David E. Gordon's Blog, page 4
November 11, 2014
RELEASE DAY BLITZ – Forgiveness Creek by Abbie St. Claire
Please join me in celebrating the release of Forgiveness Creek (The Creek Series, Book Two) by the fabulous author Abbie St. Claire.
Book: Forgiveness Creek
Author: Abbie St Claire
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
Starting over means saying goodbye…
Closure seems impossible…
A chance meeting brings a fresh start in an unforeseen world, until tragedy strikes…
Fate deals Wrenn an unexpected hand. With a shattered heart, she must find the courage to forgive and move forward because the life of another is now counting on her. Happiness seems out of reach until the day it was staring her down and daring her to empower herself.
Meeting Mr. Lawrence at the Cancer Center turned sadness into sunshine. She never anticipated that the ailing billionaire would come to mean the world to her in so many ways.
All is well until Dane Lawrence, the billionaire’s grandson gets Wrenn caught up in a deadly game of corporate espionage, where once again Wrenn is involved in a tragic event in the same barn that changed her life when she was just 17 years old.
This time, the nightmares consume her.
Author Bio:
I’ve spent many years crafting stories in my brain. Finally, after the encouragement from those that love and support me the most, I put my first story out by self-publishing in 2013.
That first milestone created a writing monster in me that couldn’t be stopped and filled a void I cannot explain. Each story is a true gift from my heart and a sacrifice from my soul, since I find it difficult to let the characters go.
At home in Texas, my husband and I share our life with children that mean the world to us and include a couple of fur babies. When we aren’t busy watching sports and betting on the game, we are entertaining with friends.
I do have a writing cave, but honestly, most of my work comes from the kitchen, the heartbeat of any home. Since noise doesn’t disturb me too much when writing, I can write and keep the pulse on the family at the same time. And… Possibly enjoy my favorite, sinful treat… Cookie dough!
The writer-reader world is my lifeline. I’m addicted and each time I get a message from a reader, I’m thrilled. There’s quite a few stories planned for the next several months. I’m hoping the readers fall in love with my next series, The Creek Series. A story that is guaranteed to bring out all the emotions.
Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbie.stclaire
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorabbiestclaire
Website: http://www.abbiestclaire.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/abbiestclaire
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Abbie-St.-Claire/e/B00JQGICZY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AbbieStC
Buy Links:
Amazon.com – http://amzn.to/1ryHUz2
Amazon.co.uk – http://amzn.to/1stGGZZ
Other Books in the Series:
November 10, 2014
Thank You!
Originally posted on mikajolie:
A note of thanks to everyone who helped made my cover reveal party such a success. You all totally ROCK!
http://amandahigelmire.blogspot.com/2014/11/need-you-now-by-mika-jolie-cover-reveal.html
http://theultimatefanblog.com/?p=741#comment-15
http://underneaththecoversblog.com/2014/11/09/need-you-now-by-mika-jolie/
http://www.alliekincheloe.com/need-you-now-cover-reveal/#respond
http://hello-booklover.tumblr.com/post/102155178072/cover-reveal-need-you-now-by-mika-jolie
http://pattikorbetauthor.blogspot.com/2014/11/cover-reveal-mika-jolies-need-you-now.html
November 8, 2014
Watch this young hockey fan’s priceless reaction as he gets to fist-bump all the Boston Bruins players
This kid’s face is priceless. But I love how the players all race to him.
Originally posted on Rare:
This little guy clearly loves his Boston Bruins — he’s got all the gear you need to join the super-fan ranks.
But during pre-game warm-ups he got to interact with his favorite players with a fist bump.
He clearly did not expect the first one to be as firm as it was. He shook the shock right out of his own hand afterwards. But it didn’t deter him from trying again.
His reactions really are priceless.
November 1, 2014
Cover Reveal – COLD HEAT by LeeAnne White
Please join me in celebrating the cover reveal of COLD HEAT by LeeAnne White.
Synopsis:
Leaving Las Vegas, and the reach of her abusive ex-husband, to face a huge winter storm was probably not the smartest thing Kaylie should have done, but with her gut screaming at her to go now, she sets off to find a new life on the other side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Retired Navy officer Drake Givens is creeping his was toward his home in the mountains when he comes across a car already being covered by the quickly accumulating snow. Finding a dazed and cold woman inside the car leaves him honor bound to help her.
As they are getting to know one another, Kaylie’s ex is ready for revenge and is getting closer to finding it.
Author Bio:
LeeAnne is a strong woman, mother, daughter, and sister, who recently discovered that dreams are there to be lived even if it means radical change in life. Now when she isn’t found introducing men to the subtleties and magic of DIY projects she equips women with words and power. Or she is cursing her gym coach called sadist.
Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LeeAnne-White/294134107431792?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lawhiteauthor
Blog: http://www.mondaylove2013.com/
Pre-Order Links
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1nQfYM0
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1zJQPrU
October 28, 2014
RELEASE DAY!!! Broken Creek by Abbie St. Claire
Please join me in celebrating (and rushing out to buy) Abbie St. Claire’s first of the Creek series. Broken Creek..
Synopsis:
A woman whose past holds her hostage…
A man who can’t let the past go…
A favor that brings them together again…
Pro fisherman, Stephan Hart let the best thing in his life get away. When Wrenn Cunningham ended their relationship, she was broken. He was shattered.
At age 17, Wrenn suffers a tragic event at the hands of her father in the barn on their property. When he dies, he takes their secret to his grave. To others, Wrenn’s small-town life in Arkansas might appear boring, but in reality, it’s far from easy. The daily physical and financial struggle to help her mother keep their ranch after her father’s untimely death begins to take a toll. Receiving a nursing school scholarship to a North Texas University means a chance to move away from her tiny existence and start over. It means a chance to leave her secret behind.
If only life was that simple… Nightmares find you no matter where you are.
Buy Links:
Amazon.com – http://amzn.to/101vXwr
Amazon.co.uk – http://amzn.to/1pg8pK8
Goodreads Book Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23365100-broken-creek-part-one-the-creek-series?ac=1
Author Bio:
I’ve spent many years crafting stories in my brain. Finally, after the encouragement from those that love and support me the most, I put my first story out by self-publishing in 2013.
That first milestone created a writing monster in me that couldn’t be stopped and filled a void I cannot explain. Each story is a true gift from my heart and a sacrifice from my soul, since I find it difficult to let the characters go.
At home in Texas, my husband and I share our life with children that mean the world to us and include a couple of fur babies. When we aren’t busy watching sports and betting on the game, we are entertaining with friends.
I do have a writing cave, but honestly, most of my work comes from the kitchen, the heartbeat of any home. Since noise doesn’t disturb me too much when writing, I can write and keep the pulse on the family at the same time. And… Possibly enjoy my favorite, sinful treat… Cookie dough!
The writer-reader world is my lifeline. I’m addicted and each time I get a message from a reader, I’m thrilled. There’s quite a few stories planned for the next several months. I’m hoping the readers fall in love with my next series, The Creek Series. A story that is guaranteed to bring out all the emotions.
Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbie.stclaire
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorabbiestclaire
Website: http://www.abbiestclaire.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/abbiestclaire
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Abbie-St.-Claire/e/B00JQGICZY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AbbieStC
October 26, 2014
Author Interview with Joseph Lewis
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Joseph Lewis, the author of Taking Lives currently sold on Amazon. I enjoyed speaking with Joseph and learning more about him and about his writing projects. Please join me in finding out about Joseph and wishing him the best of luck with his writing.
David: Tell us a a little about your self. Where are you from?
Joseph: I grew up in the Midwest, Wisconsin, but began teaching and coaching high school in Wyoming. I then coached college basketball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where I received my M.S. in Counseling. I came back to Wisconsin, moved to California, moved back to Wisconsin, and am now living and working in Virginia. I also like to travel.
David: Give us three “Good to Know” facts about you.
Joseph: Met my wife, Kim, in California, but we both grew up in Wisconsin and attended the same University, though ten years apart. I have spent 38 years in education as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator. I had a rock and roll cover band throughout middle school, was a soloist in high school, and even recorded a commercial or two.
David: What do you do when you’re not writing?
Joseph: I am a high school principal and a father of three (though my son, Wil, was recently deceased).
David: How would you describe this book to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?
Joseph: I write thrillers with a lot of mystery and suspense. My main characters are teenagers, and I would like to think that though I write thriller fiction, my stories contain a message of hope, courage, and survival.
The book currently found on Amazon is titled Taking Lives and has received particularly excellent reviews. It is a work of fiction and the prequel to my trilogy. It is about human trafficking, specifically children, and based upon my experience as a counselor and as an adjunct educator who had volunteered with an organization dedicated to children who are missing and sexually exploited. The first book of the trilogy, Stolen Lives, is also a work of fiction, and it comes out November 10th.
David: Is this part of a series and does it have to be read in order?
Joseph: Yes. Taking Lives is the prequel to my trilogy and introduces me to readers and readers to the trilogy. I don’t believe one has to read it first, though I’m told by my beta readers that it is helpful in getting to know the characters and in understanding some of the action and thoughts in the series. I think the series, actually any series whether mine or someone else’s, should be read in sequence.
David: Which part of researching your book was personally the most interesting to you?
Joseph: I think the facts from the Center for Missing Children, along with facts from the FBI site were interesting, but what was most interesting was listening to stories from kids and parents of those kids who had been abused and in at least one or two cases, still missing.
David: When and why did you begin writing?
Joseph: Way back in elementary school. I had a marvelous sixth grade teacher, Sr. Josephe’ Marie, who I’m lucky enough that even today I can call her a friend. She used to give us story prompts whenever we finished work early. These would be open-ended lead paragraphs and the idea was for us to complete it into a story. This gave me my first love of writing. I could never get or do enough of them growing up.
David: How do you relate to the characters? And how does that help make them feel more like real people?
Joseph: My characters are very real to me. I see them. I hear them speak. I watch as they react. I tend to write visually and vividly, and from what I’ve read from the reviews, the readers seem to “picture” them and “see” them too. I will say that I have a couple of favorites and I think any reader will quickly tell who they are as they turn the pages.
David: How important was it for you to make the book as realistic as possible?
Joseph: Without realism, any book becomes boring and a “cardboard cutout” and that doesn’t interest me in the least. Readers are so very intelligent and they can readily and intuitively feel when an author is lazy. I’ve been told that Taking Lives and Stolen Lives is too gritty and disturbing. Well, so is human trafficking and if I can disturb others, all the better because bottom-line, we need to protect our kids and educate the public. I take pride in making my stories real. If not, I’m wasting my time and the reader’s time.
David: Do you write with a detailed master plan, or take a general idea and characters and see where it goes as you write? Why?
Joseph: I have an idea and go with it. I don’t outline. I do a lot of prewriting in my head way before I sit at a computer to write. There have been times when I sit down thinking that the story will go in one direction, only to be happily surprised when it shifts in a different direction based upon dialogue, action and setting. I know it sounds crazy, but I mean it when I say that sometimes, my characters take over and I just become the facilitator.
David: What inspired you to write your first book?
Joseph: Jacob Wetterling’s story. If you aren’t familiar with him, Jacob was taken at gunpoint in front of friends in October of 1989. He was eleven years old at the time. There have been many leads and a tremendous amount of investigation, but Jake is still missing. Taking Lives is actually dedicated to all missing children, but specifically dedicated to Jacob Wetterling.
David: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Joseph: I believe all and any writing, good writing, should teach a truth or make a truth apparent. So yes, in my writing, I want the reader to understand that the world can be both – sometimes at the same time – an ugly and beautiful place to live, and that there is always hope and that the human spirit is courageous and inspiring.
David: What are you reading right now? Are there any authors that you would name as influences?
Joseph: I’m reading Death Comes Home by Jeffrey Bruff; Burn by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge; and Deadline by John Sanford. I would say that Sanford, Patterson, and David Baldacci are my influences, but would give a shout out and nod to Nathanial Hawthorne and Edgar Alan Poe.
David: If you had a book club, what would it be reading — and why?
Joseph: Anything that is thriller fiction, in the crime/mystery/suspense area. Can’t get enough, and as a writer, one has to read, especially in the genre in which one writes.
David: Where there any specific books that have influenced your writing the most?
Joseph: Stephen King’s novella, The Body that was later made into the movie Stand By Me. I’ve read that particular story and watched that movie some many times that I think I can almost say the dialogue along with the characters. Ghost Story by Peter Straub is another.
David: What are you currently working on?
Joseph: I am currently writing the last book in the trilogy, Splintered Lives. I’m about a fourth of the way through it. I know how it will end and I already know the last scene. I just have to get there. The second book of the trilogy, Shattered Lives is already finished and waiting for publication, which will be sometime this winter or spring after readers have a go at Stolen Lives, due out November 10th.
Taking Lives may be purchased on Amazon via: http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Lives-Joseph-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00MG2JAWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407974964&sr=8-1&keywords=Taking+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis
Twitter: @JRLewisAuthor
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/JRLewisAuthor
Blog: Simple Thoughts From A Complicated Mind, Sort Of
October 24, 2014
Look Around and Open your Eyes
It’s another crisp autumn morning and I am heading in to the office. The past couple of weeks I have been getting off the train a couple of stops early to extend my walk in. Originally it was because I was part of a family itBit challenge to walk the most in a week. But, now I find that I am really enjoying it.
While I may have run a half marathon I am by no means athletic. There is a part of me that enjoys the walk and how invigorating it feels. The fresh air, even when it is cool, blows through what little hair I have. It opens up the senses and gets me to look around. When I get in to work I feel so much more awake than with just coffee.
The other nice part of it is that I am walking through a great city, and like a lot of other large cities there is a huge mix of ethnicities blending together. And as I walk along you can see the mix of businesses as well, all vibrant in their own right. The mom and pop pizza shop is sandwiched between the Wendy’s and the Subway. Or the hat shop – as in Fedora’s and similar hats – that sits among the ice cream shop or the Starbucks.
The small side streets, not even wide enough to be called an alley, beautifully decorated with flowers. Despite the small space owners find enough space for a simple chair and small table. This is home. It easy to imagine that these people are not even seeing the city, but their own little slice of heaven.
And the people are so very different. For a writer it is a dream come true. Almost every day I pass a store or a person or a building and think – that has got to be in my book. How do you leave the middle aged man in a Brooks Brother suit and tie walking three dogs at 8am out of the book? Especially when two of them are poodles and the third is a doberman.
Everyone says that their city is the best, whether you are in New York, Dallas, Boston, or Los Angeles. Or here in Philadelphia. I just hope that you can take the time to walk through it. Open your eyes and look around you. Even if you are not writing a new book, you will see things you can’t see driving down the streets.
October 21, 2014
Cover Reveal of Hard Limit by Meredith Wild
Please join me in celebrating the cover reveal of HARD LIMIT by Meredith Wild. This is part of The Hacker Series.
Synopsis
Blake Landon is a man who has everything—wealth, good looks, and the love of Erica Hathaway. The power couple has been through hell and back, and when life has torn them apart, somehow they have always found their way back to each other, more in love and stronger than ever.
Erica has never been more ready to say I do. On the verge of making the ultimate commitment, she uncovers an unsettling chapter of Blake’s history. As she makes peace with her own past and the family who left her behind, she presses Blake to tear down the last walls between them. Determined to know the man he once was, she opens a door to a world beyond her wildest imagination—a world that has her questioning the limits of her own desires.
As danger lurks and dark secrets come to light, will the past destroy their promise of forever?
Meet the Author
Meredith Wild is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of romance. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. You can find her at http://www.facebook.com/meredithwild
https://twitter.com/wildmeredith
Hard Limit PRE-ORDER LINKS: http://www.meredithwild.com/book/hard-limit/
All the books in The Hacker Series can be found at: http://meredithwild.com/books
October 3, 2014
Characters in Writing
This past week I have been writing a lot more in my second book and am still “searching” for my villain. I am ok taking more time to find the villain in my head because I need to make sure I have the other characters well developed. But, I have been thinking more about the characters in general and building them up. When I wrote Cutter my focus was initially on Cutter, since he was obviously the most important part of the story. I have heard from several other authors how their characters speak to them, and they have to let the characters tell their story. That may sound like a writers’ “line”, but I can tell you it’s not. There is another interesting thing about the characters in our stories, and how important they are. I have also heard from several people that one of my characters in Cutter – Joseph – was a great character. The interesting thing for me is that I didn’t really plan it that way. While he plays a major role in the story, I truly didn’t expect think of him that way. I have been thinking about how he got to be who he is. And it struck me – because that’s who he is. What I mean is that I really do feel like Joseph did and said the things that he should do and say. Once I had his role in the story it just made sense that he is who he is. I didn’t really have any choice in developing his part in the story. And that my friends is what makes me feel like a writer. Knowing that it is my character telling his story, or making sure that he gets to play his part in the unfolding drama. In Cutter the basic story told itself, I just helped it along. I just the second book can be the same. So today, I would like to thank my characters for being who they are, and not letting me change them!
Charachters in Writing
This past week I have been writing a lot more in my second book and am still “searching” for my villain. I am ok taking more time to find the villain in my head because I need to make sure I have the other characters well developed. But, I have been thinking more about the characters in general and building them up.
When I wrote Cutter my focus was initially on Cutter, since he was obviously the most important part of the story. I have heard from several other authors how their characters speak to them, and they have to let the characters tell their story. That may sound like a writers’ “line”, but I can tell you it’s not.
There is another interesting thing about the characters in our stories, and how important they are. I have also heard from several people that one of my characters in Cutter – Joseph – was a great character. The interesting thing for me is that I didn’t really plan it that way. While he plays a major role in the story, I truly didn’t expect think of him that way.
I have been thinking about how he got to be who he is. And it struck me – because that’s who he is. What I mean is that I really do feel like Joseph did and said the things that he should do and say. Once I had his role in the story it just made sense that he is who he is. I didn’t really have any choice in developing his part in the story.
And that my friends is what makes me feel like a writer. Knowing that it is my character telling his story, or making sure that he gets to play his part in the unfolding drama. In Cutter the basic story told itself, I just helped it along. I just the second book can be the same.
So today, I would like to thank my characters for being who they are, and not letting me change them!
