A 3rd Time to Die by George A Bernstein @GeorgeBernstein

Ashley Easton rescues a badly abused horse, deciding to return to show jumping, the passion of her youth. The animal gives unquestioned love, something lacking from her husband, Keith. But when Ashley begins to compete, she is terrified as the show course seemingly changes into an old forest and the jumps appear as real walls, fences and trees. Her thoughts spill through her head in elegant French. As she attacks the fences with an unfamiliar, fearless abandon, she begins winning every competition.

Craig Thornton, an avid horseman, happens upon Ashley’s first competition, entranced as he watches her jump her horse, Injun. Mystically drawn toward each other, it’s as if they knew the other…but from where? After several missed opportunities, they finally meet, becoming fast friends, their love of jumping horses a mutual bond.

Ashley seeks therapy to address a strange terror swamping her whenever she’s intimate. During hypnotic regression, she’s stunned to find herself in two apparent past lives, first in the 17th Century, on a fox hunt as the fearless French horsewoman who fills her head while jumping, and again, 150 years later in Philadelphia, a shipping tycoons daughter. Both times she is fulfilled by glorious romance, followed by the terror of their brutal murder while making fervid love in a forested glade!

The doctor says these are figments of her subconscious, but he’s shaken, knowing the truth. He realizes those were real past lives, and their killer may be lurking again, nearby.

Ashley and Craig soon discover more than friendship. As these two newly rediscovered lovers struggle to free themselves from broken marriages, others plan to fulfill a 300 year-old legacy of death.

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Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – PG13

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Catherine Astolfo – Fact & Fiction @cathyastolfo

Fact and Fiction: Writing a Mystery Book

by Catherine Astolfo

Writing mystery books is more difficult than it might appear. Only highly intelligent people can do it. Keeping all the clues straight requires an entire box of cue cards. Or a night’s worth of napkins from the pub. Or writing on the wall with washable markers. (Those were washable, right?) Not to mention quelling the temptation to reveal too much. Just enough to keep the reader guessing; not so little that they’re completely in the dark. And then comes the research!

There’s an old adage that says, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” Writers can’t get all the research right every time, can we? I mean, sometimes the situation cries out for a manipulation of the facts.

However, the background information provided in a novel is often fascinating, if not entirely accurate to the last drop.

We are all familiar with the detective story, police officer or PI variety.  Think of how much we’ve learned about processing a crime scene because we’ve read these books. Doesn’t mean we could conduct one, but… Other writers opened the world of forensic pathology, autopsies and morgues with the result that many shows on the subjects turned up in television.

Even in the “simplest”of novels, the background information is important. By simple, I mean they’re not necessarily focused on a field of work. They’re not primarily detective or legal or medical fiction, but tell a tale about rather ordinary folk.

In my first book, The Bridgeman, I portray an old-fashioned lift bridge and the person who manages it. I had to actually go and look at a bridge to see how that worked. My protagonist throughout the series, the Emily Taylor Mysteries, is a school principal in a small town. Luckily, I was a principal in my other life, so I had experience on my side. When the caretaker is murdered in the school, I have to explain how the education system would handle such a thing.

Then there is the puppy mill. For this section, as difficult as it was, I wrote about the experiences of my niece as a veterinarian’s assistant.

In Victim, I had to do a lot of reading about Ojibwa folklore and philosophy. Legacy returns to the school and its processes with Emily’s handling of a very dysfunctional family, plus there are tidbits about the effects of fire, inquests and hypnosis. The research! My fourth book, Seventh Fire, discusses a wrongful conviction and how these tragic mistakes happen. My Forensics for Dummies and Criminal Investigative Failures are well thumbed.

Although the stories are fiction, and some of the facts may not be one percent accurate, there is enough background information to give the reader a more in-depth picture of the setting, the characters and how the plot plays out. It may even lead a reader to investigate the topic further.

There must be enough fact even in fiction. You can see why only highly intelligent people can write a mystery. Or is that statement fiction?

If I knew what I know now, would I have searched so hard for the truth?

Anne Williams says she killed her best friend, Karoline. But did she? Or is there more to Karoline’s mysterious death than meets the eye?

Anne embarks on a compelling journey to discover her past and exposes an unusual history, horrific crimes and appalling betrayals. Through unexpected turns and revelations, Anne learns about love, family and who she really is. Can she survive the truth?

Editorial Reviews

“A deliciously vibrant portrait that realistically muddles good and evil.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Astolfo’s wonderful first sentence in Sweet Karoline explodes on the page and resonates right to the end of this twisting examination of dangerous minds. Never have I encountered a narrative voice that alternates more deftly between alienating and enticing.” —Mel Bradshaw, author of Fire On The Runway

“A deliciously twisted story about the perplexing power of adult female relationships. By turns scathingly funny and darkly insightful, Sweet Karoline is a hedonistic journey with all the right ingredients: lust, betrayal, true love and mystery. Grab a glass of wine and have the bottle handy. A compelling read from the start through to the surprising end.” —Robin Spano, author of Death’s Last Run

“In Catherine Astolfo’s chilling new novel Sweet Karoline, things aren’t always as they seem. Anne, the multifaceted anti-heroine in this noir tale takes a fateful journey into her forgotten past, uncovering the painful roots of her childhood. While furrowing for answers, a mystery unfolds, truths swirl to the surface, a heinous murder occurs. Who’s the killer? Caught in a tangled web of greed, lies and deceit Anne must come to terms with her past, present and future, and the bleak realization that those we hold close may be the last ones to trust. Compelling, visually descriptive, deftly delivered…Catherine Astolfo’s got the goods!” —Douglas Wickard, author of A Perfect Husband

“Sweet Karoline is a multi-layered mystery, where nothing is as it seems. The story grips you on page one and leads you through a maze of history, twisted relationships, and ultimately the darkness of the human mind.” —Liz Bugg, author of Oranges and Lemons

“In Sweet Karoline, Astolfo has created a daring hybrid mystery that combines elements of romance, history, and suspense in a carefully crafted story that keeps you guessing to the very end. Astolfo explores new boundaries as she extends her reach beyond the cozy mystery in this psychological exploration of the mind of a killer. A unique exploration of guilt and revenge.” —Michael J. McCann, author of The Fregoli Delusion

“The clever plot twists in Sweet Karoline will enrapture you from page one through the last paragraphs of this fast-paced modern mystery. Author Catherine Astolfo exhibits a strikingly perceptive gift for believable dialogue and rich character development. Her dry wit and colorful descriptions will have you howling in laughter at points, but in tears at others as she digs deep into the themes of guilt, race, and relationships. The powers of love and redemption are strong, but does the heart of an Ice Queen ever really melt? Enjoy the romp from Los Angeles, through Canada, to a priceless Italian rendezvous—all in the pages of Sweet Karoline, where long-buried secrets lie.” —Lisa Pell, award-winning author of Who’s Your Daddy, Baby?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre –  Psychological Suspense

Rating – 18+

Connect with Catherine Astolfo on Facebook  & Twitter

Website http://www.catherineastolfo.com/

Author Interview – April Bostic

How much of the book is realistic?

Not very much. It takes place in a world were werewolves and Norse gods exist. I think the most realistic aspects are the reactions from some of the human characters.

How important do you think villains are in a story?

Very important. They help balance the goodness and are effective in creating conflicts.

Can we expect any more books from you in the future?

My fourth short story, A Dark Scandal, will be released in e-book in December 2013.

Do you have any advice for writers?

If you write a story, and you’re passionate about it, don’t give up on it. See it through to the end, because you’ll feel so good about yourself when you do. It’s a major accomplishment to finish a story, whether it’s a short story, novella, or novel. Don’t get discouraged by negative readers or reviews. Remember for every person who doesn’t like your work, there will be someone who does. Writing, like all forms of art, is subjective, and not everyone is going to like your work. Be brave and put yourself out there. It takes a lot of courage to be a writer or author. Don’t be afraid, because you’ll realize it’s not so scary once you do it.

Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers?

I hope you decide to read The Howling Heart. I promise it will stir of a rollercoaster of emotions.

If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be?

Never be afraid to write. Even if you don’t think you’re no good at it. Try it, because the more you do it, the better you’ll get and the more confidence you’ll gain.

Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when she’s given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.

Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv–wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but she never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.

Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Paranormal Romance

Rating – Adult

More details about the author

Connect with April Bostic on Goodreads

Website http://www.aprilbostic.com/

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Author Interview – JD Combs

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? My family is beyond supportive of my writing.  My kids absolutely adore my blog Oh For the Love of My Children… They love reading about our day-to-day lives from my point of view.  As for my friends and their support, it’s been instrumental in helping me move forward with my writing.  I couldn’t have done any of what I’ve done without them.

Do you plan to publish more books? I plan to publish and publish until people tell me to stop.  I have two sequels in the works and I’d like to take the “best of” my blog and publish that as well.

If I could study any subject at a university it would be psychology.  I love the thought of looking into other people’s heads and trying to help straighten them out.

If I could live anywhere in the world, and still have easy access to my family after they’ve grown and gone, I would live on a Caribbean Island where warm tropical breezes tickle my face when I wake up in the morning.

One of my all-time, favorite movies is Love Actually.  It warms my heart every time I watch it.

Hands down my favorite meal is crab legs ~ just crab legs, nothing else.

One thing that gets me more fired up than anything is women/girl’s rights.  I just watched Girl Rising.  It was a powerful movie about the plight of women and girls across the world.  It made me realize how far we still need to go to make sure all of our girls grow up to be strong, educated women who don’t have worry about living in poverty, being infected with AIDS or being beaten, raped or killed because they are female.

Charley, a devoted wife and mother of five, has a life that looks picture perfect to those around her. But years of living life in a neglected marriage make her question her relationship with her husband. Charley spends sleepless nights writing in her journal and trying to find happiness in the life she has. She’s not sure she can continue living a dull, loveless life anymore.
When an old high school crush strikes up a conversation on the Internet, an innocent flirtation begins. Charley begins to, once again, feel alive and vibrant, but she quickly learns not everything is what it seems. Will her naiveté in the online world propel her toward the point of no return? Will the woman who seemed to have it all lose it in the blink of an eye? Or will Charley finally find the happiness she’s been craving?

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Genre –  Romantic Suspense

Rating – R (adult language / sexual scenes)

More details about the author & the book

Connect with JD Combs on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.jdcombs.com/

Patricia Sands – Setting Goals Never Ends @Patricia_Sands

Setting goals never ends – here are my latest. What are yours?

by Patricia Sands , author of The Bridge Club and The Promise of Provence

Condensing my thoughts into fewer words is my primary goal for future projects. Both of my novels have hovered around the 130,000-word mark and the ideal is 80,000 – 90,000. I realize now that I should have separated The Promise of Provence into two books and could easily have done so.

My advice: pay close attention to your word count from the beginning of your WIP. If you see it is getting out of hand, take a look and see how you might tighten up. The other option is to see if you are really writing more than one book. Bonus if you are!

My second goal is to be more organized about thoughts and research. I tend to write notes to myself on post-its and end up with an enormous stack. My basic and most important research I keep in notes on my computer and can easily refer to it but the random ideas, words, and bits of information always end up on post-its. I have to find a way to keep these more organized.

My advice: develop an organized method of making all of your thoughts and ideas easily accessible. I like the idea shown here and am going to try to do this for my next novel that is slowly simmering as I write this!

Write on!

Samples to Savor: Book Club Picks, presented by Her Books:

Discover your book club’s next page-turner and spark fascinating conversations with your friends in this free sampling from eight bestselling authors. You’ll find rich prose, evocative plots, compelling characters and surprising twists from:

Finding Emma by Steena Holmes
Composing Myself by Elena Aitken
Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
The Scandalous Ward by Karla Darcy
The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge by Christine Nolfi
The Promise of Provence by Patricia Sands
Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson
Depraved Heart by Kathleen Valentine

About the Author(s):
Bestselling authors Steena Holmes, Elena Aitken, Rachel Thompson, Patricia Sands, Christine Nolfi, Kathleen Valentine, Bette Lee Crosby and Karla Darcy provide readers worldwide with contemporary fiction and nonfiction releases ranging from historical romance to literary.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre –  Women’s Fiction

Rating – PG

Connect with the authors on Faceboook

Website http://herbestbooks.com/

Onio by Linell Jeppsen @nelj8

In this modern world of science and high technology, in secret places deep under the ground and in the forest primeval, legends still walk the earth and what we think of as myth and fairy tale are all too real.

Driving home late one night, Melody Carver, bereft and grieving after the death of her mother, sees a strange creature standing on the lonely road. This being will change her world-view forever, and open her eyes to a reality beyond her imagination.

Melody’s chance encounter on that dark and snowy road will mark the beginning of a journey of discovery and wonder that will bring two worlds together in hope and despair.

Can one person bridge the gap between the ancient and the modern, the mundane and the magical?

An urban fantasy filled with adventure, romance, war, heartbreak and triumph!

ONIO! Unlike anything, you have ever read before!

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Genre – Fantasy/Romance

Rating – PG13

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Website http://neljeppsen.weebly.com/

Jack Canon’s American Destiny by Greg Sandora

Take a Journey for the Greater Good in this intensely gripping, loving thriller. Join Jack Canon and his insanely loyal team of friends and family as they make their all-or-nothing run for the presidency. You’ll laugh out loud and have your heart ripped in two; all while holding your breath, sitting on the edge of your chair. You’ll become emotionally committed as you find yourself standing behind your new courageous – unstoppable heroes – forced to take unimaginable steps to reach their goal. You’ll be shocked at the heart-wrenching cost.

JACK CANON’S AMERICAN DESTINY – TO SOMEDAY HAVE THE POWER, TO DEDICATE THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND–TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. THIS TIME HE’S ALL IN.

Meghan’s Review. this reader captured the essence of the Story of Jack Canon. Both men and woman will enjoy the book.

“‘Jack Canon’s American Destiny’ is one of those intense political thrillers that simply deserve to be made into a movie for full, complete enjoyment. This is especially true right in the wake of the recent Academy Awards and movies like ‘Argo’ and ‘Lincoln’ bringing home the bacon. But on its own, this book is immersive—you can live and breathe in the world of Jack Canon—his full range of concerns, from picayune to grandiose, consists of things that are close to every American’s heart.

Jack Canon is an everyman—you can relate to his positive traits, even his minor character flaws, and mostly you can relate to his will get the presidency. Cleverly written, sprinkled with the right amount of “spice” to keep the level of interest high, ‘American Destiny’ is a tale that grips your heart and squeeze it—Jack Canon’s mission to redistribute wealth and give everybody cheap energy is not exactly acceptable in the eyes (and pockets) of those whose businesses will be affected. And from there, the plot thickens.

Finishing the book, your heart aches because you know Jack Canon isn’t real—he’s an ideal, made magically alive by the sheer talent of Greg Sandora. But that doesn’t mean we cannot aspire. As in the book’s timeline, 2016, maybe the book is telling us to be really, really wise in our choices. Meanwhile, download a copy of this book and sink your teeth in the kind of literary entertainment I’ve never seen since Alex Cross.”

Joanna’s Review. “Jack Canon is an idealist. He’s on the road to fight the good fight and the only road that will allow him to do that is the one leading to the White House. Great plan, but plans don’t always end up going the way we want. This Senior Democratic Senator from Kentucky is a kind, smart, charismatic family man. He is a man of superior intelligence who isn’t afraid to admit to a mistake. He has always been faithful, but he has a very intimate, hands off relationship with Sandy his assistant. Hopefully this won’t derail his campaign…

“Jack Canon’s American Destiny” is a sly ride on a slippery slope. This fast paced thriller is packed with political issues that mirror what we have going on today. If you notice, the villains are a conglomerate of who we have deadly problems with right now, so it echoes what we deal with on the global level at this time.

The author, Greg Sandora, manages to introduce all this well written madness in a way that will keep you glued to this book. Sandora has used well flushed out characters, timely villains, an image of our present president therefore the actions are very relatable to the reader.

Want to have some fun? Want to read something that will have you dangling over the edge of a cliff in that good way that starts your heart pumping and your adrenaline kicking in?”

Diane’s review .“I rarely choose a book about politics, but since becoming addicted to the hit show Scandal, I thought Jack Canon`s American Destiny might be an interesting read. To my amazement, I totally enjoyed this political thriller.

Allow me to congratulate the author on his impressive debut. As a writer, he has a talent that allows an immediate connection with his characters, especially Jack.

The book moves at a relaxing pace. But I must admit, I became extremely absorbed when the author reveals an unexpected twist making it a suspenseful page turner!

I can’t wait to read the highly anticipated sequel.”

Jackie’s review. “Get ready to take a ride. The suspense, the loyalty, the inside world of politics all wrapped into a thriller you will not want to put down. I am recommending this to my book club and any book club who wants a good read for a change.”

Terry’s Review. I have read this book in it’s infancy stage and was amazed. The final product riveting. Ben Affleck, you are the perfect Director, Producer and Actor to be Jack Canon. It is ready for the big screen. Read it now and you will want more of Jack. This book will inspire your next election choice. We need a real life Jack Canon for President. Move over Alex Cross, here comes a new generation hero. This is a story that can take many turns and always keep you waiting for the next chapter. It is written from the heart with passion, but with some hope for all Americans that fiction can be real if you only want it bad enough. So for you politicians out there that want to be the next President, read this book.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Political Thriller

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Greg Sandora on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.gregsandora.com/

Semmant by Vadim Babenko

A brilliant scientist creates a brilliant robot. Working together, they beat the stock market. But which one will survive the battle for love?

When Bogdan Bogdanov, a troubled cybernetics genius, creates Semmant, a robot living inside a computer, he feels on top of the world. Semmant takes on the capital markets and makes money with the ruthless efficiency of a machine. Bogdan grows richer by the day, but when he falls deeply for the irresistible Lidia, Semmant’s artificial mind faces a new challenge. The robot becomes involved in a genuine human drama and is forced to confront the cruelty of real life. He discovers the eternal joy of what it means to have free will, but it takes him to a destination no one could have predicted.

This is a tale of lust and affection, an erotically charged story of betrayal and murder. It explores the scope of human feelings from a truly unique point of view. Universal chaos and the strict laws of society; precise mathematical rules and the elusive nature of love: all interact and clash, working together and against one another. Tragedy looms, but free will fights back – bringing hope that lasts forever.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Amazon UK

Genre - Literary Fiction

Rating – NC17

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Vadim Babenko on GoodReads

Website http://www.vadimbabenko.com/

The Benjamin Chronicles: Relativity by Matthew DiConti

Conal Benjamin never let the love of his life Abigail Bradley know of his romantic feelings for her. Years of living with that regret haunted Conals life and left him with an emptiness in his heart. In one serendipitous moment they are reunited at an alumni science exhibit giving Conal a second chance but in a cruel twist of fate Conal’s triggers an unexpected chain of events sending Abby and himself through a wormhole to 1888 Whitechapel, London, the time and place of one of the most horrifying serial killers in history, Jack the Ripper. With the time machine lost and Conal and Abby separated, the fate of both of their lives hang in the balance. Nothing is what it appears to be and it’s up to Conal to unravel the mysteries that await him, before it’s too late.

“I could not put this cleverly crafted paranormal fiction novel down. I can’t wait to go on the next time travel journey with Benjamin! It would make for a great TV Series/Feature Film. Out of 5 stars I give it 6!”   - Kelly V. Dolan, NBC News Radio

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Paranormal Fiction

Rating – NC17

More details about the author

Connect with Matthew DiConti on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://matthewdiconti.com/

#TimeTravel The Titan Drowns by Nhys Glover

Three loves are discovered as the clock counts down to 11.40 pm April 14, 1912. Karl Ontario is a medical researcher not an adventurer but when an audacious mission is proposed to go back in time to save doomed children on the ill-fated Atlantic liner, RMS Titanic, he makes sure he’s included on the team. Little does he realise that his own future happiness depends on saving the life of just one passenger: Lizzie Faulkner, an unwed mother-to-be.

Eilish Cork is a time travelling Retriever and this mission is like any other to her until she falls in love with her handsome Target, London barrister Maxwell Ingham, and is asked to risk everything to save him from his fate on the maiden voyage of that tragic ship.

And sweet Pia Rogaland, whose only goal is to rescue the children on board the Titanic until she meets Marco Lorenza, a man she’s not permitted to save.

With time running out, is it possible to rescue those victims history determined went down with the unsinkable Ship of Dreams or will more lives be forfeited trying to carry out this dangerous mission?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Romance

Rating – Between PG13 and R (sensual but not erotic)

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Nhys Glover on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://nhysglover.com/

Author Interview – Kim Cano

Do you intend to make writing a career? Yes. It’s the only job I enjoy so much I have no desire to retire.

Have you developed a specific writing style? I don’t know. I think one’s style is always changing, being shaped by what one reads. I read good books, so I’m hoping I will get better too.

What is your greatest strength as a writer? Persistence, and being willing to accept critique and not be afraid if it hurts. How better to learn I think.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? I have. It usually stems from wanting to write a story but not really knowing the characters. Then I go on the treadmill and think about them some more and then come back to the computer.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? Sure. A Widow Redefined is a women’s fiction novel that features a young widow who is transformed by the power of friendship. It also appeals to male readers who have lost a loved one. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to have been contacted by several men saying they enjoyed the book.

How did you come up with the title? I wanted something short and to the point that conveyed what the book was about.

Can you tell us about your main character? Her name is Amy, and she’s a young widow raising a seven-year-old son. She works in an office, and her mom lives with her to help out. She’s a very average American woman. Except she’s stuck and can’t move on after her husband’s death a few years before.

How did you develop your plot and characters? The plot was always there. I never developed it. These people just existed somehow and I wrote about them. At least that’s what it felt like.

On a cold Valentine’s Day in Chicago, Amy White, a young widow who lost her husband to cancer, visits the cemetery and makes an unsettling discovery: a bouquet of fresh daffodils lying in front of her husband’s grave.

Curiosity grows into obsession as Amy searches for the stranger who left the flowers, while keeping her activities a secret from her live-in mother and seven-year-old son. The search leads to an unusual friendship that transforms her world and redefines her life.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Women’s Fiction

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Kim Cano on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.kimcano.com/

Brian Cormack Carr – Why Book Covers Are So Vital

Why Book Covers Are So Vital

by Brian Cormack Carr

I recently self-published my first book How To Find Your Vital Vocation: A Practical Guide To Discovering Your Career Purpose And Getting A Job You Love, and I asked my blog readers to help me choose the book’s cover.  I knew the cover would be a vitally important factor in the book’s success, so I wanted to get it right.

It’s important to bear in mind that the cover is likely to be the first thing a potential reader of your book will encounter.  In today’s online world, that cover has to stand out even when it’s in thumbnail size on a computer screen.  You want your cover to attract the reader, not repel them.

Get Professional Help

For that reason, I strongly recommend that all self-published authors hire a professional cover designer (unless they themselves have very professional graphic design skills).  Professional cover design doesn’t have to cost the earth, and it really will help your book to hold its own against the competition from traditional publishing houses.  After all the hard work you put into writing your book, you don’t want to stop it in its tracks with an amateurish cover.

Don’t worry that hiring a professional designer will take away from your influence on the book.  Far from it – a good cover designer will work with you to ensure you get the cover you want.

My cover designer and I sifted through a range of different images that we felt might suit the topic of my book – job hunting and career change – and then I chose three or four images I particularly liked. Using these images, she mocked up a range of potential covers for me to have a look at.  I whittled the choices down to two, but discovered at that point I was stuck!  I just couldn’t choose, because they were both great options.

How I Chose My Cover – and Got Readers To Help

I turned the choice (which was between a cover featuring some cartoon people and one featuring an elephant on a tightrope) over to my blog readers, mailing list subscribers and social media followers. Effectively,  I “crowd sourced” opinions on which cover would most attract them.  I made this a competition – everyone who participated was in with a chance of winning a signed copy of the paperback version of the book.

This was useful in a couple of ways.  It helped me assess which cover would be most attractive to a potential reader, and it also served as a “trailer” to my audience for the book’s imminent release.

As you can see, my audience chose the cover featuring the elephant.  The choice wasn’t unanimous, but the elephant was a very clear winner, and it turns out that the people who like it do so for many different reasons.

Some see this amazing creature as a symbol of strength, wisdom and purpose. Some see the tightrope as a sign of the balancing act we all must perform on the journey to our ideal work. Some feel the umbrella indicates hope and is representative of the tools we need to help us along the way (especially if we fall). One person told me the image made him think of the precarious nature of the job market nowadays, while another said it made her feel like anything was possible if we’re really using our inborn talents. Some people see the elephant as unhappy and in desperate need of careers advice, while others feel this as an elephant that has clearly found its Vital Vocation!

I love the image because it seems to say something relevant to every eye that sees it, and that feels right for a book that’s all about charting your own individual path to the work you love.

So – what does the elephant on my cover say to you?

BIOGRAPHY:

Brian Cormack Carr is a writer, certified career coach and chief executive of BVSC The Centre for Voluntary Action, one of the UK’s leading local charities.  He trained in personnel management with Marks & Spencer plc and gained an MA (Hons) in English Literature and Language from the University of Aberdeen.  Brian has nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of personal development and leadership, and has helped hundreds of clients, readers and workshop participants to find fulfilling work and a renewed sense of purpose.

Websites: www.cormackcarr.com ; www.vitalvocation.com

Twitter: @cormackcarr

Ready to choose or change your job? Stuck in work you hate? Think the career of your dreams is beyond your reach?

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO FIND YOUR VITAL VOCATION

If you don’t love your work, you deserve better – and with this book at your side, you can get it. A lively and potentially life-changing guide,How To Find Your Vital Vocation sets out a simple-to-follow yet profoundly effective process that will take you step-by-step from wherever you are now to a working life based on your most cherished dreams.

LEARN HOW TO:

• Hear the inner call that’s telling you what will make you truly happy
• Rediscover your gifts and use them to build a perfectly-tailored career
• Identify and overcome the obstacles that stand between you and your ideal work
• Create powerful networks to help you find great jobs that are never advertised
• Find out what it takes to become an entrepreneur of the future
• Maximise the impact of your job applications
• Ace every interview
• Attain reward levels that will help you thrive – even in this tough economy!

Put yourself in charge of your career – once and for all. Packed with valuable insights, powerful exercises and illuminating self-coaching questions, How To Find Your Vital Vocation will help you chart a practical path to a fun and fulfilling livelihood. In this comprehensive resource, expert career coach Brian Cormack Carr shows you how to find your passion and purpose and finally start doing the work you were born to do.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“Too many of us have gone about finding our livelihood in a haphazard way. Before long, we become a statistic in a job dissatisfaction survey. Happily, it doesn’t have to be that way and Brian Cormack Carr proves it. If you think that work should be about more – much more – than just a way to pay your bills, this book is the roadmap you’ve been looking for. Work with How To Find Your Vital Vocation for a short time and you’ll be working at your real work for a long time.”

~ BARBARA J. WINTER  Bestselling author of Making a Living Without a Job

“Warm, witty and wise. I highly recommend this book. Brian knows his stuff and How To Find Your Vital Vocation is a breath of fresh air.”

~ GRACE OWEN  Executive coach and author of The Career Itch

“I appreciated the step-by-step nature of Vital Vocation. It made finding a new career that much easier, and I’m still amazed at how well it helped me clarify what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”

~ DAVID  Member of the Vital Vocation Online Coaching Programme

“Vital Vocation helped me focus after I had spent too long panicking and going nowhere. Now my part-time hobby has grown to a full-time occupation and I’ve finally given up the day job that was making me sad!”

~ STEVEN  Member of the Vital Vocation Online Coaching Programme

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre –  NonFiction / Careers

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Brian Cormack Carr on Facebook  & Twitter

Website http://vitalvocation.com/

Secret Words (Secret Dreams Book 1) by Miranda P. Charles

Love touched the core of their heart unexpectedly

But how do they fight those who believe they weren’t meant to be?

When Jasmine Allen met Kane Summers in the unlikeliest of places, she wasn’t expecting the swift and immediate attraction she felt for him. But Jasmine had a secret she wasn’t at all comfortable sharing with anyone, least of all, the hunky guy who was literally sweeping her off her feet.

Kane Summers was a sucker for damsels in distress. When he found himself wanting to protect Jasmine Allen in more ways than one, the instant chemistry they had for each other hit him squarely in the chest. But Kane’s life was complicated, and he wasn’t totally free to act on the fascination he felt for her.

Kane and Jasmine were fighting a losing battle to stay away from each other. But circumstances – and certain people – beyond their control were very much intent on keeping them apart.

How could they find their way past secrets and malicious intents to nurture a love that, if given the chance, could last a lifetime?

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Contemporary Romance

Rating – R

More details about the author

Connect with Miranda P. Charles on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://mirandapcharles.com/

For Gods & For Men by James R Johnson

This bold new story written on an epic scaoe vibrates with its unique setting and time frame. Trapped in an alternate universe, the memorable characters set off on a quest to overcome nearly insurmountable odds.

The setting: 98 BC Rome. The story: Marcus Tegerius Castimus has just learned he is immortal. Together with an unlikely alliance that includes a vexed Vestal Virgin, he is the only hope to save the world from a trap that the Lifebloods had set centuries before. Pursued by two factions, Castimus can choose to help the Lifebloods and live in luxury and power, or he can fight them to save the human race from extinction. But doing the right thing is not always easy, and Marcus stubmles into the snare that the Lifebloods laid for him – a trap that has been centuries in the making and from which there is no escape. Or nearly none.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Urban Fantasy

Rating – PG13

Connect with James R Johnson on Facebook & Twitter & GoodReads

The Druid Legacy by Mark Miller

In the first book of The Druid Legacy, Wesslayn Grace believes himself to be a normal twelve year old boy, and up until now he has been. Wess is propelled into a wild adventure as strange powers begin to manifest. He finds himself in the middle of an invasion of foreign creatures he never knew existed. In this fast paced story, Wess learns about himself, makes new friends, and battles powerful enemies.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Young Adult Fantasy

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Mark Miller on Facebook

Website http://www.thedruidlegacy.com/

Author Interview – AK Taylor

How did you come up with the title? The title for The Newbie Author’s Survival Guide came about from both an idea and a perception of the publishing world around me. I built on the idea of a “survival guide and toolkit” for authors that functions like a survival manual someone would use in the wilderness. I spend so much time in the wilderness that survival skills are like second nature.

What was the hardest part about writing this book? Can we expect more books from you in the future? Oh yeah. I have many more of the Neiko Adventure Saga awaiting edits, rewrites and publication and others to be written—and I am writing another one right now, an idea for another nonfiction about bullying, and possibly a new ideas for YA thrillers and mysteries, but that’s something still bouncing around right now.

What do you do to unwind and relax? I go to the woods on a deep wood hike, go fishing, read a book, or play video games. I also write to unwind.

Do you travel much concerning your book(s)? At this present time, no not really. I’ve mostly stayed in my home state and local area. Maybe someday, though.

What contributes to making a writer successful? First and foremost, putting out a good professional product. This has been said ten thousand times–and this makes it ten thousand and one, but it is so important. Having a good, reliable network is another and this is something I had to learn on my own on the fly.

After crash landing into self publishing with nothing but the clothes she had on, author AK Taylor fought for survival with trying to market her books on a small budget. After two years of trial and error, reworking, refining, and reaching out, she has created the first survival guide for book marketing compiled of great tools and resources that can be used by any author during the rough times.

Comparing the book marketing wilderness with the real wilderness is how Taylor viewed the publishing world around her. Growing up in the woods and learning survival skills has given her this unique viewpoint for a different kind of world. When she started her search for information, a book marketing survival guide didn’t exist—until now.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – NonFiction

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Amanda Taylor on Facebook & Twitter & GoodReads

Orangeberry Book Tours – A Study in Sin by August Wainwright

A wildly intriguing, intimately suspenseful story about the human capacity for good and evil – and what pushes us to inevitably, and often tragically, turn to our darker emotions for comfort.

Jacob Watts broke his neck in Afghanistan. Now he’s in D.C. with no job, a therapist, an uncontrollable tick in his arm, and PTSD. And he can’t pay his rent.

His new, and monetarily necessary roommate, Remy Moreau, isn’t helping either. Cold and detached, she might be a savant – but she’s also socially inept, has absolutely no boundaries, and is possibly dealing drugs out of their apartment. When the two come in contact with a stiff and blood-covered body in Capitol Row, the ambiguous Remy Moreau will lead him on an obsessive-compulsive hunt in pursuit of a tormented killer.

Can Remy, with Watts in tow, catch a murderer before he strikes again? And what are Remy’s real intentions with Watts? Is she even capable of anything resembling real human emotion?

A Study in Sin is a fast-paced modern update of a classic Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Mystery / Thriller / Suspense

Rating – PG13

More details about the author

Connect with August Wainwright on Google Plus & Twitter

Website http://augustwainwright.com/

Orangeberry Book Tours – Deleting God by Nicholas L. Maze

Have you ever questioned your relationship with God? Is it possible that you believe you are growing in God but you’re actually pulling away from Him? Has church become commercial and no longer sacred? Are people talking about the powerful message or are they talking about what someone wore? Are we more focused on fitting into a mold than living for God? It’s time to face the facts.

Giveaway: “I Support the Movement”

To show our appreciation, we are giving away a $100 visa card on June 1st, 2013. ALSO!!! $25, each additional month. To enter, simply post a photo of yourself (yes, someone has to take a picture of you. I know, I know) holding your print copy of Deleting GOD on your Facebook page (submit your page link to maze.contact@yahoo.com) and you’re entered for each drawing!

Winners are randomly selected.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Religion / Spirituality

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Nicholas Maze on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.nicholasmaze.com/

Chris Wager – Practical Advice for Beginning Fiction Writers

Practical advice for beginning fiction (or other genre) writers

by Chris Wager

The advice I can offer to other writers is what has worked for me. A blend of the creative process and practical preparation. Once I have the general idea where the storyline is going and what it is I want to accomplish I set out to organize all of my thoughts into a coherent timeline. My writing is linear with no flashbacks or real dream sequences. Just memories referred to by the actors sprinkled in as moments to back fill the story. As far as back story, I didn’t begin with back story, I like to hit the ground running stepping right into my main actor’s life.

Filling in back story more naturally in normal conversation between actors. As in the scene when Ben (main actor Stow Away) was on the bridge with Jacob (first officer-supporting actor) during a night shift, when Jacob asked if it was only Ben and his mother and what his mother did for a living.

I like the back story to run side by side with the main plot throughout the book. I think it’s more interesting to continue to learn things about the actors as the reader spends more time with them as in real life.

Another writing rule I live by is seeing all important actors are introduced by the middle of the book. This gives the reader time to get used to having them around and understand who they are.

Plus don’t be afraid to scrap any writing that doesn’t drive the story forward or lend to fore-shadowing. Speaking of fore-shadowing, I think it’s important to use it. I try to only take a few seconds of the reader’s time to sound a warning of what’s around the corner and to use it sparingly not to give away any cool plot twists or surprises.

Basing the foundation of the story on a real theory or event I feel helps to build a strong story, like a blueprint. Understanding the way events in human nature would unfold, and how we, as emotional creatures would react. Regardless what personality you give your actors, they can’t act out of actor of a reasonable human being unless you are writing a psycho-path, even then there are still limits.  I wouldn’t introduce a strong masculine actor and have him behave like a frail childlike boy.

Staying true to your actor can be hard. Especially when I was writing a lot of dialogue. It’s like carrying on twelve conversations at once. I was taught to write conversations between actors as real as possible. Not falling into the trap of trying to sound like a novel writer.

If any part of your writing sounds off when you read it aloud, (which I did a lot) move it around, shorten it up, or delete all together. My book has a 7^th to 8^th grade reading level which for the average reader should be easy. If the reader has to stop and reread or look up words than it’s no fun and they’ll never finish the book.

One element I included was the cliff hanger/page turner. The setting of my story is in the year 1937, during this time the short reel cereals often used cliff hangers to get the kids to come back the next Saturday to see if the cowboy made it.  I find it to be a fun tool. I was also taught never put your actors to bed at the end of a chapter, so true.

On to environment, how many times have you read something the writer over described? The lighting or the rug on the floor. I used simple descriptions and LET the reader use their imagination to paint the scene, I only tried to set the stage. Trust your instincts.

Benjamin Holt is an average thirteen-year-old streetwise kid living in Lower Manhattan during the 1930′s. His world is turned upside down, when a simple case of mistaken identity by the cops has him accidently taking refuge in the belly of the tramp steamer U.S.S. Alexandria bound for the wilds of Africa. Along the way, Benjamin must face the challenges of living at sea, a captain’s dream of treasure, and a first mate who would just as soon feed him to the sharks.

Ben’s troubles are only beginning when he is taken hostage by an evil German colonel. He survives a daring escape, only to find himself on a volcanic island battling bloodthirsty natives. Things go from bad to worse as this explosive adventure unfolds around him. Ben must find it in himself to become the most unlikely hero before it is over if he is to make it home again.

Buy Now @ Barnes & Noble

Genre – Contemporary Fiction

Rating – PG13

Connect with Chris Wager on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://briggscomp.wix.com/stow-away-page

Orangeberry Book Tours – Bad Traffick (Leine Basso Series) by DV Berkom

Dangerous obsessions abound when an ex-assassin and a homicide detective race against the clock to find a missing girl before she’s lost forever.

BAD TRAFFICK named a 2012 Top 5 Indie Pick by BloodWrites and a Top Pick by Night Owl Reviews

Identified as a person of interest in three cold case murders she didn’t commit, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a temporary position as a security specialist for A-list actor Miles Fournier, who  believes he is the target of kidnappers. Leine finds she has her hands full trying to protect the head-strong celebrity, while at the same time fighting her desire for Detective Santiago Jensen; a game she knows she can’t win.

Soon, a woman contacts Miles, claiming to be his long-lost sister. She confesses her twelve-year-old daughter, Mara, has been abducted by sex-traffickers and she’s desperate to get her back, hoping  that Miles will use his considerable resources to find her.

Leine learns from a contact at a rescue organization that Mara escaped and is alone on the streets in the sprawling city of Los Angeles. The traffickers are determined to track her down and deliver her to the powerful client who purchased her for his twisted ends. Running out of time, Leine must find Mara before they do, or she will be lost forever.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Barnes and Noble

Genre – Romantic Suspense

Rating – PG13

More details about the author

Connect with DV Berkom on Facebook &  Twitter

Blog http://dvberkom.wordpress.com/

Website http://www.dvberkom.com/