAW series.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, every one of you!
Did you know you can get the deluxe version of Life After
War for free right now? It's on Amazon only, free from 12/21, until 12/23, as
my gift to you. If you miss the dates, it will be featured on Kindle Nation
Daily at a discounted price, on 12/31.
Angela White
December 9, 2011
Chance to win hundreds of free books-Guest Post
Hi again everyone. Once
again Angela has lent me some space on her blog to talk about whats going on
with mine. Right now I am in the middle of what I am calling the Winter Holiday
Book Giveaway Extravaganza. Pretty crazy title huh? I think that the over 300
books being given away justifies it though. I am constantly amazed by the
generosity of the indie author community as the giveaway started with me
posting an idea about it on my Goodreads book club (http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/53792.Indie_Book_Club).
Next thing I know there are people offering 50 copies of their books to be
given away!! Even now there are people offering me copies of their books to add
to the giveaway. During the first week there have been about 25 new additions
to the already massive prize pool. So if you are an author that would like to
participate send me a message on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5089881-scott)
and if you are a reader who wants some free stuff stop by and leave a comment
with an email address.
http://indiebookblogger.blogspot.com/2011/11/winter-holiday-book-giveaway.html
Thanks for having me as
a guest once again Angela. I appreciate your willingness to share your blog
with me.
December 2, 2011
Fiction verses Non-Fiction-A Guest Post
Carl Douglas, Author of The Baltimore Principles, shares his view on Fiction vs non Fiction.
Regardless of whether one writes fiction or non-fiction, an
author can only write about what he or she knows. I discovered that the best
writers are those who have done the best research. Take for example my good
friend Luanne Rice, a novelist who has written a couple dozen best-sellers. I
know for a fact she does tons of research for each of her fictions. This is
what puts life into her fictional characters and settings. Non-fictions are
true stories but the authors can only write what they can prove as fact. They
don't have an artistic license to insert little goodies to make a story more
exciting. I can tell you it's hard to make any person or event exciting when
little had been documented.
All writers need to be good story tellers and have a way
with words. Beyond a doubt, fictions are far more entertaining than
non-fictions and do inspire the reader's imagination. Fictions are also
educational and reading them is the best method for developing ones vocabulary.
We non-fiction writers don't tell stories but rather re-tell
stories. While our works aren't as entertaining, our stuff is definitely more
educational. We have to be careful not to get too cute with our words or else a
simple statement can lose its true meaning or context. This can be tough because
what writer wants to be boring? However, I find because most of my readers are
searching for the truth they appreciate getting "just the facts"
without any wordy distortions or distractions. As a researcher, I too, am a big
fan of "straight to the point" documentation.
What's funny is that good fiction writers have to read a ton
of non-fictions for their research while good non-fiction writers have to read
a bunch of fictions to improve their writing skills. Who would have thunk?
In a way, non-fiction writers are teachers. I believe we
have to explain why something is important to learn. This goes back to my high
school days as we students would ask, "Why do we need to learn this?"
I'm sorry to say that most of my teachers really couldn't tell us. With that
said, I always try to answer this question with all my works.
Writing THE BALTIMORE PRINCIPLES proved extra challenging. I
wrote several drafts but just could not make the history flow nor keep my
editor's interest. Frustrated, I tossed everything and tried a different style.
I wrote it as if I was telling my best friend about something really cool I had
recently discovered. My editor loved it and, thus far, everyone else has too.
The Baltimore Principles
Read a Review
Win a Copy
Read a Sample
Regardless of whether one writes fiction or non-fiction, an
author can only write about what he or she knows. I discovered that the best
writers are those who have done the best research. Take for example my good
friend Luanne Rice, a novelist who has written a couple dozen best-sellers. I
know for a fact she does tons of research for each of her fictions. This is
what puts life into her fictional characters and settings. Non-fictions are
true stories but the authors can only write what they can prove as fact. They
don't have an artistic license to insert little goodies to make a story more
exciting. I can tell you it's hard to make any person or event exciting when
little had been documented.
All writers need to be good story tellers and have a way
with words. Beyond a doubt, fictions are far more entertaining than
non-fictions and do inspire the reader's imagination. Fictions are also
educational and reading them is the best method for developing ones vocabulary.
We non-fiction writers don't tell stories but rather re-tell
stories. While our works aren't as entertaining, our stuff is definitely more
educational. We have to be careful not to get too cute with our words or else a
simple statement can lose its true meaning or context. This can be tough because
what writer wants to be boring? However, I find because most of my readers are
searching for the truth they appreciate getting "just the facts"
without any wordy distortions or distractions. As a researcher, I too, am a big
fan of "straight to the point" documentation.
What's funny is that good fiction writers have to read a ton
of non-fictions for their research while good non-fiction writers have to read
a bunch of fictions to improve their writing skills. Who would have thunk?
In a way, non-fiction writers are teachers. I believe we
have to explain why something is important to learn. This goes back to my high
school days as we students would ask, "Why do we need to learn this?"
I'm sorry to say that most of my teachers really couldn't tell us. With that
said, I always try to answer this question with all my works.
Writing THE BALTIMORE PRINCIPLES proved extra challenging. I
wrote several drafts but just could not make the history flow nor keep my
editor's interest. Frustrated, I tossed everything and tried a different style.
I wrote it as if I was telling my best friend about something really cool I had
recently discovered. My editor loved it and, thus far, everyone else has too.
The Baltimore Principles
Read a Review
Win a Copy
Read a Sample
November 27, 2011
The Caller -A New, Unpublished Story!
The family
of four had been surviving on their own since the War of 2012.
Five years
had gone by, the last two without them seeing another person and there were no
signs of their old world returning.
The bombs
had made most of the land unlivable. The radiation and mutations had spread
quickly and this small group was all that remained of normal life for hundreds
of miles around their small cabin in. Set in the hills of Kentucky, it was a
sturdy, nearly airtight shelter that had saved them the fate of their
neighbors.
"What are
ww..we hunt…ttiiin, daddy?"
The seven
year olds stutter was painful to hear. It made the man's heart hurt but he
smiled at the golden haired child. "Turkey. It's Christmas."
That was
something new and the boy grew appropriately quiet as they crept closer to the
pond's edge. Their movements were and slow and careful and yet wrong, like
something was wrong with their legs. The lack of fresh food was taking its
toll.
"Gobble."
The noise brought a smile to both their dirty
faces and the father silently pulled his sharpened walking stick from the pack
on his back.
"Gobble."
"Sniff.
Gobble."
The sounds
weren't right either, even for this post apocalyptic hell but the hunters paid
it little mind as they sprang up from behind the decaying water plants.
"Dad!"
Too
late, they saw the wolves and the wild
canines lunged toward them, leaving the looted duck nest.
"Get down!"
The father
swung his hand, where a flashing blade now began to blaze through the air. On a
tightly wound rope, the sound of the Caller echoed for miles.
"Oohhh.!'
It was a
howling, high pitched whine with horribly loud tones that made the boy cover
his deformed ears.
The wolves
reacted with confusion too, whimpering, and the man swung it harder.
"Whoo…"
It went
higher and the predators began to back up, snarling their fury. It drove them
back with only sound used and the small pack ducked into the underbrush with a
last lingering glare.
:oohhh…!"
It was
spinning nearly out of control now and the man forced his fingers to let go.
The object was not totally inanimate and the sound lingered for a moment even
after it slid into the grass. It made an awful moan as it ended, leaving an
amazed silence.
"It
worked!"
The child's
speech was clear as a bell and the father watched him run gracefully to the
Caller. His eyes widened. The ears were normal!
The child
flashed him a grin, an intelligent grin and the father struggled to breathe.
What magic was this?
"The book
was right, daddy!"
Not a trace
of slur. The man took the object carefully, stunned. Now he knew what the
inscription meant. "Your heart's wish if it is pure." He'd just been
thinking how much he loved his son despite the deformities and flaws. And his
wish had been granted! The boy was healed!
Later that
evening, the man sat by the fire with a tattered notebook in his hand,
listening to his wife and children talk as they prepared a holiday feast with
almost no food. He thumbed through the brittle pages absently. Had it's author
survived?
Angela's
Journal.
The man
rubbed his sore wrist thoughtfully. So many of the things in it were true! What
if the people were also? A refuge for survivors.
"No
turkey?"
"No,
honey." The nine year old girl nodded resignedly, thin shoulders drooping.
"Oh. Okay."
The man's
gust twisted with the need to do something. A refugee camp would have food and
vitamins and water. He ran a calloused thumb over the journal's weather beaten
cover. The directions said always southeast. Surely a group that big wouldn't
be hard to find?
"I'm
thankful anyway, momma. Cause Alex got fixed. Now, he can run!"
"We all are
darling. We all are."
The wolves
had trapped them, starved them. His wrist ached deeper. Had. Now, there might
be a way out and some magic to ease the trip.
"Love you,
momma."
"Love you
too, sissy."
"What about
me?"
The three
of them hugged, exchanging their emotions and the man could take no more. He
stood up, ragged journal clenched tightly in his grip.
"Pack it up, woman. " The hope in his voice
shocked them all.
"We leave
for Safe Haven at first light."
Check out the book this is based on.
of four had been surviving on their own since the War of 2012.
Five years
had gone by, the last two without them seeing another person and there were no
signs of their old world returning.
The bombs
had made most of the land unlivable. The radiation and mutations had spread
quickly and this small group was all that remained of normal life for hundreds
of miles around their small cabin in. Set in the hills of Kentucky, it was a
sturdy, nearly airtight shelter that had saved them the fate of their
neighbors.
"What are
ww..we hunt…ttiiin, daddy?"
The seven
year olds stutter was painful to hear. It made the man's heart hurt but he
smiled at the golden haired child. "Turkey. It's Christmas."
That was
something new and the boy grew appropriately quiet as they crept closer to the
pond's edge. Their movements were and slow and careful and yet wrong, like
something was wrong with their legs. The lack of fresh food was taking its
toll.
"Gobble."
The noise brought a smile to both their dirty
faces and the father silently pulled his sharpened walking stick from the pack
on his back.
"Gobble."
"Sniff.
Gobble."
The sounds
weren't right either, even for this post apocalyptic hell but the hunters paid
it little mind as they sprang up from behind the decaying water plants.
"Dad!"
Too
late, they saw the wolves and the wild
canines lunged toward them, leaving the looted duck nest.
"Get down!"
The father
swung his hand, where a flashing blade now began to blaze through the air. On a
tightly wound rope, the sound of the Caller echoed for miles.
"Oohhh.!'
It was a
howling, high pitched whine with horribly loud tones that made the boy cover
his deformed ears.
The wolves
reacted with confusion too, whimpering, and the man swung it harder.
"Whoo…"
It went
higher and the predators began to back up, snarling their fury. It drove them
back with only sound used and the small pack ducked into the underbrush with a
last lingering glare.
:oohhh…!"
It was
spinning nearly out of control now and the man forced his fingers to let go.
The object was not totally inanimate and the sound lingered for a moment even
after it slid into the grass. It made an awful moan as it ended, leaving an
amazed silence.
"It
worked!"
The child's
speech was clear as a bell and the father watched him run gracefully to the
Caller. His eyes widened. The ears were normal!
The child
flashed him a grin, an intelligent grin and the father struggled to breathe.
What magic was this?
"The book
was right, daddy!"
Not a trace
of slur. The man took the object carefully, stunned. Now he knew what the
inscription meant. "Your heart's wish if it is pure." He'd just been
thinking how much he loved his son despite the deformities and flaws. And his
wish had been granted! The boy was healed!
Later that
evening, the man sat by the fire with a tattered notebook in his hand,
listening to his wife and children talk as they prepared a holiday feast with
almost no food. He thumbed through the brittle pages absently. Had it's author
survived?
Angela's
Journal.
The man
rubbed his sore wrist thoughtfully. So many of the things in it were true! What
if the people were also? A refuge for survivors.
"No
turkey?"
"No,
honey." The nine year old girl nodded resignedly, thin shoulders drooping.
"Oh. Okay."
The man's
gust twisted with the need to do something. A refugee camp would have food and
vitamins and water. He ran a calloused thumb over the journal's weather beaten
cover. The directions said always southeast. Surely a group that big wouldn't
be hard to find?
"I'm
thankful anyway, momma. Cause Alex got fixed. Now, he can run!"
"We all are
darling. We all are."
The wolves
had trapped them, starved them. His wrist ached deeper. Had. Now, there might
be a way out and some magic to ease the trip.
"Love you,
momma."
"Love you
too, sissy."
"What about
me?"
The three
of them hugged, exchanging their emotions and the man could take no more. He
stood up, ragged journal clenched tightly in his grip.
"Pack it up, woman. " The hope in his voice
shocked them all.
"We leave
for Safe Haven at first light."
Check out the book this is based on.
November 25, 2011
Weight Loss for Wimps, a special guest post by Kevin Myers
With the coming holidays, weight loss is always a hot topic so I
thought I'd invite author of Weight Loss for Wimps to speak to us for a minute
about his new book. Take it away, Kevin...
Thanks Angie and everyone
reading this. I love to talk about my book. I love helping people feel as good
as I do. So…
Are you feeling angry, upset,
fearful or sad about your weight... how about jealous or envious? Good!
Fantastic! Maybe you've reached the all-important "tipping point!"
Losing weight, just like gaining weight, is an emotional experience. Weight
Loss for Wimps is the solution you're looking for to learn HOW to
channel your negative emotions and let your positive emotions run wild. This is
the process of "getting your mindset mojo!"
You Might Be a Weight Loss Wimp If...
* Your favorite restaurant is an all-you-can-eat buffet
* You start thinking about your New Year's resolution in June
* The longest you ever stay on a diet is 4 days, tops
* You count ketchup as a "vegetable"
* You don't want to go to the wedding or class reunion because of your
weight
Finally, a book that includes (among many other things) a step-by-step action
plan to combat the most powerful diet busters (Bad Boys) known to man:
* How to deal effectively with Hunger (real and fake)
* How to knock-out any and all Excuses
* How to control and conquer Emotional Eating
* How to minimize Stress in your daily life (easier than you think!)
And, you will also be introduced to an exercise protocol that takes as little
as 15 minutes that can even be done at home or at work. Here are some of the
key points to the book, which is at a holiday value right now of only $4.99.
The #1 cause of weight loss
failure can almost ALWAYS be traced to the lack of skills in dealing with
the negative emotions experienced on a daily basis during the early weeks
of the weight loss process
Weight loss success or failure
is about EMOTIONS. Dealing with negative emotions and focusing on positive
emotions. This is the process of "getting your mindset
mojo."
We are raising the first
generation of children who will die at a younger age than their parents
Many obese people have just
given up because they have not learned HOW to change their bad habits
You're fat
(sorry...overweight!) primarily because you eat when you're NOT HUNGRY and
keep eating until your plate is clean
The Weight Loss for Wimps™ protocol
is all about getting you looking as good or better than you did in high
school
Obesity needs to become as
unacceptable as cigarette smoking
If you have fat kids, it's your
fault; do something about it today. Adopt healthy lifestyle skills and
teach them to your children. Lead by example.
Imagine you at your next class
reunion...seeing the heads turn, the whispers, the jaws drop as YOU
"strut your stuff" walking across the room
What we're dealing with in
America is what I call "cultural obesity." Because
2 out of 3 people are overweight or obese, being fat has become socially
acceptable. This trend must be reversed.
Going on a "diet" is
absolutely the wrong way of thinking - it's like "how long can you
hold your breath under water?" It's just a short-term endurance
contest with yourself.
The only solution is to make a
permanent lifestyle change. You already know what to do i.e. "cut
the crap and burn the fat"; the issue is HOW do you do that and
do it in a way that gives you permanent weight loss?
Weight Loss for Wimps will give you the answer.
