Author Interview - Karen Bell VBT Jan 31

Click on the image to view Meet and Greet with Karen and the book tour.

Today I'm pleased to have Karen Bell on my blog. Karen is here to chat about her debut novel Walking with Elephants. This book is definitely going on my TBR list, but I have to say I wish Karen had published this book when I was a single mom juggling kids, college, back into the dating world and all the other responsibilities I had. I could have escaped at night lying in bed alone with her book! LOL

There's a giveaway to one lucky commenter; details at the bottom!

A bit about Karen:
Walking with Elephants is my first novel, although I am not new to writing. I was a theater critic and celebrity interviewer for a weekly tabloid in Jacksonville, Fl and I earned a Master’s in Mass Communication from Oklahoma State University. For 15 years I worked in Corporate America as a technical editor/editor/writer. I experienced first hand the politics and intrigue that goes with that territory and the balancing act that comes with being a working mother. I salute all those mothers who are the glue that holds their families together while pursuing the nine to five brass ring.

Louise: Karen, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Karen: I remember finally after the long years of writing Walking with Elephants—ten to be exact that I thought wow—I did it!!! I thought that was the hard part. Boy was I wrong. I thought the book was great—inflated sense of importance—just knew it would be grabbed up. So I started submitting right away to literary agents. At that time, there were not many agents that had an online presence. So I sent those emails, sent snail mail to others and always sent hard copy samples of ms. That was quite costly. Over time, I stopped doing that and only sent electronic partials. So that process took ten years before a small indie publisher said, “yes.” Awful and discouraging process. That publisher just closed its doors in December and I have had take over. I really dislike the business. I just want to write, but if you want people to read what your write you must embrace the business.

Louise: Please tell us a little about your new release Walking With Elephants without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Karen: My protagonist, Suze Hall, is my everywoman, my Willie Loman, if you will. She represents all the older women in the workforce who entered later in life after raising their kids. She discovers that she and her husband defined their roles when she was a stay-at-home mom and she is stuck in that role--continuing to run the house while also working full-time. She also is not good at deciphering the intrigue at work. I tried to make her very likable with a good sense of humor. I think I achieved that. It is a light-hearted slice-of-life story. A reviewer described the book as Bridget Jones meets Erma Bombeck. But it also has an important message for women in the current era.

The title of the book is the title of an essay that Suze writes at the end of the novel. She suggests a paradigm shift from the patriarchal societies that have been in place for millennia to matriarchies like a herd of elephants. In the elephant world the herd comprises females and their young. Males are peripheral and only come around to mate. She poses the notion of what would the society look like, be like, if women were truly in charge—not women mimicking men.

Blurb:

Suze Hall is at a crossroads. Her nemesis at work, Wanda, has been promoted and now will be her boss. Her husband, Bob, is leaving her and the three kids for a six-month sabbatical down under. To top it off, her best friend, Marcia, is missing in action--playing footsie with some new boyfriend!

Adding to this disaster stew, David, the gorgeous hunk who broke her young-girl's heart has coincidentally popped back into her life and has something she desperately needs to keep her job.

Walking with Elephants, a lighthearted slice-of-life story, brings to the table the serious work/family issues facing women today. It explores the modern dichotomy of a workplace that is filled with homemakers who still must cook, clean, carpool on nights and weekends, shop for prom dresses, and "create" the holidays—such as Suze. But it also is filled with women who have the same drive as men, have no family responsibilities, and will do what ever it takes to get ahead. 

So step into the shoes of Suze Hall and commiserate over workplace politics, titillate your sexual fantasies, ride the wave of a working mother, and fall-down laughing.

The cover is a symbol of the message of empowerment of women. The protagonist, Suze, writes and essay at the end of the novel suggesting a paradigm shift from the patriarchal societies that have been in place for centuries to a matriarchy, such as is found in nature. Like elephants, hence the title.

Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Karen: No. I am a seat-of-the pants writer. I have a kernel of an idea and that could change as I write and usually does. The writing process is very organic for me. I never really know what will happen but somehow it comes together. That is really mindboggling for me.

Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Karen: The Internet is fabulous. I jump on it to find clothing styles in different periods. I needed that for the time travel sequences for Sunspots. I also set the story in Austin, TX where I lived several years ago. I googled the restaurants to see if they still were in business. I had a signing there and stayed with my dear friend and we drove around for me to get the new vibe of the city. My third novel will deal with goddesses and I have bought several books on mythology. But the Internet is key and what a boon to writers who don’t have to spend hours in the library away from the computer. During a passage, I just jump on the Internet to find what I need and keep going. I was a market researcher for one of my jobs and I have a talent for finding information.

Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

Karen: Yes as I said before—no real planning. I go where the story takes me.

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

Karen: No, I have never spent an entire day writing. First with WWE, there was the distraction of working full-time and raising a family. By the time I would get back to it, I had to reread to remind myself where the story was and the names of the characters—no kidding. Now I’m distracted becoming the publisher of WWE after mine closed doors and all that it implies—printing, marketing, advertising, PR. Now I’m sending out queries for Sunspots. Oh, that I had an agent and publisher. I’m planning on working on my third novel today—maybe. Before I wrote WWE, I worked as an editor and writer of business materials for a major accounting firm.

Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Karen: Here is the ritual: Get your butt to the computer. Don’t avoid the process by checking mail and checking sales. Don’t go to FB, Yahoo news. Just open the file and start. But ha—I never do that. All the other stuff comes first and then…I open the file. So I guess that’s the ritual.

Louise: Ha! Me either and I spend more time playing around online than writing! Describe a typical writing day for you.

Karen: I go to my water aerobics class, I play mahjong, and I watch the real housewives. Just kidding—or am I? At least I keep my blog current.

Louise: Oh, I love Mahjong. A game before bed time relaxes me! Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

Karen: My next novel that I am shopping around is Sunspots. It’s kind of a paranormal romance, ghost story.  It explores the woeful journey Aurora Stein takes when her husband Jake dies in a car accident after just two years of marriage. Aurora was an aspiring actress so she views the world through the lens of characters in novels and film. Although the topic is somber, there are many moments of mirth as Aurora tells her tale of meeting Jake and her present situation. My third novel will weave the goddess realm into the real world. I like to think of myself as writing magical realism. I’m not as good as the Spanish-speaking writers or Alice Hoffman who do that. But I’d like to get there. Even WWE had a spirit who gave advice.

Louise: What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Karen: I used to have favorite authors like Maeve Binchey. But I don’t read that soap opera stuff anymore. I loved Peace like River and that had magical elements. I’m more about the book than the writer. You can get disappointed when the collection of books doesn’t pack the same punch. I read all the Harry Potter though and wasn’t disappointed at all. I don’t read genres; I read books that appeal to me.

Louise: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Karen: I wrote WWE as a platform to reach out to working mothers. As a working mother myself, I lived the stresses that come with that territory but I was lucky. I was able to raise my babies before I went back into the workforce. Women today, by and large, are not so lucky. In the ladies room at work, I came upon a young woman pumping her breast. This is crazy, I thought. She should be home nursing. Maternity leave is way too short in this country. In some countries a woman has two years leave. I felt that woman should be dialoguing about this. It's one thing to be political about abortion but that's where the discussion ends. What happens after the baby is born is very important and there is no consensus or discussions on how to blend families and work. I wrote this book way before other books have come out on this topic but no one would publish it then.

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web? 

Karen: On my Web site and my Blog.

Amazon for Kindle and in paperback.

B&N on Nook and paperback is being modified so a new copy is not available at the moment.

Smashwords

The book is available in all e-formats and at all online outlets.

Thanks Louise!

Louise: Karen, thank you again for joining me today!

Readers, Karen is giving away a copy of Walking with Elephants in PDF format. Please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact the winner in a timely manner. Drawing will be held Feb 1.

Kiki Howells talks about her new children's book "What Are You Afraid Of?"

I have known Kiki Howell online for well over a year now. Kiki is an awesome person and writer. She loves helping to promote her fellow authors and giving advice to new authors when asked. I have asked her advice a few times. When I saw she was writing a children's book after following her writing on erotic and paranormal books; I thought well, way to go Kiki! It's seems she has found another genre niche she is good at.


I'm handing my blog over to Kiki today. So grab your favorite cup/glass of drink and settle in to read about her new children's book What Are You Afraid Of?

Kiki Howell

Where Do I Fit In? Good Question! No idea what the answer is!!! LOL Hopefully most of the places I try I will have some success. What am I talking about? *giggles* Well, I’ve been recently called a very diverse writer having published stories from adult, paranormal romance to now a children’s picture book.  Guess just like I read in different genres, watch movies in different genres and yes watch TV shows in different genres, I write in them too. I mean yes I have kids, but I’ve liked watching their shows with them at every age, having been just as excited when a new episode comes on. Okay my kids are a bit older now, but right now I like watching everything from House of Anubis with my youngest son to True Blood which of course I watch alone, and everything in between. I even have been known to read a Dr. Seuss book on my own from time to time.

I’m diverse, and it isn’t because I get bored easily either, I just have varied tastes. I am sure there are some out there that say since I have established myself as an erotic author of romance and that I have no business writing a children’s book. I try to be very clear as to what someone is getting with one of my books, genres and warnings all clearly labeled on my website, but I don’t want to be boxed in to one genre let alone one age group.

What will I write next? Well, I have plenty of ideas. I have another children’s book idea on inspiring kids to try. I have a mainstream novel working itself out in my head about a Vietnam Veteran told from his daughters’ eyes forty years after the war. I am currently under contract to write several more paranormal erotic romances. And, from there who knows! Guess whatever pops into my head and lies on my heart really. That is how a story gets written around here. I have so much going on that they have to practically start writing themselves until I say, “Okay, okay, I’ll write you!” LOL

I do have high hopes for my children’s book, What Are You Afraid Of ?, though. I think the subject is a very important one, to be able to help children deal with their fears without crushing the creative mind that came up with the fear in the first place. The subject is very important to me having grown up a quite fearful child into a creatively driven adult.

So here is a little about my very first children’s picture book…

BLURB:

“Why does the night have to be so dark?” the big dog named Drake gave a low bark.

Not everyone likes Halloween. In fact, the big dog named Drake is afraid of the costumes and the decorations and the dark. He really only likes the candy his boy drops.

Lucky for Drake, the old dog named Zoe is there to help him forget his fears with a fun game.

Drake and Zoe can’t wait for you to play along. 

Note From The Author to the Parents:

What Are You Afraid Of? is more than a story to help children overcome their fears. What Are You Afraid Of? is a book about acknowledging a children's fears and dealing with them in ways that do not stifle a child's imagination and creativity. So, indulge me while I state a few ideas.

Children can easily be made to feel small and defenseless in this big
world, while at the same time, children have very vivid imaginations, which can cause further anxiety over things that are intangible, confusing, and scary. Therefore, how we deal with a child's fears may have tremendous implications on how we foster, or hinder, their creative growth.

While fear can be a manifestation of imagination, so too can compassion and empathy. Compassion is a product of the imagination as well, being able to ‘see’ ourselves in another’s shoes. So, it only stands to reason, that if we stifle the imagination, we may be stifling the child’s potential to care for the world around him later on. A creative mind is a terrible thing to waste.

We all know that fears or phobias cannot be easily coerced away by mere rational or logical arguments. Instead, it seems a better approach to acknowledge a child's fears and show him or her that you know how he or she feels. We can try to diminish the fears by making light of it and making the child laugh. Ah, laughter is the best medicine! I have read psychologists who recommend playing with fears by role playing until the child laughs or by drawing silly pictures of the object of the fear with the same intention.

With all of this in mind, I came up with this story. I hope the idea of a big dog being afraid of witches and ghosts is silly enough to begin with, along with the playful Halloween-ish images and the funny rhyming patterns. But more, I hope the games the old comes up with will be games your child can also play to eliminate his or her own fears. Most of all, I wish for you and your child to enjoy the story. May you laugh!

Come visit our FaceBook Page
Purchase from the Publisher, Dancing With Bear, at a Discounted Price!

You can also Purchase at Amazon

Reviews for What Are You Afraid Of?:

 “This book is beautifully written with bright photos and poetry woven throughout.  The author has written in such a way that the child can identify with Drake and if he can overcome his fears then of course, the reader can... the idea of "picturing in your mind" is well put and easy to understand. I recommend this book to parents for their little ones who are still grasping at things they don't quite understand yet. As a teacher, it is always good to find a book that a child and parent can share to get life's lessons taught in a good and positive way." ~Paulette L. Harris, Teacher

“I'd say the book is an excellent children's book that teaches kids of all ages how to overcome fears and insecurities. I read "What Are You Afraid Of?" with my two children ages 10 & 12, and both enjoyed the book very much. The book seems to be one which will work for multiple age groups. Kiki Howell does an excellent job of sparking interest through the illustrations and the rhyming passages throughout the story. I would not be surprised to see many more children's books released by this multi-talented writer.” ~Emily Martinez at http://emilysfrugaltipsforclarkcounty.blogspot.com/


"I thought this book was an adorable and refreshing read. It goes over a very real problem that every child faces and gives a simple but fun way to deal with it. We are dog lovers in our house and have two ourselves, so we can also appreciate the characters and the wonderful pictures. The kids really love the rhyming especially since Mama adds the fun voices when reading it. Hopefully this was the first of many children's books we see from Kiki Howell. " ~Crystal at http://www.inspiredlangley.com/

Help children to read by volunteering at your local library - Kid's Story Time

Author Interview - David Knight VBT Jan 23

 Click on image to go to Meet & Greet with David and follow his book tour.

David Knight is visiting all the way from England today! His latest release, an inspirational/spiritual book, I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart, will be launched on Amazon Feb 2. Before the Q&A, here's a bit about David, how he reached his spiritual fulfillment and wrote this book.

David Knight was born into his current physical embodiment in 1964. He is married to Caroline and they live with their adopted cats Toby, Treacle, Spiky and Missy in the UK. In growing up, he describes himself as a Mr. Average or like a 'Joe Bloggs'. Whilst earning a living in various types of work, (this ranged from HM Forces, Financial Services, a Care Assistant and also self-employment) his search for fulfillment changed from the exterior and without to the interior and within.

Spiritual education gained a greater momentum and at the age of 21 a more urgent sense of dedication as well as a new realization had set in. New evidence of and from God, were soon revealed through his life experiences. With the aid of Spirit guides and beings from the ethereal planes, the foundations were laid for all who wished to develop and experience their Hearts flame of love and light, and to embark upon a unique opportunity for all soul's in this lifetime.

Louise: Welcome David, thanks for visiting with me today! Please tell the readers what is your book about?

David: My latest book I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart is a stepping stone for all who embark upon their own quest for ‘Spiritual’ guidance and education. So, even if you are comfortable with your own faith and religion, it can actually help you to explore new interpretations and issues of such on a personal or global scale.

I have received and transcribed passages of text in a process known as ‘Inner Dictation’. The best way I feel I can describe this to you is writing from within the connection of my heart where peace, bliss, love and light reign supreme.

Louise: How long have you been writing?

David: It wasn’t really until I sat in some ‘spiritual’ development ‘circles and began meditating in the 1990’s that I started to write poetry. Then, with the aid of my Spirit guides and beings of the ethereal planes my writing became much more focused and structured. Hence, in 1998 I completed and self published Pathway, and then re-released it as Pathway 2nd Edition - pbook and ebook in 2011.  This ‘channelled’ work laid the foundation for anyone who wished to experience and develop their own heart’s flame of love and light.
Almost immediately, the sequel with and from Divine guidance followed, but due to numerous ‘life’ challenges the manuscript sat in a cupboard draw for almost 10 years. I went through many job changes, my wife and I renovated an old cottage for 5 years which was then destroyed by a devastating fire, and later the deaths of my father and best friend removed my focus from writing. With such events, Deliverance of Love, Light and Truth wasn’t shared until 2008.
I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart is obviously being launched now as an e-book and pbook with the support of Assisting Authors Online.

Louise: What’s one thing you want a reader to know about you?

David: An interesting and actually quite a difficult question…LOL!  I guess it’s only through, from and to ‘love’ that I am genuinely trying to convey the truth inside my own heart, its purpose being to help re-ignite and keep alight each and every soul’s flame to reach their own goal of Self –Realization. It isn’t about money, ego or any other transient aspect of living within this impermanent world in which we currently reside. So very often in life we receive what we need and not what we think we want or desire.

Louise: How can a reader connect with you?

David: It’s always great to connect to new hearts and minds and continue to share spiritual guidance and education, whether that’s to the young or old…and anyone who has an open heart!

I participate / engage with many spiritual websites under the pseudonym of AscensionForYou, but you can connect with me on my website /blog, Twitter,  Linked-In, on Facebook or the new AscensionForYou- Spiritual Guidance and Education FacebookFan Page

Louise: Why did you go ‘Indie’?

David: There used to be so much stigma for self–publishing and going ‘Indie’ but with today’s technology of the internet and e-readers, tablets etc it is probably the fastest and most effective way to promote and deliver your message / book.  Let’s face it, even if you are pretty well known as an author and get published by one the so called big 6 publishing companies you are still expected to utilize all the social networking / marketing avenues to promote it yourself.  So many famous authors like J A Konrath have embraced this format with great success. You are also in total control of your own ‘product’ too.

Louise: Where can someone find your book? 

David: You can obtain the pbook via Createspace and on Amazon
ebook on Kindle  as well as all the usual /other e-book formats via  Smashwords

Many thanks Louise for your time and support, it is very much appreciated. God Bless to all. Dave

Louise: David, thank you again for stopping by.

Readers, David is featuring a contests from his site. Below the Blurb is the details.

Blurb:

I am I: The In-Dweller of Your Heart
52 Inner Dictations

I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart is a stepping stone for all who embark upon their own quest for 'Spiritual' education and guidance. So, even if you are comfortable with your own faith and religion, you may have decided to explore new interpretations and such issues on a personal or global scale.

The author David Knight has received and transcribed these passages of text in a process known as 'Inner Dictation'. He describes this as writing from within the connection of his heart where peace, bliss, love and light reign supreme.

God's wisdom and teachings are laid out before you so you can simply choose and read whenever or whatever your heart needs or desires. They are guidelines, principles and simple directions for you to now dip your toes or dive headfirst into the waters of you're own Divine essence.

These books will form the very threads of life's new tapestry, each being spun into 52 lessons from, to and through our own hearts and soul's. They are like a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, partner or personal friend who knows you better than you can ever know 'yourself'.

Part 1 is a companion for life which does not judge, condemn or scold, but hopes to encourage, guide, console, teach and remind you of who and what you are, why you live and for what purpose too!

David's book is being launched on 2/2/12 on Amazon.  There is an exciting contest that is in effect from now until the Launch.

There are great prizes that are involved:

$100 gift certificate for Amazon toward a Kindle

Two $50.00 Amazon Gift Certificates

To enter, visit David's blog: http://www.ascensionforyou.co.uk/blog

Please fill out the Contest form.  You can complete at least one task option to enter but the more tasks you complete, the more entries you will have.

Or you can enter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview - Guy Magar VBT Jan 21

Today I'm very please to have Guy Magar visit with me during his virtual book tour. Guy is here to promote his memoir Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot; a story of his immigration to the U.S.,  following his dream and finding his soul mate. Before we start the Q&A, here's a little bit about him:

Guy Magar was nine years old when he left Egypt in 1958. His family immigrated to the U.S., where he grew up in Middletown, New York. Graduating from Rutgers University with a B.A. in philosophy, Guy began his film career at the London Film School. Soup Run, his first short about the homeless, won a Special Jury Prize at the 1974 San Francisco International Film Fest.

In 1978, he relocated to Los Angeles to attend the American Film Institute.  His first dramatic short, Once Upon an Evening (made for $500 at the AFI) earned him a seven-year deal at Universal Studios. He soon began directing network TV dramas in the action/adventure genre. Guy has over 100 film credits including episodes of series La Femme Nikita, Sliders, The A-Team, Blue Thunder, Fortune Hunter, The Young Riders, Lawless, Hunter, and the CBS pilot/Movie of the Week Dark Avenger. He also directed 35 episodes of the studio daytime drama Capitol. In 1995, Guy was nominated for a Golden Reel Award for his television work on the series Nowhere Man.      

He is the founder of the Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars, which for the last ten years, have provided the acclaimed “page to screen” industry workshop—a two-day educational overview of the creative filmmaking process. Guy is also founder of the annual Action/Cut Short Film Competition, which provides an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their talents. 

He lives in the Hollywood Hills with Jacqui, his beautiful wife of 26 years.

And his story of Jacqui in his book is going to touch your heart. He is a true romantic! Help me give Guy a warm welcome.

Louise: Guy, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. Please tell us a little about your new release Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Guy: Pleasure for me to be on your blog, Louise and appreciate the invite and opportunity. Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot is an unconventional memoir because it deals with diverse topics such as the magic of making movies and the magic of finding true love. I’ve been blessed to have had such a kaleidoscope of experiences starting as a child in Egypt and immigrating to America, growing up in New York and learning to speak English, going to college at an incendiary political time in the country (late ‘60s) and 

then setting myself on such an unlikely journey to become a film director in Hollywood. 

That career adventure was a story I always wished to share because it’s been rich with wild and crazy experiences such as my first producer turning out to be a Mafia assassin, almost decapitating Drew Barrymore right after ET, and coming close to derailing James Cameron’s career though he is so talented I doubt anyone could have altered his storied destiny. Everyone loves to look behind the curtain of the movie world and this memoir takes them there.


'Kiss me quick before I shoot' was my welcoming catchphrase to my wife Jacqui whenever she visited on-set, seemingly always just before I rolled cameras. And so this book is also about a deeper magic, the magic of finding your soul mate, your life partner. Finding true love for me is all about falling in love with Jacqui, and having a costumed Camelot wedding where I got to duel for her hand (a la Errol Flynn) in a romantic Renaissance celebration that has blossomed to this day, twenty-nine years later. This journey was also worthy of telling due to the extreme dramatic turn of Jacqui suddenly being diagnosed with leukemia three years ago. 

That unique medical journey to heal her through a cutting-edge clinical trial was a triumphant story of the human spirit - of her great courage - that deserved to be shared with the world. Everyone knows someone with cancer, and so I wanted to write a book about our experience that would inspire folks to get through their illnesses. For me, the grateful feedback from caregivers and cancer patients who are enjoying this book has been the most emotionally satisfying response to this memoir.  

Louise: Oh, I'm so glad Drew Barrymore was not decapitated! I love her movies. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Guy: This book was quite a surprise. I never had an intention to write it. After the difficult seven months it took to treat Jacqui’s illness and do the transplant that healed her, and after sleeping on a cot next to her and living in a tiny hospital room for months, I had gone to see a therapist looking for ways to unwind. She told me I was going through post-traumatic stress syndrome which surprised me since I thought only veterans coming back from wars suffer from such illness. She pointed out that I had just gone through my own emotional “war” to heal my wife. She told me I needed to find a “release” and encouraged me to find it immediately. 

The very next morning, I just sat down and started writing. Somehow I knew I needed to write about this journey as my release, and without an outline or any plan whatsoever, I just thought to start at the beginning and see where it took me. I was waiting to get stuck or lost and have to go back and outline the story properly but somehow I always knew when to end a chapter and how to begin the next. In the most amazing organic process I’ve experienced, this went on for four months until I reached the end of the story. Then, like with all writing, it was a matter of rewriting over and over and I believe I did over 20 full rewrites over a period of 15 months until I was happy and done with it.

Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Guy: I come from screenwriting and all my screenplays usually begin with either a character I have in mind, or a cool story idea for a film. I’ll usually write a quick synopsis and I will keep adding to it as the idea develops until I have enough to write an outline with a beginning, middle, and end. Sometimes it’s well detailed and sometimes it’s one or two pages. But then the magic begins when you have enough to start the actual writing and this is the organic life of a writer when story and character develop hand-in-hand as you write. All the twists and turns and character bits you discover as you write is the magical part of the writing process…the journey. And as I previously mentioned, this memoir was indeed magical to write; it was uncanny how it wrote itself without any outline or story plan. On day one, I had the idea to start when I was eight in Egypt, sick with measles and my mother caring for me by candlelight as all lights were out during night air raids with British bombers heard approaching and Egyptian anti-aircraft guns firing away from outside our window during the Suez Canal War…and I just went from there. Crazy!

Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Guy: Because of the rich stories I was writing such as my first producer turning out to be a Mafia assassin, for example, and my vision for this book to be a friendly informal fun read, it was important to illustrate the memoir with photos and I am grateful to the Google Age where you can find amazing materials online. I was able to find a police photo of this guy I had met back in college in 1971, and a photo of the Mafia chief he assassinated in the middle of the day in front of thousands of folks celebrating Italian-American Day in New York City. I also went back through my own files to find pictures of the first monster designs a young James Cameron had made for my first film which would be of great interest to movie fans. There are over 125 photos in the book and it makes it fun and personal to include them throughout the narrative to embellish the reading experience as opposed to all photos in a center section which I’ve never liked.

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

Guy: Sometimes I wish I could write screenplays full time but I’ve been blessed developing a directing and producing career which takes a lot of time. Even when I’m not in production, there are weekly meetings at studios developing projects, working with other writers on their film stories, discussing deals that are all in various stages of concluding or falling apart. Also ten years ago, I founded the Action/Cut Filmmaking company that gives intensive 2-day weekend seminars on how to make movies from A-to -Z and I usually give about 10 or 12 a year in major USA cities and sometimes internationally when I can fit them into my schedule. Between all that, it’s difficult to focus on writing but when I have a cool idea burning to get on paper, I find the way to focus and make it happen, just as I did writing this memoir.

Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Guy: Yes, handcuffs!! Like everyone else, when it flows it’s magic…when it don’t, it’s the fridge and the munchies, and anything else to get us away from the keyboard!

Louise: LOL Handcuffing ourselves to the keyboard would be a very good discipline to write everyday. Ummm...I just hope my significant other would unlock them when I hollar! Describe a typical writing day for you.

Guy: Unfortunately, there is no typical writing day…I wish there was. Between directing and producing and teaching and running an annual short film competition and marketing my memoir, I’m lucky if I can put together 3-4 hours to just focus on a writing project. Sometimes it only happens late at night when the phone stops ringing and I can find the inspiration to just write. I’m European so Jacqui and I eat late, and we’ve always been night people and sometimes I can work till early mornings if the mojo is cookin’.

Louise: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

Guy: The most exciting thing I’m presently doing is writing the stage play of Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot. I’m talking to various theaters in Los Angeles about this multimedia presentation I’m preparing with a narrator playing me, slides, videos, and actors doing different sketch scenes from the memoir. The book recently received a great review from the Directors Guild Quarterly whom are all my peers and called the memoir “a riot.” If I can translate this riot into an evening of a wild and crazy theatre performance, that would really be exciting and something new for me.

Louise: Congratulations and good luck on this new venture! What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Guy: I’ve been reading a lot of memoirs/biographies in the last year including Patrick Swayze’s, Steven Tyler’s, Rob Lowe’s, and of course I just finished Steve Jobs’.

Louise: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Guy: I wanted this book to be a good friend with which you curl up with while sipping a hot chocolate because writing this memoir was a celebration of life. For me, it’s about following your dreams and making them come true. And that’s magical, as it is for all of us, and I was hoping to share that universal commonality. I encourage my readers who share my story to be inspired to celebrate their own unique life experiences. It was my desire and hope that by sharing my magic it would inspire folks to reflect, to take the time to appreciate their own great life journeys. This is why the last parting line in my book is “Dare to dream…I did. From one magician to another: Peace.”

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your book on the web? 

Guy: I wish to invite readers to the book’s website where they can enter a weekly contest to win a signed paperback of the memoir. All they have to do is vote on a favorite excerpt here - Book Excerpts. They will also find links to get the book in whatever format they wish.

I enjoyed being a guest on this blog and I thank you Louise for your kind invitation and interest in Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot. 
Merci. 

Louise: Je vous en prie, Guy! Merci bien for being here. I love to read about someone following their dreams and the romance between you and Jacqui adds the right ingredients. Your book is definitely going on my 'To Be Read' list.
Readers, Guy is featuring a giveaway of his book in Kindle or ePub format to one lucky commenter through random draw! I'll draw the winner on Jan 22 so please be sure to leave your email address in your comment.  This way I can contact the winner in a timely manner. You can also follow the rest of Guy's book tour by clicking here - vbt.com and viewing the tour schedule.

Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot on Amazon

Guy on Facebook

If you're an inspiring screenwriter or film maker, be sure to check out his Action/Cut Filmmaking site.

How to become a Book Reviewer

If you are an avid reader and love to tell your friends about the books you read, why not become a book reviewer?

There are advantages to becoming a book reviewer.  Most book reviewers receive books to review before they are available to the public. While generally this is an unpaid job, you get to read your favorite subjects and keep the books. Authors or book stores will ask a reviewer to read and submit a review for a book newly released to help with sales.

With the evolution of ereaders, it’s much easier to download and start reading. You have to be able to volunteer time and effort to write the reviews, and be skilled in writing good grammar. Following the tips below will help you establish yourself as a good book reviewer.

Before you begin writing reviews, search the web for blogs that review books. Read reviews others have posted to get an idea on how to start. A review is a short description of the book/characters accompanied by your opinion of the story.

Make a list of genres you enjoy reading. Again search the web for sites requesting book reviewers. Bookmark these sites for when you are ready to apply.

Write notes on the book you are currently reading. Once you have finished reading, organize the notes into paragraphs, and then check for spelling and grammar. Read your review out loud to make sure it flows and makes sense.

Writing good reviews takes practice. When you apply for the position, some will require at least one sample of your reviews. Consider creating a blog to post your reviews and include your web link with the sample.

Setting up a blog is pretty easy. Blogger, Wordpress and Webs.com are very user friendly, and reading the ‘Help’ section will get you started. You can then invite friends and family to read your reviews. Word of mouth is the best way to get readers to your site. Also put key words/hash tags (search words/#tags) so people can easily find your blog. (ex...title of book, author's name, your name or name of your blog, #bookreview, #authors, #writers and etc...)

Be fair when reviewing books. The public will read your reviews and decide whether or not they want to purchase the book. Don’t give away spoilers and be objective. You can include in your review you found some writing errors, but mainly read for the content. Be sure to meet your deadlines on submitting your review.

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has set forth guidelines for book reviewers and bloggers.
FTC Guidelines 16 CFR Part 255  Don't let this hinder you from reviewing. Just be sure to place a disclaimer on your blog you have not received compensation for the review other than a free copy of the book.
Example...
In accordance with FTC guidelines for bloggers and endorsements, I would like to clarify that the books reviewed on (your blog site name and other sites you review for) are provided by the publisher/author free of charge. I am neither compensated for my reviews nor are my opinions influenced in any way by the avenues in which I obtain my materials.

Easy as that! And you can read the endorsement here:
www.ftc.gov/os/2009/01/P034520endorsementguides.pdf

Tell the world about the books you read and Happy reading!


How to Write a Book Report or Review
http://www.ehow.com/how_8191508_write-book-report-review.html


How to Set Up a Blog for Beginners
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-set-up-a-blog-for-beginners

Hash Tags, What Are They and Why Use Them?
http://www.natebal.com/2010/11/hashtags-what-are-they-and-why-use-them/

Author Interview - Kat Jorgensen VBT Jan 13

Today I'm pleased to feature Kat Jorgensen on a pit stop with Virtual Book Tour Cafe. Kat is here to share a bit about her new release Your Eight O'clock is Dead and how much she loves to write.

Click on the image to follow the rest of Kat's tour and a chance for more prizes!

Before we begin the Q&A, here's Kat's BIO:

A notorious daydreamer, Kat knew it was only a matter of time before she became a writer.  She learned to read by age four and had her first library card before her fifth birthday.  To this day, she can lose herself for hours among the books at her local library or neighborhood bookstore.

Painfully shy and often sick as a child, Kat realized that as long as she had a good book, she was never alone or lonely. Making the leap from reading to making up stories, Kat has entertained friends and family almost all of her life with the stories that play in her mind.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, she is married with children and has a cranky tuxedo cat. Kat is also a member of Romance Writers of America, International ThrillerWriters and Sisters in Crime.

Louise: Kat, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

Kat: Hi, Louise. It’s a pleasure to be here with you today. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer. In August of 2000, my dear mother passed away. She had always encouraged me to pursue my writing dreams. I was so sorry I hadn’t written a novel while she was alive. I decided if she had believed so clearly in my abilities, I should pull out all of the stops and go for it.
Early in 2001, I got serious about my writing. I took classes, both online and at a local university. I joined writers groups and immersed myself in learning the craft. Learning is a lot of fun, and my basic belief is that if you stop learning, you die bit by bit. You’ve got to keep interested in life and pursue your passion. And writing is definitely a passion of mine.

Louise: Please tell us a little about your new release Your Eight O’clock is Dead without giving too much of a spoiler away.

Kat: Your Eight O’Clock Is Dead is a humorous mystery featuring a lovable screw-up, Becca Reynolds. After a divorce, Becca is back home living with her widowed grandfather and his cranky cat. She’s 5 months into a 6 month probation working for a fledgling psychiatric practice and having a few problems with punctuality and making the doctors happy with her performance. The patients, ER, clients adore her and seem to spill their problems to her with ease. It’s one of her gifts and talents. She’s good with people. But when she discovers the 8 o’clock patient murdered in the reception area, she knows that her job, the firm and even her life could be in jeopardy. Without too much provocation, Becca enters into her own investigation to solve the murder, save her job and maybe find a little romance in the process of her investigation.

Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

Kat: I started out being a major pantser. I’d come up with a cool idea or an interesting ‘what if’ and off I’d go. LOL. Yeah, that worked well for me. Not.
Over the years I’ve tried plotting by many methods and found that all of the preplanning basically sucked the life out of my story and my characters. So I’m more of a hybrid mixing the two - I call myself a pantser.
I start out with knowing quite a bit about my main characters and then I develop a few supporting characters that I don’t know as well. The main characters will still hold out on me and have secrets that they eventually reveal to me and to each other. The supporting characters are always surprising me. So I guess the answer to your question is that I do start out with knowing the characters, but they develop as I write, too. It keeps me interested and keeps the characters fresh.

Louise: How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

Kat: I can get lost in research for hours and hours. In fact, a few years ago I took a 12 week intensive citizen’s police academy course here in Richmond where I learned how our local police operate. They had me go on a mock traffic stop in the dark, fire weapons, drive a police car through an obstacle course, participate in a high speed chase, and cuff a pretend criminal, as well as a lot of classroom time. All of these things I’ve put in my writer’s toolkit. This year, I’ve was lucky enough to attend Lee Lofland’s Writers Police Academy, which I highly recommend to any writer who writes about law enforcement or has characters in law enforcement.
During one session at the Writers Police Academy, I had a light bulb moment about Max Chernov and R.J. Ryder, the two hunky guys in my book. This revelation then led to a large chunk of the story for book 4 - as yet untitled - in the series. I jotted down my ideas fast and furiously and then that night in the hotel room, I fleshed it out and then brought it back to my brainstorming partners and presented it to them. Very cool how that worked out.

Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

Kat: Oops, I already answered this above. Always jumping ahead. Definitely a combination of the two - a pantser. *smiles*

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

Kat: I do try to write full time, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I also do medical billing and consider that a part-time job. In my working past, I’ve done customer service, suicide intervention, corporate and medical management and many things in between. A wealth of experience. But writing is still my first love.

Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

Kat: I really don’t have any specific rituals, but I found this great mug at Barnes & Noble. On one side is On Duty. The reverse side shows Off Duty. When I sit down in my recliner with my laptop, I make sure the mug shows with the On Duty side facing out. And I always have a big glass of water on my side table. Once I have these things, I’m good to go.
Louise: Describe a typical writing day for you.

Kay: Get up, eat breakfast and write. Pretty simple, actually. I try hard to get the writing done first. It doesn’t always work out that way, but that’s the plan. I stay with it until I don’t have any words left for the day. I try for a minimum of 3 pages a day, but between 5 and 7 pages is my normal. Once I have my page count, then I’m free to work on other writing-related things. I try to stay current on industry news, continuing education through online classes, answer any reader mail and anything else relevant (blogging, facebook, twitter, etc.).

Louise: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

Kat: I’m currently working on book 2 in the River City Mystery series. It’s entitled Your Time Is Up and has Becca up to her eyeballs in more murders connected to Daley & Palmer clients. That book is followed by Your Lights Are Out where the victim is found with a set of Christmas tree lights wrapped around their neck.
I hope to deepen the relationships between the characters throughout the series. Right now I have an idea of how I want to end the series, but that’s subject to change. I have plans for somewhere between 6-9 books, but the characters will let me know when they’re done.

Louise: What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

Kat: I love to read mysteries and suspense, but I read all over the map. As to who my favorite author is, that’s tough. Really tough. I loved the early Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books and am intensely flattered that my book has been compared to those works. I enjoy Elaine Viets tremendously. I have so many favorites it’s hard to pick just one. Elizabeth George, Linda Fairstein, Lisa Scottoline, Joseph Finder, Harlan Coben. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop here.

Louise: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

Kat: No, I think we’ve covered quite a bit. Thank you so much for having me as your guest today. It’s been fun to chat with you.

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web?

Kat: I’m everywhere. LOL. And I’d love to hear from everyone.
My Web site
My Blog
Facebook
Twitter  @katjorgensen
My book is available on Amazon
Barnes & Noble
and on Smashwords

Louise: Kat, thank you again for visiting with me!
Reader's, Kat is giving away a copy of Your Eight O'Clock is Dead to one lucky commenter through random draw. The comments will close Jan 16 at 11 pm PST. The book will be available in e-book format choice with a Smashwords coupon for the winner. The drawing will be held Jan 17. Please be sure to include your email address in you comment! This helps me contact the winner in a timely manner.

Blurb:

Becca Reynolds is having a bad day. Her grandfather’s lecture (#405: Eat a Healthy Diet or Die Not Trying) makes her late for her job at Daley and Palmer, the psychiatrists' office where she works as the office manager—her title, not theirs. Then her sausage and egg breakfast biscuit creates an oil slick that takes out half her desk, along with that day’s patient files. But she knows the day has taken a really bad turn when she discovers the firm’s eight o’clock patient dead with Dr. Dick Daley’s letter opener opening the patient instead of the mail.

With the fledgling firm in danger of an early demise, Becca appoints herself the unofficial investigator since the police seem to be looking in all the wrong places and doing a half-assed job of solving the crime. She begins a journey to find the killer, keep the practice afloat and with it, her job. In the course of her interfere—er, investigation—she finds a virtual cast of characters who could have done it, including the fancy side piece of the murder victim, his wife, his business partner, and even his psychiatrist.

The case takes Becca from the sordid depths of the Russian mob, to the upscale West End of Richmond, Virginia (known locally as River City), and even to her own backyard. In the course of the story she finds herself in hot water, hot danger, and with dreams of hot men.

Happy Reading!!!

Author Interview - Jimmy "JD" Gordon VBT Jan 10

I'm very to pleased to introduce Jimmy "JD" Gordon as my first featured author with Virtual Book Tour Cafe as a host. 


Jimmy is joining me on a pit stop today only to promote his new release Dartboard. But first a little bit about JD before we chat. 


Firefighter and paramedic-turned-author Jimmy (J.D.) Gordon was born and raised in Chicago where he developed a taste for the finer things that the Windy City has to offer - pan pizza, live blues and the Cubs. 


Jimmy dropped into the world of literature, literally. After falling off a train and breaking his knee Jimmy had to spend quite a bit of time recuperating. While visiting the firehouse his peers asked what he planned to with all that time away. This when Jimmy said the words that he now claims to have changed his life. "I should write a book."


Despite some skepticism from his peers ("You don't even use punctuation on your run reports!"), he completed a novel, Island Bound, and made it a point to use punctuation throughout.

Louise: JD, welcome to my blog! I’m so excited you could join me for a chat. When did you first decide to submit your work to be published? Tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

JD: Thanks for having me Louise! I honestly had no clue whatsoever what I was supposed to do once I wrapped up the first book. I had never in my life thought I’d be writing books. I was always the guy at the back of the school bus or the back of the class trying to avoid the teacher’s gaze. I did all of my book reports and term papers during study hall. My first book was really the result of dare or a challenge might be a better word. I like to say I fell into literature, literally. I was working as a professional firefighter when I fell off of a train and broke my knee. I was to be off of work several months healing up. While visiting the station my shift mates asked me what I planned to do with all of my time away, as if physical therapy wasn’t enough right? I had always been an avid reader and for some reason, “I might write a book” popped out. The comment kicked off a round of laughter and jests, something like…”you don’t even use punctuation in your run reports.”

No I didn’t. Heck, I even typed in all capital letters back then. Well, the gauntlet had been cast. I picked it up and started typing. Once finished I turned to the net and did the google thing on how to publish your first book. An outfit called 1stBooks Library popped up, they call themselves Authorhouse now. I knew nothing of agents, nothing of submitting, so, I went with 1stBooks. And that’s another story……..a long story.

Louise: I really think writing just falls into a lot of author's laps. It did for me in my prime years. Please tell us a little about your new release Dartboard without giving too much of a spoiler away.

JD: I’ve recently received a blurb for Dartboard from one of my favorite authors, Paul Kemprecos. Paul is great writer on his own but he also wrote co-wrote several books with Clive Cussler, another favorite. Paul summed it up the best; “Dartboard is a cross between Carl Hiaasen and Treasure Island.” The story locations are mostly made of sea, sand and sunshine, along with a few seedy types of Caribbean towns. It’s an inheritance gone astray with many players trying to get their hands on the same stuff. I love to stick humor into my writing, along with a few gun battles and even a little romance, and then there’s the booze among a few other things, it is the Caribbean after all…..

Louise: Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

JD: No I don’t, not entirely anyway. I come up with the basic characters, the protagonist and antagonist, then I’ll slip folks in as I need them, sometimes I’ll make cuts as I move along as well. If a supporting character isn’t working out as I had hoped, I’ll send the person back to the bench, after all, there will be other stories; maybe I’ll find a fit somewhere else?

Louise: I made the mistake of telling my mom I'd be killing off a character in a future book. I won't disclose future ideas to her again! LOL I got an ear full. How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?

JD: Well, in the past I’d say not much. I used to draw from life experiences. However, I notice as I write more stories I need to do more research. I don’t know, I guess my well has been tapped? I mentioned the kid’s paranormal stuff, cool research coming there soon. I’m hooking up with local ‘ghost hunters’ on a gig, should be interesting. As for cool tidbits….sure, lots, but you’ll have to read the books to find out what they are!

Louise: What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

JD: Outlines? I think I’ve heard of those. I pretty much write by the seat of my pants. Coming from the non-writing background as I think of it, I never really knew anything about the in and the outs of creative writing. I just sit down and type and whatever pops out, pops out. I clean it up later. This does cause a problem from time to time, some may call it writer’s block but I just call it my down time. I encounter points in my story where I get stuck. I’m totally lost and have no idea where to head next. These down times can last a day or two or even a week or two and then suddenly it will hit me. Oh hey, that’s a good idea. I better write that down. And I do, many times I’ll be somewhere far from a keyboard when the idea strikes. So, I’ll jot it down on something, napkin, the back cover of a book I might be reading and move along to develop the idea later. Another thing I do, as I am writing the story I leave myself little notes, something like, add this here, to remind me I need to go back and make a reference to it earlier. Or, similar, I’m adding this here, in order to remember it later. Um, does that make any sense at all? Once I run through the first draft I go through and make sure all of those little notes come together. I run through it a couple more times and then, finally, off to the appropriate editor. As far as those lag times go, I have a few other projects going which I tinker with while waiting for the next idea to come along. 

Louise: Do you write full time? What did you do before you became a writer or still do?

JD: I am a man of many hats. I do spend many hours writing along with everything else I have going where literature is concerned but I’m not sure if I’d call it fulltime, or even part time, it is what it is and that’s all it is. There are times when I’m working with deadlines when it feels fulltime, otherwise, I do make my own schedule, even if it is crazy. I mentioned above that I used to be a professional firefighter paramedic. During my days in the fire service writing was really not much more than a hobby. If you recall it took that knee injury to get me going. I am no longer in the fire service. Another injury sustained in the line of duty and the surgery which followed ended my career. So nowadays I divide my time between my children, I have two, a daughter, she’s just turned nine, and my son will be seven in a matter of weeks and my writing for the two different companies. I umpire high school and college baseball in the spring, I’m also a board member for the Chicago Writer’s Association, a Panelist for annual Clive Cussler Adventure Writer’s Competition and finally, I am involved in a teen mentor program. I work with a gal named Deana. She was a freshman in high school when she wrote her first novel. I’m proud to say that her first book Taking Chances will be published sometime in 2012. Oh, I’ve recently been dragged into being the Den Leader for my little guy’s Cub Scout Pack too. Its more work than one would think. 

Louise: Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

JD: Hmmmm, not really, since I stuff the writing in there between everything else I have going on. I wish I had a better answer. 

Louise: This was a good answer! You are one busy man/dad. Describe a typical writing day for you.

JD: A weekday, I drop the kids off at school, head to the fitness center and then use the rest of morning for errands or honey do’s. I settle in around noon and start typing. If my wife is working from home, I walk over to one of the local watering holes. If she’s working from the office, I stay home. I pick up the kids around three. My family crashes for night around nine. Depending on what I have going, I’ll stay up. For example, I’ve been hitting the keys until about 2 or 3 in the morning for a while now. I’m wrapping up the next paranormal story for the kids while editing another adventure story. And it looks like that might continue for a while. I’ll be writing two books at once soon, one for each genre, we’ll see if I live through that or not. The weekends, I try to take those off unless something is pressing. 

Louise: Please give us a sneak peek at your future books. What’s on the horizon?

JD: Well, I think I’ll be repubbing (is that even a word?) some of my older stuff for Kindle, possibly on my own, we’ll see. The next kid’s book, Field of Screams will be released on opening day for the 2012 baseball season. I have the title and concept ready for the next kid’s book, Pumpkin Jamboree and the Legend of Stumpy Scout. I’m just about ready to start typing there. I haven’t settled on a story to follow up Dartboard yet. I have a several thoughts but I’m still bouncing that stuff around in me noggin’.

Louise: I like 'repubbing'! *jotting down to use later*. What is your favorite genre to read and who is your favorite author?

JD: I’m a fiction guy with a wide range, I like historical fiction, adventure, humor, whatever strikes me while I’m browsing for new reading material, not that I have much time to read anymore. My favorites? Bernard Cornwell is number one. That man can write! While reading his stuff I can’t believe how many times I’ll think, Damn! I wish could write half as good as this guy! He writes historical fiction. I feel pretty close to the same about Carl Hiaasen, a Florida crime guy, Christopher Moore is a blast and then Clive Cussler, adventure writing at its finest. 

Louise: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers we have not touched on?

JD: Not really, though, I do love receiving emails from readers, bad or good. The bad stuff sucks but it helps to make one a better writer, I feel so anyway. And, I invite everyone to hit my up on Facebook, one can never have too many friends. My email addie, though kind of dorky, is jimmygwrites@aol.com.

Louise: Where can the readers learn more about you and find your books on the web? 

JD: With the demise of Borders my stuff is mostly on line, unless one is in the Chicago area. In that case, head into your local Barnes and Noble, it may be there. It’s pretty tough though, killing Borders eradicated a bunch of shelf space, so please, spread the virtual word. Here are those links…..

Web site
Facebook

Purchase Links
Dartboard on Amazon
Dartboard on B&N


Blurb:
1776: An English payroll ship loses sight of its convoy and wrecks on the shoals of a small, remote Caribbean island during a terrible storm, marooning its crew and a small group of soldiers. After rescuing the gold and burying it on the island, they are overrun by a tribe of cannibals, leaving the treasure hidden... Today: Jimmy Quigley, a small town cop, inherits a boat and a treasure map from his Uncle Jackson, a renowned world explorer. He hooks up with Evelyn Quinn, who also received a small inheritance from his uncle. He heads to the Caribbean with Evelyn and her friend, Kristin, and his friend, Rick, for some fun in the sun and a possible treasure hunt. When the boat is ransacked by thieves not once, but twice, Jimmy wonders if his uncle's warning to watch his back has more to it than he first thought. With his friends' safety and the fate of the Lorraine gold in mind, Jimmy heads off into the biggest adventure of his life...

The Kritterkreep book is on Kindle and B&N. So, thanks for having me here today! 

Jimmy G

Andy Biggs new life in the "burbs" is about to take a turn for the worse. An uninvited guest has moved into the stately old Victorian home he shares with his mom, new stepdad and baby sister. This weird little demon in a zoot suit has nothing but mischief on its mind and threatens to destroy Andy's home, school life and even his sanity. And when Andy enlists the aid of a pretty girl with a mysterious past, his whole world turns upside down in a battle of good vs. evil against the dreaded "Kritterkreep."

Jimmy emailed me and states he wants to give away a copy of Caribbean Calling to one lucky commenter. The drawing will take place tomorrow through random draw. So be sure to leave a comment with your email address!