Megan Cyrulewski's Blog, page 5

Blog Tour: "Adding Lib" by Kathryn Elliott

Kathryn will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.


What is your name?  
Kathryn Elliott – but primarily I answer to ‘Mom’ or ‘Babe, have you seen my keys.’

Where are you from?  
Connecticut, USA – Where the taxes are as high as the socialite hemlines.

What genre are you in?
Women’s Fiction, but I dabble in non-fiction for (gasp) politicians.

Please list your books and the year of publication. 
Adding Lib - 2014

Why are you an Author?  
Because I was too argumentative for law school. No, I jest. I’m an author because writing is my oxygen. By day I’m a local freelance journalist, but as you can imagine, the exciting world of donut shop openings and spay and neuter clinics are not all that satisfying. Fiction feeds my creative side.

What inspires you?
 I’m a people watcher, not in the creepy cease and desist way. I’m more of a park bench observer, someone who picks up the quirks and subtleties of human interactions and spins them in to a plot point. I do not take examples from my ‘real life’ however friends and family live in fear they’ll see their darkest secrets in print. Hey, so far no one knows my about my college roommate’s bust for solicitation – I’m a vault when it comes to that stuff.

 

Where and what times during the day do you work best?  
Ideas come more easily at night as do typos, grammatical errors and general rambling. Editing occurs during daylight hours with coffee and a clear head.

Who is your target audience? 
Adding Lib’s ideal demographic is women 35 and up, but I don’t think the story specifically falls to a target audience. I’ve had reviews from men, women and teens, each finding a character to identify with. In truth, the best reader for this story is one looking for a humorous look at the heavy subject of dementia. The one thing I’ve learned through my work within the Alzheimer’s community – laughter heals. Life needs more!


How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book?  
Like they’re among friends. Adding Lib’s characters were developed with an emphasis on relatability. Spoiler – there are no surprise zombie attacks or vampires.  I tried, but I just couldn’t work them in – vamps and zombies aren’t as common in suburban Connecticut as you’d think.

 

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 
Quitting is for quitters! (I’m a writer, not a poet.) If this is something you’re passionate about – keep at it. If you write because you got an A on an English Lit paper in 10th grade and thought, ‘hey, I’ll take a stab at it’ – do something else. Writing is a calling; if you’ve got doubts, don’t answer.

 

Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know.  There are a million answers to this question, but I’ll seize the opportunity for a personal plea. I’m a cancer survivor, a small scare but life-altering nonetheless. If you have the opportunity to make the world a better place – grab it.  Reach out to someone battling this monster and brighten their day. You only get one go round in this rodeo – make the best of the ride!

Thank you for hosting, Megan!

BLURB:
Libby O'Rourke has a short fuse. Her mother, Mae, carries a big match. Engulfed in the never-ending life-juggling of suburbia, Libby fails to notice Mae's emerging dementia symptoms until a kitchen fire puts the problem on the front burner.

Proficient in the art of denial, Mae brushes the shattering diagnosis aside and sets her sights on a matchmaking crusade for her eldest son. After all, if her lucid days are numbered, Mae’s going to make damned sure he makes it down the aisle while she still recognizes the groom.

It’s going to take a razor wit and an iron stomach to handle Mae's diagnosis. Thankfully, just like her mother Libby has both.

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EXCERPT:


Libby felt the weight of the coming conversation bear down on her shoulders like a lead blanket and struggled to find the right words.

“It’s all right, Libby,” Mae said, interrupting her thoughts. “Say what you need to. We’re here for a reason. We both know it.”

Shocked by her mother’s perception, Libby stared at Mae.

The older woman’s eyes were moist but holding back. She continued. “Spit it out, honey. I won’t have a public tantrum. It’s obvious you have something important to talk to me about, and I think you’ve delayed long enough.”

Libby’s shoulders slumped. “How’d you know?”

“Well, let’s examine the facts...” Mae grinned despite the gravity of the moment. “You took me to church, plied me with brunch, and now you’re standing there biting your bottom lip raw. Daddy used to call that your tell. We always knew something was wrong if your bottom lip looked like it had a run-in with a cheese grater.”

“Huh?” Libby ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “I never noticed.”

“In your teens, we were pretty sure you were going to bite clean through it,” Mae joked. “At least your nervous habit isn’t offensive; whenever Kevin lies, he grabs his testicles. Since the day he was born that boy treated his penis like an accessory. It’s terribly inappropriate, especially at parties.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Kathryn Elliott is a lifetime journalist with awards in political satire, human interest, and commentary. A Connecticut native, she is a happily married mother of two sons with high hopes one of them will pay for a delightful rest home.

A true believer in laughter's healing power, Kathryn writes characters whose flaws resonate with readers long after "The End."

ADDING LIB is her debut novel, and the first in The McGinn Series.

 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynElliottAuthor?ref=bookmarks

TWITTER: http://@CandidKathryn

BLOG LINK:http://candidkathryn.com/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5961246-kathryn-elliott

BUY LINKS:

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=6006

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Adding-Lib-Kathryn-Elliott/dp/1628306408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416509045&sr=8-1&keywords=adding+lib

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/adding-lib-kathryn-elliott/1120959745?ean=2940149968862

iBook: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/adding-lib/id946791906?mt=11
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Soap Guy

For those of you who know me, know I LOVE using my blog to help out small businesses.  And for those you know me, know I LOVE bath products!  So it was only natural that I combine the two to introduce you to a family business simply called, "The Soap Guy."
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REVIEWS:

"Hello! 
I just received my first shipment of your soap. It was much more than I ever imagined it would be. The fragrances are amazing and the colors are perfect! Thank you so much!"
Sherry Childs


"Jeff, you were so kind to send me new soap and a free cutter! My gosh, what a difference! Had my soap cut in 5 minutes instead of 30 and they are all even (much easier to wrap when they're straight). You really went above and beyond and for that you have blessed me with your kindness. I have your soaps all on display and hopefully will get to order more soon. Thanks so much and happy Easter!"
Hollye 

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ABOUT THE BUSINESS:

This is the story of a family soap business. Soap and candle making was just a hobby for our family for the first five years beginning in 2002. First we started with soy candles as they were all the rage in the early 2000's. Then we would make soap, mostly in the Fall and around Christmas time. Soon the soap was outselling the candles by a wide margin. Also many other crafters were getting into the candle making business so we decided to concentrate on soap. Our first soap recipe is the basis for the one we still use today. We have tinkered with it a little bit but the basic recipe remains the same. The response to our initial batches of soap was so strong we couldn't believe it. The testimonials started to pour in and we have never looked back from that lucky start. We continued to focus on procuring only the richest natural ingredients for reputable suppliers. Each batch is handmade even today as our business has grown all of soap is made in Northwest Indiana and distributed nationwide. We enjoy a very loyal customer base whose word of mouth endorsements have been the cornerstone of our growth over the years. Our second focus has been to provide a first class products at price point that the average consumer can afford. This is where most of our focus has been over the last several years. We honestly believe that no other soap maker can provide you with this quality product at these amazing prices. Thanks for your support.

Current mailing address
1201 Lake Street
La Porte Indiana. 46350
Phone 312-320-5862



LINK TO WEBSITE:


http://www.thesoapguy.com

Don't Let the Ugliness of Fat-Shaming Bleed Into the Next Generation

About a month ago, I was trying on my summer clothes in front of my mirror.  Madelyne wandered into my room and asked what I was doing.  I told her that I was seeing if my clothes from last year still fit.  Madelyne, my 4-year-old daughter, looked at herself in the mirror, pinched the skin on her hips and said, "I am so fat."  Right away I went into mommy-protective mode:

"Madelyne!  I don't ever want to hear you say that again."

She looked at me with innocent eyes and said, "But you say it."  Needless to say, I was horrified at myself and my behavior.  Why didn't I see this coming?  She emulates me in other areas of life:  wears my high heels around the house pretending she's going to work like her mommy, won't step on cracks on the sidewalk because her mommy doesn't either (weird habit from when I was little), wants her hair to be like mommy's hair, etc.  It's kind of fun to see a mini-me but the fat-shaming went too far - and I have no one to blame but myself.

My issues with my body are my issues - not my daughter's.  I never want her to feel in adequate in anyway.  I know I can't protect her from all the bad things in life, but I don't want to be the cause of any of those bad things.  

And then occurred to me - why was I so quick to protect Madelyne from fat-shaming but I didn't protect myself from myself.  Why can't I be happy with the body I have?  When I was doubting myself the other day, a friend told me that I was a good and kind friend and a great mom.  Isn't that is what is most important?  Do the people I love really care that I'm not the same size from college?  The answer is a resounding no.

I'm not trying to justify my weight gain.  I know that I need to eat healthier and can probably exercise more.  Maybe some day, I will finally be able to be content with the body I have, whichever size it is.  But until that day, I will try to never say the "f" word (fat) in front of Madelyne again.

Guest Post: Meet Lori Carmichael

Lori is a wife, mom, and full-time kindergarten teacher.  She has always loved teaching and being around children.  Lori's husband, Justin, is also a teacher.  Although they both love their jobs, they are always looking for ways to make extra income.  When Lori isn't teaching, she wants to be spending all of her extra time with her daughter, Kylee, who will be 2 in July.  When a friend approached Lori about making extra income through a skincare business, Lori thought her friend was crazy, but she was also a little bit intrigued.  A year ago, Lori decided to take a chance and join her friend in business.

 
Lori is a consultant for Rodan + Fields dermatologists, which is a skincare company created by the same doctors as Proactiv.  Everyone has heard of Proactiv before!  The difference with Rodan + Fields is that there is something for every skin type (adult acne, sun damage, sensitive skin, anti-aging).  The products are amazing, and they all have a 60 day money-back guarantee.  (They used to be number one in Nordstrom before going into direct sales).  The products are clinically proven to give real people real results!!  Who's ready to try them?  Lori would love to help you out with any of your skincare needs.  You will fall in love with Rodan + Fields products!

Even with working full-time and being a mom, Lori still has time to work a side business! She is looking for motivated and savvy people to work part time/flexible hours.  This is for people who are interested in a career change, extra income, or just a shameless shoe fund!  Rodan + Fields is not a party hosting company, and there is no inventory to stock or handle.  It's mostly word of mouth and doing things online...100% from your phone and computer.  Lori is looking for new people to coach and train - it doesn't matter where you live either, since it’s all virtual.  Lori loves that she can easily fit this business into her life how and when she wants to.  Rodan + Fields is still a ground floor opportunity, so it is an amazing time to join and be part of all the growth and excitement to come!!

For more information about Rodan + Fields, contact Lori at carmichael.lori.m@gmail.com.

Blog Tour: "The Soul Retrieval" by Ann W. Jarvie

NOTE: The book will be free on Amazon on May 12, the date of the book blast!

The author will award a $75 Amazon/BN gift certificate to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter.
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BLURB:
Inspired by a true story, The Soul Retrieval is a suspenseful tale of love, loss and healing which follows traumatized southern beauty Henrietta Clayborn as she moves between her home in a small South Carolina town and the New Mexico Native American reservation whose spontaneous healings keep drawing her physician husband back. Tortured by her awful secrets, Henrietta struggles to thrive in either locale, but it is her unlikely friendship with Joe Loco––an eccentric Native American mystic with an Elvis fetish and a gift for healing––that shows her the way to be whole again.

Set in the late 1950s, The Soul Retrieval is richly woven with spiritual insights but also deadly secrets, forbidden healings, a murder mystery, stunning scenery and an unforgettable cast of characters.

A story of transcendent and inspiring power that is both entertaining and enlightening, readers will be cheering for the uptight woman from South Carolina to push through her fears of the forbidden as she searches for truth and healing, faces great obstacles on the frontier of self and ultimately becomes more than she ever thought possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

After finishing the second nocturne, he looked up at her. “You know that I’ve been researching the high incidence of spontaneous healings here, right?” Jeff was both a lead physician and medical researcher at the Medichero Indian Hospital. He reached for a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his short-sleeved white shirt.

“Uh-huh,” Henrietta said. She barely heard what he said. How am I going to get into it? How am I going to tell him? She had asked herself these questions at least a million times. She picked up a pen and notebook from the coffee table, trying to keep her hands busy.

Jeff smoked in silence a moment before continuing. “There’s more to it than even I imagined.”

“More to what?” she asked. She absently doodled on the page without looking up. How am I going to tell him?

Jeff blew smoke. “The spontaneous healings that I’m so interested in ... the medicine men here seem to be doing something real to affect the recoveries.”

Now he had her attention. “They are?” She looked at him. “Like what?”

Instead of answering, Jeff got up and turned toward the bay windows that cradled the piano in a small alcove off the living room of the doctor’s cottage. His silhouette against the bright morning light was a man-shaped eclipse, his muscled edges luminous and blurred by the smoldering tobacco. It gave him an unworldly appearance, and Henrietta was reminded about how often she felt like an outsider here, and even back home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ann W. Jarvie has a B.A. in journalism and more than twenty-five years’ experience as an award-winning writer in advertising and public relations agencies, both in South Carolina and Chicago. She now lives near Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends part of her time as a freelance copywriter and the rest writing fiction.

The Soul Retrieval was inspired by Jarvie’s maternal grandmother’s fascinating life on Indian reservations, where she lived with her physician husband until his mysterious and untimely death.

http://www.annwjarvie.com

https://twitter.com/annjarvie1

https://plus.google.com/104972649617453739149/posts

https://www.facebook.com/ann.jarvie1

Buy link: Book is free from Amazon on the date of the tour.

 
http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Retrieval-Ann-W-Jarvie/dp/0692368205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429907546&sr=8-1&keywords=ann+jarvie+the+soul

 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: "The Devil's Music" by Pearl R. Meaker

Pearl will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


BLURB:

Emory Crawford doesn't do martial arts nor is she an athletic, leggy woman who is built like a model. She's a wife, grandmother, and empty nest lover of crafts, reading, birding and bluegrass music.

When an acclaimed scholar, best-selling author and fellow bluegrass musician is found murdered on the Twombly College campus where her husband teaches chemistry and forensics, Emory takes up her knitting caddy, to help her channel the spirit of Miss Marple, and heads off to help solve the crime.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT

Stars shone in a sky hazed with moonlight from a half- moon. The fountain played its merry music. The smell of late spring flowers wafted on the cooling air. Soft lights in the fountain made the area cozy while keeping it from being scary-dark. But our playful mood faded as we saw the silhouette of someone sleeping on one of the backless benches near the fountain.

“Drat! I was looking forward to some romance.” At forty-seven I still sound like a sulky child when I’m disappointed.

“So was I.” Jebbin didn’t sound it though. He was too busy squinting at the figure on the bench. He nodded his head toward the figure. “Something’s odd there, Emory.”

I looked closer. The figure’s arms both dangled down, hands resting on the ground. The legs were straight, hanging off either side of the bench in an uncomfortable looking position. We edged closer until we could see, lit by the light of the fountain, the body of a man splayed lengthwise on the bench. Several pouches and odd amulets rested on his chest. On the ground, the hand nearest us was holding a fiddle with no strings.

Jebbin grabbed my shoulders, turning me toward the fountain and away from the bench.

“He’s been strangled.” Jebbin’s body was tight, his voice tense. “It’s Archie and he’s been strangled.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Pearl R. Meaker is an upper-middle-aged, short, pudgy homemaker, mother, and grandmother who in 2002 became a writer. Initially writing fanfiction she soon tried original fiction at the encouragement of her regular readers. She has been a life-long lover of mystery stories and automatically went to that genre for her first book, The Devil’s Music. She and her husband of nearly 40 years live in central Illinois. They both love bluegrass music, playing fiddle and banjo and singing. Pearl also does many crafts –  when she’s not reading or writing - knitting, crochet, origami, needlepoint, and cross-stitch among them. She also enjoys birding and photography and is a former fencer.

 

Visit Pearl here:          

http://pearlrmeaker.com

http://Twitter link: https://twitter.com/PearlRMeaker
                                   
https://www.facebook.com/PearlRMeaker


https://www.pinterest.com/PearlRMeaker/

Buy The Devil’s Music:            

http://www.amazon.com/Devilss-Music-Pearl-R-Meaker/dp/1927559642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424818666&sr=1-1&keywords=Pearl+R.+Meaker

https://www.promontorypress.com/books/pearl-r-meaker/the-devils-music

 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blog Tour: "Inhuman Interest" by Eric Turowski

Eric will award one randomly drawn commenter a signed copy of the book, plus a $25 Amazon gift card (US/Canada only) and a second randomly drawn commenter a signed copy of the book (US/Canada only).  ENTER BELOW AND GOOD LUCK!

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BLURB:
INHUMAN INTEREST


Thirteen words in a want-ad turn Tess Cooper’s world upside down after she signs on as a paranormal research assistant to the mysterious Davin Egypt. He reveals a world of grave robbing, clockworks artifacts in blue amber, antique revolvers that fire strange ammo, and powerful forces beyond human comprehension.

As ancient occult energies threaten to destroy her city, Tess must use her journalistic instincts to stay one step ahead of the public works director, Drew Dawson, whose agenda seems bent on destruction rather than maintenance. And possibly murder, but will anyone believe her?

Yeah, right. When garbage trucks fly.

If Tess teams up with the hunky police lieutenant, Kirk Gunther, and the pale, oddball Mr. Egypt, they might be able to save the city in time. That is, if Egypt even wants to. And if Tess overcomes her phobias long enough to do battle in Granddad’s 1983 Subaru Brat.

Things are about to get icky.

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EXCERPTS:

I watched Angie wobble away and marched myself toward the stonewalling the cops would give me when I felt the soles of my flats slide. Pinwheeling arms didn’t help me get my footing, and with a tiny cry, I went down.

And down, and down, and down.

Snow slid up my shirt, up my pants, and something less cold but more wet. I thrashed around, succeeding only in getting more snow inside my clothes. Not falling, but sinking. I sank into a deep hole. And then I realized it wasn’t a hole but a grave.

Angie came rushing back, as much as she could rush on her stumpy, little legs. “Tess, what the hell happened? I heard you screaming and—oh, my God.”

I expected her to kneel down and help me out of the loose soil and slush, but instead, she whipped out her camera. The little motor whined as she took about six hundred shots. “I think I got the image for my Christmas cards this year.”

“Ange, help me out of here!” I pushed against the soil with one foot, and felt it sink deeper. I tried with the other one. Then I plunged in up to my neck. My arms found no grip, either. It was like quicksand, even though quicksand doesn’t really exist. I knew that. Worse, a horrible, horrible smell drifted up from below. Decomp, rot, death.

Ick.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Newspaper founder, bookstore owner, artist, musician, and man-about-town Eric Turowski writes lots of mixed-genre books when he’s not too busy playing laser tag with Tiger the Cat and his fiancée Mimi deep in the Central Valley of California.

You can learn more about Eric at http://www.ericturowski.com

Connect with Eric online

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eric_turowski
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Turowski.Books

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blog Tour: "Mocassin Trace" by Hawk MacKinney

BLURB:
… it was about the land…a tale of love and loss and hope…

“The most engaging and brilliantly crafted historical work since Margaret Mitchell’s great classic.”


Barbara Casey
Author, The Gospel According to Prissy

Hamilton Ingram looked out across the fertile Georgia bottomlands that were Moccasin Hollows, seeing holdings it had taken generations of Ingrams to build.  No drop of slave sweat ever shed in its creation.  It was about the land…his trust, his duty to preserve it for the generation of Ingrams to come…

It is July of 1859, a month of sweltering dog days and feverish emotional bombast.  Life is good for widower Rundell Ingram and his Hazel-eyed, roan-haired son, Hamilton.  Between the two of them, they take care of Moccasin Hollows, their rustic dogtrot ancestral home, a sprawling non-slave plantation in the rolling farming country outside Queensborough Towne in east Georgia.  Adjoining Ingram lands is Wisteria Bend, the vast slave-holding plantation of Andrew and Corinthia Greer, their daughter Sarah, and son Benjamin.

Both families share generations of long-accepted traditions, and childhood playmates are no longer children.  The rangy, even-tempered Norman-Scottish young Hamilton is smitten with Sarah, who has become an enticing capricious beauty—the young lovers more in love with each passing day, and only pleasant times ahead of them.

But a blood tide of war is sweeping across the South, a tide that might be impossible to stand before.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT

The Captain lowered his brass spyglass.  "My apologies for having to disturb you," he said to Hamilton.  With full steam and sail for now we have speed on their lead ship.  They'll try to angle us off from the inlet this side of Santa Rosa, but I mean to give 'em no chance of that.  Too shallow in there for them to clear the reef.  Once we get lee to the shoals..." he raised his glass.  "Lead frigate is gaining."  He shook his head.  "First time we've picked up anything this close in."

Sarah walked to the bridge railing and fixed her eyes toward the tall white sails of the onrushing juggernaut.  Her father's enemy, Hamilton's enemy, her enemy; until this moment the battles had been some place far away.  Tall and sleek in the distance, coming toward them, a deadly beauty in the mad fury of men's devotion to destruction and death.


Hamilton asked the Captain, "Will they try to board?"

His jaw set, "When we don't heave to, she'll try to force us to ground.  Failing that they'll use their guns."

The thought of this pirate flag bearing down on them, their seafarers clamoring over the side, stabbed Hamilton into a heated white-hot hate of Yankies -- good ones, bad ones, any of them.

 "They're not boardin' us," the Captain said.  "We'll scuttle first.  No Yankee's puttin' a foul foot on my ship, as long as..."

The distant muzzle flash was followed by a muffled boom rolling across the water.  Hamilton sheltered Sarah in his arms.  The shot smacked the water off their port bow, sending up a tall blossoming white plume tall and falling back in a graceful slow splash.

"...a warning shot for us to heave to," the Captain frowned.  "Allows 'em[+> to ]adjust their range."  He eyed Sarah, "Missus Ingram..." he agonized, "To avoid exposing you to harm, I am prepared to yield to..."

"You will do no such thing!" Sarah bristled.  Her head turned toward this full-sailed invader.  "These philistines are in our waters -- attacking us!"  Sarah's blood was up.


"Sarah, the Captain's right," Hamilton said

"No, I say!"  Sarah whirled to face both men.  "We will not yield to those...those barbarians!"  Greer fiery rage showed in full vigor.  Her fists clenched, "You said you could make a run for it!  Our armies need your cargo.  If there's a chance..."  She glowered toward the oncoming menace.

Hamilton saw not the pampered daughter of a rich plantation father, but a wind-whipped chalk-faced New World Jeanne d'Arc girded for battle, blazing with indignation, exchanging armoured horse for ship and English for Yankie, and loved her the more for it.


He nodded to the Captain, "We run for it."


"I know how Papa felt," her lip quivered, "...when he said he hated runnin'."

 "...to fight another day," Hamilton hugged her tighter.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AUTHOR Bio and Links:
With postgraduate degrees and faculty appointments in several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem. In addition to professional articles and texts on chordate neuroembryology, Hawk has authored several works of fiction.

 Hawk began writing mysteries for his school newspaper. His works of fiction, historical love stories, science fiction and mystery-thrillers are not genre-centered, but plot-character driven, and reflect his southwest upbringing in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Moccasin Trace, a historical novel nominated for the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award, details the family bloodlines of his serial protagonist in the Craige Ingram Mystery Series… murder and mayhem with a touch of romance. Vault of Secrets, the first book in the Ingram series, was followed by Nymrod Resurrection, Blood and Gold, and The Lady of Corpsewood Manor. All have received national attention.  Hawk’s latest release in the Ingram series is due out this fall with another mystery-thriller work out in 2014. The Bleikovat Event, the first volume in The Cairns of Sainctuarie science fiction series, was released in 2012.

"Without question, Hawk is one of the most gifted and imaginative writers I have had the pleasure to represent. His reading fans have something special to look forward to in the Craige Ingram Mystery Series. Intrigue, murder, deception and conspiracy--these are the things that take Hawk's main character, Navy ex-SEAL/part-time private investigator Craige Ingram, from his South Carolina ancestral home of Moccasin Hollow to the dirty backrooms of the nation's capital and across Europe and the Middle East."

Barbara Casey, President
Barbara Casey Literary Agency

 

http://www.hawkmackinney.net

 
http://www.amazon.com/Moccasin-Trace-Hawk-MacKinney/dp/1595072608/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400172529&sr=8-1&keywords=moccasin+trace


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moccasin-trace-hawk-mackinney/1008084042?ean=9781595072603

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Authors Supporting Authors: Marty Baker

I know I said I was going to not write introductions to these blogs anymore but when I interview someone who holds a place in my heart such as Marty, I have to say a few words.  I met Marty when he sent me an e-mail for an interview on my blog.  That was about a year ago (I think.)  Since then, Marty and I have had many conversations from "how's your day" to "I need some advice" to "I really need to talk."  Even though I've never met Marty in real life, I know that he's always there if I need him and vice versa.  

I fell in love with the book that he and his co-author, Fran, are working on and hope to be published.  It's about bi-polar disorder told by a person who has it and a friend who sees it.  I've never heard of a collaborative book such as this and I think it's going to help SO many people when it's published.  Not just help people with bi-polar disorder but other mental illnesses.  Those of us with mental illnesses don't know what it's like watching us from the "outside" and I think it's extremely brave for Fran and Marty to share their story.  Love you!







1. What is your name?
Martin Baker (call me Marty!)

 

2. Where are you from?
I was born in Liverpool on Merseyside and lived there until I was eighteen. I studied pharmacy at Bradford University and lived in Norwich and London before settling in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the north-east of England.

 

3. What genre are you in?
I published a book of my poetry. I’ve written articles and short stories in the fantasy genre, and a goth novella, Playing at Darkness, set in and around Tynemouth Priory and Castle. I’m currently writing on a non-fiction book with my best friend and co-author Fran Houston, who lives in Maine. Our book is about what it is like to be a good friend when your friend lives with bipolar disorder.

 

4. Please list your books and the year of publication.
Collected Poems: 1977–1984, (2008). “Romantic and bittersweet, this collection traces my journey through school and university to life in the real world beyond.” It is available for Kindle and in print..

 

5. Do you have any weird/strange habits when you work?
When working at home in the evening I have a habit of exclaiming “Woop! Woop!” when the writing’s going well (I’m not revealing what I exclaim when it’s going badly, use your imagination!) Having researched this a little, it seems a bottle of stout enhances the quality, and frequency, of the said “Woop!”s.

 

6. Do you prefer writing or typing?
I have always loved writing by hand. I’ve kept a journal since I was fourteen years old (I am 54 this year) and still write ink-on-paper letters to friends on a weekly basis. My pen case holds four fountain pens (black, red, blue and purple).

I used to have a Palm PDA handheld which was wonderful for writing short stories. Using the stylus on the screen approximated to a pen or pencil on paper and allowed my thoughts to flow much more readily than at the computer. Far less practical for editing, though. I used to transfer my files to the computer, edit them there, and put them back on the Palm to continue writing.

These days most of my writing is done at the PC, or on my Chromebook, but there’s still a place for hand-writing (also known as scribbling!) Taking notes from other books, including my own journals, is usually easier on paper. Large-scale reviews and “sweeping” changes are simpler working on printouts than on screen.

 

7. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about life, writing, or anything?
“Be aware of the stories you tell yourself, especially those that begin ‘I’m not the kind of person who …’”

Some such stories may still be valid (“Marty, you’re not the kind of person who attempts to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel”). Most, though, are little more than strategies we’ve evolved to keep from expanding our horizons. They deserve to be challenged now and again.

“Marty, you’re not the sort of person who’d do a charity zip-wire from the Tyne Bridge.”

“Marty, you’re not the sort of person who strikes up conversations with strangers in coffee shops.”

“Marty, you’re so not the sort of person to be writing a book about mental illness.”

Well actually, it seems I am just such a person! So, be aware of your inner stories, and maybe rewrite a few! It is very liberating!

 

8. If you could pick one place to write for the rest of your life, where would it be?  (For example, mine would be on the beaches of Hawaii)
I’m not too concerned about the specific location. (Not a beach in Hawaii though, far too hot and sandy!) I’m thinking a coffee shop. Not too busy. A cosy corner table in sight of the door or by the window. Free wifi and recharging points for my phone and Chromebook! I change my favourite coffee shop now and again: currently it’s Caffé Nero, St Mary’s Place in Newcastle.

 

9. Does your family/friends read your books?  If so, what do they think?
I have had great feedback from family and friends to my one published book of poetry, and enormous support on all fronts for the non-fiction book I am writing about supporting a friend with mental illness. That is a topic which affects so many of us, individually and as a society, and most of those I know fully support what I am doing.

 

10. Share one thing that would surprise people!
I once banged my big toe! Okay that’s arguably not so very surprising, I imagine most of us have banged toes at some time or other. Bear with me. This was years ago, on holiday with my wife and two young children. I pushed off from the shallow end of the swimming pool, misjudged the depth and kicked the bottom of the pool hard! “Pam...” I called out. “I’ve banged my big toe!” My wife collapsed in hysterical laughter! It wasn’t that she was unsympathetic, she just found the words and situation funny! To this day I only have to say “I’ve banged my big toe!” to reduce her to a giggling mess!

 

About the author
Martin Baker (“Call me Marty”) lives in the northeast of England. An ASIST trained Mental Health First Aider and a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mind, and BipolarUK, Marty is passionate about mental health. He is active online and runs the social media for Gum on My Shoe. In June 2015 he will complete a zip-line challenge for UK homelessness charity Crisis. Marty and his best friend Fran Houston are currently seeking a literary agent for their non-fiction book about how to be a good friend when your friend lives with mental illness.

 

Links

Email: martin.baker@hotmail.com

Web / blog: www.gumonmyshoe.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Marty.Baker.Author  (personal page)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GumOnMyShoe  (book page)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GumOnMyShoeBook

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martinbakerauthor

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/Marty_Baker

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Baker/e/B004QTBFMS#

 

Excerpts
untitled three

 

i think i’m

            falling

into friends with you:

allowing my affections leave

to flower

although i know you won’t be mine

(like all the rest)

still maybe in you i’ll regain

a little love lost on the way.

 

i feel i’ve found a newfriend

in you   .someone to think fondly of

speak fondly to, afraid though i

might hurt you   (like the rest)

by coming on too strong   .but

then you seem to like me,

made my world by phoning

            writing.

said you’d spend a day with me

 

a night …   i think i’m

                        falling

into trust with you,

or something deep as pillows

            soft

as your breathing   ,perilous

& tender

as one kiss i did not dream

 

and then you left me, like a dream

i had not kissed goodbye.

but on your promise of return

i think i’m

falling

into love again.

firstvisitor, my newfriend

let me fall for you

gently,

requiring only gentleness.  

 

Excerpt from Collected Poems: 1977–1984.

 

 

Sunshine and rainbows

Life is not all sunshine and rainbows. If it is real, if it has any depth, any meaning at all, then there are going to be edges and raw places. We have walked in some of those places, Fran. We are walking in such places now. It is not my job to protect you from them, just as it is not your job to protect me. It is our job, as friends, to be there in the darkness and the pain, so that we know we are not alone.

This book is about what it’s like to be in a relationship with someone with illness. More accurately, it’s about what it’s like for me and my best friend Fran, who lives on the other side of the world and has bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It is an obvious thing to say, but being friends with someone with chronic illness, especially mental illness, isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Despite Fran’s courage and humour, and my natural (some might say pathological) optimism, there is much that challenges us. Mania, depression, chronic pain, fatigue, and suicidal thinking are part of Fran’s life, and we face them together.

Excerpted from work in progress.

 

 

 

Why is the Internet Going Crazy Because a Duggar Kid Had a C-Section?

I don't get it.  Can someone please explain to me why the latest Duggar kid is all of a sudden a hero because she had a c-section?  I didn't even know there was a stigma in society against c-sections.  Seriously.  This is the first I'm hearing of it.  

In one article, a psychologist of some sort said that moms who wanted a vaginal birth but had to have a c-section need to have time to deal with their grief.  Excuse me?  Grief?  The only grief I experienced after my c-section was that I couldn't use the excuse "eating for two" anymore.  

I understand the hullabaloo about more natural shit regarding children, but to feel like I didn't give birth because my daughter didn't come out of my vagina?  I carried that child for 9 months.  Dealt with crazy hormones, back pain, sleepless nights, sneezing out pee and acid reflux that could take the wax off your car.  I gave birth to a child.  BELIEVE ME.  

There is no judgment on my part if you want to have an at-home birth in your bathtub with candles lit with Beethoven playing on your iPod.  And when your baby comes out into the water, the transition between being in mommy's tummy and earth is the most beautiful moment in the world.  

You want to know what my most beautiful moment in the world was like when my daughter was pulled from my stomach because after an hour of pushing (and shitting myself) she wasn't moving?  Throwing up because of the epidural.  So beautiful.

Now the Duggar kid is telling the world that next time, she will definitely have a "natural" birth.  Good for her.  But I just want to tell her that no one is judging her for having a c-section.  It happens.  Sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans and you have to roll with it.  

When my friends starting having babies (long before me) I was shocked that they were only in the hospital for 24 hours after giving birth.  Obviously the insurance company wants the new family to bond at home as quickly as possible.

You know what I got to do at the hospital because I had a c-section?  I got to stay there for 72 hours.  I was given Vicodin, Ambien, and was able to sleep any time I wanted.  I ordered my meals from the menu and had them brought right to my bed.  I even had a catheter so I didn't have to get up from bed to pee.  AND I was more pampered by the hospital staff in 72 hours than I was by my ex-husband for 9 months.  I really didn't want to leave.  

Natural birth, vaginal birth, c-section - it's all the same.  The end goal is to have a baby, isn't it?  Who cares how the baby comes into this world?  I don't know about you, but I can't look at a kid and tell whether or not he or she was delivered vaginally or via c-section.  And even if we could tell the difference, we wouldn't bully the kid, right?  

So why bully the mom?