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Friday, November 29, 2013

Scott Wyatt New Release - "Dimension M"


Today, I'm proud to introduce my readers to author Scott Wyatt and his new political thriller, “Dimension M”.

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REAL-LIFE HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE ANIMATES POLITICAL THRILLER

When I traveled to the former Soviet Union in 1985, I had no idea that my experiences would inspire the founding of a global initiative. Nor could I have imagined that the companion flag project—dedicated to the celebration of all that human beings have in common—would find its way into my second novel, an international political thriller that I would pen twenty-eight years later. 

Enter Dimension M.
Idealists Alden Frost and Fatimah Ibrahim break into a school in Uzbekistan (part of the former Soviet Union) to raise the companion flag, but this is more than just a school. It’s the secret repository for the Şahin Diary, an exposé on the Armenian genocide. The diary has been held under seal since the end of World War I, not to be opened for 200 years. If its contents are publicized, the government of Turkey could fall, destabilizing the Middle East. After Alden’s and Fatimah’s arrest, it’s discovered that the diary is missing. Forces and interests around the world are mobilized to find it, either to return it to hiding, or to publicize its contents. Alden and Fatimah find themselves squarely in the crosshairs.

Praise for Dimension M:

Readers are in for some exciting chase scenes, a cast of well-developed and diverse characters, and a mystery that unfolds at a pleasingly tantalizing pace. Yet, at the center of all the action stand Alden and Fatimah and their passion for the concept of the companion flag.” —Compulsion Reads Book Review

While there’s plenty of the action you’d typically find in a political suspense novel — bombings, abductions, and high-speed motorcycle chases — the heart of the story is a message of shared experience, empathy, and the importance of trust in an uncertain world.” —The Literary Lawyer (NWLawyer magazine)
Additional reviews at www.amazon.com/dp/B00GIC3PX8. Release date: Nov. 6, 2013.



About the Author:
Scott Wyatt, a native of Sandpoint, Idaho, earned degrees at Stanford and the University of Washington before entering the practice of law in 1976. He founded the companion flag project in 1999 “to elevate and sustain public awareness of all that human beings have in common, without speaking to, or diminishing the importance of, our differences and diversity.” 

Wyatt has traveled throughout the world on behalf of the initiative, and the companion flag has been adopted at schools and universities in over fifteen countries. In 2012, Wyatt released his first novel, Beyond the Sand Creek Bridge, which follows the experiences of Chinese immigrants building the Northern Pacific railroad through the Idaho Territory in 1882. Read more at www.scottwyattauthor.com, and follow the author at www.facebook.com/scottwyattauthor.


What motivates you to write?
My interest in creative writing predates the start of my first novel, Beyond the Sand Creek Bridge (2012), which was thirty years in the making. At present, I’m pleased to be riding a robust wave of creative energy. It has been a long time coming, but it’s here now, and I feel blessed to have the time and capacity to make the most of it.

As passionate as I am about writing, I’m even more passionate about an idea that came to me out of the blue in 1985, following a trip to the former Soviet Union. This is the notion that the moral dimension in human interactions and behaviors—how we treat one another—is shaped as much by the content of our awareness of other as by those rules, mores, symbolical thoughts, religious tenets, and prescriptions that we call our own, or that we embrace throughout our lives. Yes, I know that’s a mouthful! At its core, though, is this idea: that human beings—all of us—are both different and the same (in materialistic terms, we are made up of both human differences and human “samenesses”); that, when we encounter one another, we are drawn to and mesmerized by the human differences we see in “other”; and that, for a whole host of reasons, we formulate our moral commitments to other based exclusively on difference awareness: my family/your family, my tribe/your tribe, my ethnic group/your ethnic group, my nation/your nation. The content of our awareness of other, in other words, which gives rise to the moral impulse, is difference awareness alone, not a combination of difference awareness and sameness awareness. The compassionate impulse, which is the fruit of sameness awareness, is lost.

This is more than can be conveyed adequately in a paragraph. You’ll find this theme developed in attorney Jason McQuade’s closing argument in Beyond the Sand Creek Bridge, and again in “The Sanori Flag Debate,” the appendix to my just-released Dimension M (2013).


And what about you?
I have four children and five grandchildren. My wife, Rochelle Wyatt, is a talented Seattle-area actress. Since 2009, we have lived in a beautiful cabin-like home overlooking Lake Sammamish, fifteen miles east of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Master Koda Black Friday Big Book Bash


An open invitation to all my readers to the Master Koda Black Friday Big Book Bash.


Instead of my normal WOW Wednesday post, where I focus on one author, I'd like to share a huge Facebook event that is happening this Friday through Monday of next week. That's 11/29 at 10:00am until 12/2 at 9:00pm in PST. Better known as, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Kim Mutch Emerson, publisher extraordinaire, of Master Koda Select Publishing is sponsoring an event so large that even the participants are astonished by its reach.

Here are the thirty-five authors who will be your hosts over four days filled with hundreds of games and prizes. Times listed are Pacific Standard Time.


FRIDAY 11/29/13
10:00am - Noon:    Adam Gaffen & Laurie E. Boris
Noon - 2:00pm:      Linda Bolton & Kim Kim Mutch Emerson
2:00pm - 4:00pm:   Brenda Perlin, Jane Carroll & G Mitchell Baker
4:00pm - 6:00pm:   Tammy Novak & Jerrid Edgington
6:00pm - 8:00pm:   Jacqueline Cross & Lisa Day

SATURDAY 11/30/13
11:00am – 1:00pm:    Sherrill Willis & Sarah L. Wallace
1:00pm – 3:00pm:      Tamy Burns & Stephanie Brown Myers
3:00pm – 5:00pm:      Douglas Davis & Tellulah Darling
5:00pm – 7:00pm:      Allison M. Cosgrove & Laci Paige

MONDAY 12/2/13
8:00am – 10:00am:      Barbara Robinson & Martin Crosbie
10:00am - Noon:         Greta Burroughs & Vickie Johnstone
Noon – 2:00pm:          Jennifer Loiske & Doug Simpson
2:00pm – 4:00pm:       Kim Emerson & Arlene R. O'Neil
4:00pm – 6:00pm:       Lynne Cantwell & Kimberly R Hughes
6:00pm – 8:00pm:       J Kelly Accinni & DeEtte Beckstead 

The authors will be dropping in throughout the day on Sunday to chat, however times are not scheduled as on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Please do drop in on Sunday, though. The fun keeps going right through the entire weekend and you never know what my publisher will get up to!

I did mention prizes, didn't I? The way it works, host authors will post games, guests who play those games will be entered into the drawing to win the stated prize. Each host will choose the winner. For instance, they'll use random.org, count 'likes' to a comment, or in some other way that they'll post along with the game. Prizes include gift cards, all sorts of swag and lots of books. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire HD provided by Kim Mutch Emerson. She has set up a rafflecopter for entries that will be posted on the event page throughout the event.

Every author on this list will be discounting their books for the event. Imagine how many books you can purchase for .99 - that's right, under one dollar! The Master Koda Black Friday/Cyber Monday event is perfectly timed for Christmas shopping right from the comfort of your home. Why fight the crowds of Black Friday when you can sit at home and purchase books at a huge discount. You're sure to find something from this list of authors for everyone in the family and all those hard-to-buy-for coworkers. Too, your church family will enjoy stories like DeEtte Beckstead's, Victory and The Christmas Visitors.


I can't say goodbye without mentioning how excited I am about hosting, along with Lisa Day, on Friday night from 6:00 – 8:00 PST/8:00 – 10:00 CST/9:00 – 11:00 EST. I hope you'll drop in and have some fun with us. We have six games planned, and maybe even a surprise or two!

You can join any time before, or during the event. Here's the link to join in the fun.

Hope to see you there!


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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

WOW Wednesday with DeEtte Anderton


It's WOW Wednesday again here at the desk. Today, DeEtte Anderton visits with us. She's not only an author and editor, I consider her one of the sweetest friends I've had the pleasure of connecting with in the wide world of the internet. A Christian, inspirational author, she lives her message. Her stories are deep, thought provoking and filled with hope and love.


We're going to get a look at Victory , a town where the people love their country and their neighbors, but what happens when two visitors come to town? One comes with fear and control, slowly taking away the freedoms the people love. The other comes with faith. When darkness overtakes the town who will have Victory? 



It's Christmas Eve - A blizzard and a paranormal sighting cause an accident on a country road. Sam and Ellen seek refuge at a nearby farmhouse. Their experience with the elderly couple that live there will change their lives forever.






It's the perfect time, too! DeEtte's stories will make a nice addition to any Christmas gift list. Why not pick up several copies and spread the love this season? 

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Got freedom? Want to keep it? Victory.
They love freedom but forgot its cost. Will they remember before too late? Victory.



Victory is the story of a little girl, and the town where she lives. The town of Victory has a history of patriotism, faith, and friendliness. The little girl, Brown Eyes, orphaned when her missionary parents were killed in a fire, lives with her only known relative who does not want the girl. When The Guest comes to town, the people open their hearts town to him, without knowing who he is or what his motive is. Shortly after his arrival, The Stranger appears, much to the discomfort of The Guest. Slowly, the town loses its freedoms as one of the men takes over little by little. When there is a face to face showdown on the mountain, the life of the child and the future of the town are at stake. Who will have the Victory?  


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Author and blogger, DeEtte Anderton started writing in 2007 when her son challenged her to get involved in NaNoWriMo. The manuscript sat untouched with several others until January of 2012 when a good 
 friend encouraged her to seek publication. The Christmas Visitors is her first short story, and her current novel, Victory is also her first.


DeEtte spent much of her childhood playing the piano, clarinet, and guitar, reading, and making up stories. She was active in Girl Scouts, which gave her a wide variety of experiences. While in college, she was on the University of Utah Synchronized Swim team, and taught year-round camping and survival skills for Girl Scouts. She has spent many years working with people with disabilities.
            

Originally from Utah, currently DeEtte lives in New England where she writes full time and works on the editing team of Master Koda Select Publishing. Her other interests include swimming, crocheting, reading, traveling, history, and her grandchildren. In addition, this devoted mother of six and grandmother of twelve (thirteen, come January 2014!) has been a concerned participant in dog rescue services for many years.

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DeEtte Anderton enjoys hearing from her readers.Connecting with her is easy.
 Check out her links, below.










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Thank you for stopping by today. 




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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

WOW Wednesday with Arlene R. O'Neil


Once again, it's WOW Wednesday. I'm honored to have Arlene R. O'Neil here at the desk today. She's an inspiration to everyone she comes in contact with. Her strength and determination is evident in the sojourn that is her life. Her kindness to people and animals is unmatched by most. Arlene not only shares her story, but along the way, she shares her heart with all who have an ear to hear its softly beating whispers.

We're going to spotlight Broken Spokes today.





Broken Spokes is more than a well-written, interesting read. It is an inspirational collection of the memories of a courageous child who, in spite of physical and emotional suffering, grew into a compassionate, loving and valiant woman. Crippled at age six, the author begins an odyssey which will consume her entire life. Through her sufferings, she finds a way to heal others, and in doing so, saves herself.




"Writing is what lights me up," states Arlene R. O'Neil. "Being a visual writer, I love seeing my work come to life: to take the reader with me on a journey word by word: to touch a reader whether through laughter or tears." Her current book, "Broken Spokes," refers to broken bones, broken bike, and broken spirit. It
speaks to the reader of determination, of survival, of inspiration.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Mrs. O'Neil moved to South Carolina to work on her second novel, which will relate the roller coaster life of being the parent of a Soldier on active duty. O'Neil says, "My son, SGT Tanner O'Neil, is a member of the United States Army and the joy, pride, and love of my life. After five tours of duty to active war zones, I feel the need to share my experience with other parents in hope of lessening their fears." SGT O'Neil recently returned from his 5th combat tour.

Currently Arlene lives with her two Labradors, Holly and Bruno, and her adorable pet goats, Paxton, JaeJay, Rupert, Patches, and Frosty. "These amazing characters have helped me through some incredibly difficult times and I love them dearly."

Aside from writing, supporting her son while deployed, and caring for her animals, Arlene lives on 3 ½ acres of land that she and her beloved animals enjoy.

An author, editor and proofreader, Arlene R. O'Neil may be contacted at arleneoneil@aol.com

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If you'd like to get in touch with Arlene, you'll find her at the links below.


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Typically, this is where I'd say goodbye, but today, I want to add a little extra to WOW Wednesday. 
What could be more WOW than to celebrate the selfless contributions 
made by one of our own? Arlene's son, SGT Tanner O'Neil,  serves the 
United States and her people by devoting himself to 
the cause of freedom around the world. 



I want to take this opportunity to thank him personally.
I applaud your dedication, loyalty, heart and giving spirit.
My gratitude and prayers are with you, Tanner, 
and all those, who, like you, serve others.  
Thank you will never be enough.
But, thank you.




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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

S.L. Wallace Brings Us Dante's Day Off

At the desk today, I once again pound my head on the desk for letting this post get away from me. It was my intention to bring S.L. Wallace’s new story, Dante's Day Off to you before now. 

If the name is familiar, it's because this wonderful author has visited with us before. For a look at that post, which includes several of her books, jump over to this page. 


Let's get a closer look at S.L. Wallace's new story, shall we?



In early July 2013, the following news article made headlines: "Possibility of First Head Transplant Fraught with Ethical and Medical Dilemmas." Are head transplants really in our near future, and what will that mean for mankind? Dante Marando understands that the human body is fragile. With recent medical advances, he's certain scientists will soon be able to keep healthy people alive for longer stretches of time, and he is determined to be a part of history in the making. Is Dante interested in helping mankind thrive, or is he only looking out for himself?





                                   




S.L. Wallace is an upper elementary Montessori teacher and lifelong writer who is a descendant of the famous William Wallace. Like him, she believes in freedom and independence. Unlike him, she fights her battles with the pen. S.L. has a quirky family and prefers quirky friends. If you see her out and about, she is likely looking for some fun.

                          


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To purchase your copy of Dante's Day Off, check it out on Amazon at HERE


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Monday, November 11, 2013

Laurie Boris & Sliding Past Vertical

Good morning friends. Today, I am slamming my head on the desk. Figuratively, of course. I intended to have Laurie Boris at the desk two weeks ago. I completely missed the window that included her .99 sale. I apologize to her, and to my readers who missed the opportunity to grab this book at a reduced price. Even at full price, this is a great read. It comes highly recommended by everyone I've spoken to about it. It's on my own must read list. Fifteen five star, and two four star reviews make it an  average 4.9 star book. You can't go wrong with that sort of praise!

Here's a little about the author, and the book, Sliding Past Vertical.

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Sliding Past Vertical is a literary love story. It's about Sarah Cohen, a young woman who rarely looks before she leaps, and Emerson McCann, her old college boyfriend, always a phone call away with a metaphorical mop to help her clean up the mess. To Sarah, now living in Boston, it’s a comfortable, long-distance relationship. But Emerson’s feelings for her are a little different. He’d stayed behind in Syracuse and never stopped loving her, even when he could only watch and offer comfort as she dated loser after loser, even when he wanted her set upon by the Seven Plagues of Egypt—especially the boils. When the latest boyfriend du jour puts Sarah in deep trouble, Emerson again rushes to her aid. Cleaning up this mess puts Sarah too close for comfort when she decides that to correct the crooked trajectory of her life, she needs to return to Syracuse, where it all started going wrong. But with Sarah the walking disaster in town, is anyone really safe?



Laurie Boris
Laurie Boris is an editor, proofreader, and former graphic designer who wrote this story in part because she missed the “old days” of drafting tables and hot wax. Also an award-winning author, she’s been writing fiction for almost thirty years. She’s previously published three novels set in her home base in New York’s Hudson Valley, all contemporary fiction, including The Joke’s on Me, Drawing Breath, and Don’t Tell Anyone. Sliding Past Vertical is Boris’ first fictional trip back into the past, which, according to many authors below the age of thirty, represents anything that happened before the invention of Twitter. When she’s not playing with the fictional people in her head, Laurie enjoys baseball, cooking, and helping aspiring authors as contributing writer and associate editor of IndiesUnlimited.com.


You'll find the ebook 'Sliding Past Vertical' HERE.
The paperback, HERE.

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Watch for another head to desk post tomorrow. 
That's right, I'll be doing this again, as I also missed a post for author, S. L. Wallace. 


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Friday, November 1, 2013

Rough Hewn II: ESCAPE Cover Reveal


I can't tell you all how excited I am to finally share this book with you. And, the cover is fantastic. Rebbekah White captured the story in teeny-tiny pixels and fitted them together to come up with this wonderful cover that represents Jim and Carolyn Breckenship.

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The Book

Rough Hewn II: Escape picks up the lives of Kilmservy Village's most well-known citizens almost two hundred years after the village was settled by the Stuttshire and Breckenship families.

Life has changed a lot in the small mountain village since Oliver Stuttshire, Yule Breckenship and their families made the journey from the shores of North Carolina to the mountains of Tennessee. Some things never change, though. Good people tend to pass on their way of life to their children and grandchildren. All of whom go out into the world and try to make it better in their own way. The same can be said for people who are not so good. Those with evil in their hearts pass on that evil to the young ones. And if they are not strong enough to fight it, these children mimic the behaviors they've learned at home.

Some say it's in the blood; that evil passes from generation to generation. In the case of the Breckenship blood line, it seems to be true. Each new generation of Breckenship men seem more monstrous than those who have gone before. If it's true that evil endures in the blood and is passed on, than this family is the epitome of such evil. And, Jim Breckenship is the worst of the lot.

Jim's wife, Carolyn, learns too late that whispers of her husband's crimes are more than rumors. She must reconcile within herself the reasons she stays in the house with a monster. Additionally, she must alter her escape plan as Jim's actions grow more abhorrent by the day, nay, the hour. Will she escape in time to save herself and her secret, or has she waited too long?

The Cover

Now, as promised, the cover for Escape.

I'd like to thank Rebbekah White of Advantage Marketing for You and Master Koda Select Publishing for a job well done on this cover. You've truly captured Jim in all his 'glory'.

Book Launch Party

I'd like to invite everyone to the online book launch for Escape on Facebook. There will be games with prizes awarded, authors, readers, and friends. I'd love to have you stop by. The date is November 8 and the time is 3:00 PM CST. Please join us while we celebrate another release from Master Koda Select Publishing. The link for the party is here.


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It's always good to see you. Thank you for stopping by the desk today. 


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