This hop is hosted by Author Sandra Love. 

Sandra Love's Blog Spot

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Synopsis

A Cowboy and his Duty

Jason McGregor was a country boy raised on a horse ranch. His daddy taught him the meaning of family responsibility but that didn't teach him anything about the rules of love. In Jason's eyes it was all about the horses and keeping the McGregor Ranch going. When Haley Sheridan came to visit, Jason's world gets turned upside down. He could no longer see black and white anymore.

Haley Sheridan was far from home and lost without her father. Her emotions were all over the place. She only came to Montana out of duty to her mother. She didn’t understand how Mrs. McGregor took care of all the house hold chores from cooking, cleaning, and making sure her husband and sons were taken care. But when she looked at Jason there was something in his eyes that made her want to understand.

Could a cowboy love a city slicker? Or a city slicker love a cowboy? Neither one knew how to communicate what they really wanted. Come follow Jason and Haley in Book 1 of The McGregor Saga. See how two hearts can become one with enough faith.

Buy Links

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jason%27s+Duty+by+Alisha+Guenzel

http://www.amazon.com/Jasons-Duty-McGregor-Saga-1/dp/1507810725/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/520290

Author Bio:

Alisha Guenzel The Author

She is a native to New England although she was raised on the plains of West Texas. She has always loved to write stories. But it wasn't until she married her husband did she take a chance on her dream to become a published author. Although writing is her passion, she also loves to spend time with her kids and husband on their five acre ranch.

Author Web Links:

Author Web Page: http://alishaguenzel.wix.com/authorwebpage
FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/RomanceNovelistAlishaGuenzel
The McGregor Saga Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSaga
Jason’s Duty Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSagaJD
Trailer for Jason’s Duty:  http://youtu.be/PqxEkZ7ZTnU

HTML

Jason’s Duty

By: Alisha Guenzel

Blog Tour April 22^nd-27th

A Cowboy and his Duty

Jason McGregor was a country boy

raised on a horse ranch. His daddy taught him the meaning of family

responsibility but that didn't teach him anything about the rules of love. In

Jason's eyes it was all about the horses and keeping the McGregor Ranch going.

When Haley Sheridan came to visit, Jason's world gets turned upside down. He

could no longer see black and white anymore.

Haley Sheridan was far from home

and lost without her father. Her emotions were all over the place. She only

came to Montana out of duty to her mother. She didn’t understand how Mrs.

McGregor took care of all the house hold chores from cooking, cleaning, and

making sure her husband and sons were taken care. But when she looked at Jason

there was something in his eyes that made her want to understand.

Could a cowboy love a city

slicker? Or a city slicker love a cowboy? Neither one knew how to communicate

what they really wanted. Come follow Jason and Haley in Book 1 of The McGregor

Saga. See how two hearts can become one with enough faith.

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jason%27s+Duty+by+Alisha+Guenzel

http://www.amazon.com/Jasons-Duty-McGregor-Saga-1/dp/1507810725/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/520290

Alisha Guenzel's first installment in The McGregor Saga is a delightfully sweet love story. 

Though the story is centered around Haley and Jason's relationship, it's also a family love story - with all that entails. The reader is able to experience the couple's growth, both, individually and as a twosome. Haley learns that being part of a family whose lives are devoted to each other, brings its own challenges and rewards.

I'm particularly fond of family sagas and am looking forward to the next book in this series.  

Alisha Guenzel The Author

She is a native to New England

although she was raised on the plains of West Texas. She has always loved to

write stories. But it wasn't until she married her husband did she take a

chance on her dream to become a published author. Although writing is her

passion, she also loves to spend time with her kids and husband on their five

acre ranch.

Author Web Links:

Author Web Page: http://alishaguenzel.wix.com/authorwebpage

FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/RomanceNovelistAlishaGuenzel

The McGregor Saga Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSaga

Jason’s Duty Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/TheMcGregorSagaJD

Trailer for Jason’s Duty:  http://youtu.be/PqxEkZ7ZTnU

WOW Wednesday with Karen Magill

At the desk today, we have Karen Magill. She is an author and a quite special human being. Her blog, Vancouver Vagabond, is one of my favorite blogs. She includes so much information and many great pictures. Oh, I got sidetracked there for a minute. We're here to find out more about her books and the party Did I mention that there will be a release party on 5 March? There sure will be and it's right here.

~~~

Author Karen Magill

What if you woke one day to find yourself paralysed on one side of your body?

That’s what happened to Karen Magill on June 5, 2000. Nine days later she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and just over three months after that, she had to leave the best job she had ever had. Ms. Magill started on a frightening, confusing journey that was her life now.

Then something interesting happened. Once Karen began adjusting to her new circumstances, coming to terms with the fact that her former life had vanished, she realized that the MS was a gift. Her eyes opened to the possibilities around her. 

On The Right Side, My Story of Survival and Success looks at Ms. Magill’s life with MS and the factors in life, which influence her. This isn’t a how to book on living well with chronic illness, but rather a touching, opinionated, sometimes humorous story on how one person has gone from partial paralysis to jumping to touch low hanging tree leaves. 

As long as we aren’t six feet under, we are on the right side and anything is possible. That’s the philosophy Ms. Magill lives by and hopes that readers will come to realize that they too can overcome hardships and live good lives.

Excerpts:

First thing in the morning, I am not fully awake but I do know I have to go to the washroom – that room calls me as soon as my eyes open. Sometimes even before. That Monday I crawled the short distance between my bedroom and the bathroom where I hauled myself onto the toilet, took care of business, and then dragged myself up to the bathroom sink. I leaned against the vanity and brushed my teeth, watching myself in the mirror as I did so. It was strange. Nothing on the left side of my face moved. It was as if someone had drawn a line down the center of my body and everything on the right side was fine but the left side didn’t move. What was going on?

All sorts of possibilities go through one’s mind when he or she is waiting for a diagnosis such as this. Could it be cancer? Or something I have never heard of? Was my life going to be cut short? So many possibilities. But that wasn’t what was worrying me.

I was terrified that the results of the MRI wouldn’t show anything and once again medical professionals would think I was imagining things. I began to silently chant to myself, Let the MRI show something. I chanted that refrain the entire time I was travelling downtown.

Yeah, there was a fair amount of self-pity. I resented the fact I had finally got a job which paid well enough for me to have a future and then this happens. It seemed that every time I was making positive advances in my life, something would happen to derail me. Like the accident on the horse – I was going to college in Vancouver and on my summer break when that happened. What dastardly crime did I, or one of my ancestors, commit so that every time I got something good happening in my life, I would get knocked off my feet again.

Perhaps I was also afraid. This was my opportunity to prove that I had writing talent and could succeed in the literary business. What if I didn’t have any talent? What if I was just a dreamer with no talent, no ability, and destined to remain the way I was until I died? What if all my previous failures were a sign I wasn’t capable? What if there was no hope for me?

Karen Magill is a very busy lady. You'll find her working away at any of the places listed below.

On The Right Side, My Story of Survival and Success, eBook 

Webpage

Blog, Vancouver Vagabond 

On The Right Side Blog

Twitter 

(@KarenMagill)

Amazon page

Face book

FB Fan page 

Author/Speaker fan page

On The Right Side group

Don't forget to come out and be with us at the release party. 

There will be games, prizes and tons of fun with fabulously friendly people!

Party on Facebook

Author John Augustine drops in at the desk today. The publishing house is all abuzz about his upcoming book, 'From the Abyss'. He's having a big online party to celebrate the release of his story. A story that is filled with raw honesty that will cause readers to gasp in disbelief, and cry out for an end to the pain that plays out on the pages. This book tugs at the heartstrings and will stay with the reader long after they close the cover over his words.

~~~

Synopsis/Book Blurb:

 24-year-old John Augustine is looking for a lasting, loving relationship and finds one hidden where he least expects it. Knowing that no relationship is perfect, he walks in with eyes wide open but is unable to see the future swirling with hell and heartache. Amidst the struggles of a new marriage, John begins to realize his wife is far different than the woman he thought he married. Her mental illness soon drags the new family past the point of no return. As a man, John struggles to be strong and tackle their problems single-handedly, though the marital foundation is eroding before his eyes. But once his wife files for divorce, he finds himself in a free-fall.

John Augustine's Bio

John Emil Augustine grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and toured in his twenties and early thirties with local and national acts; writing, arranging, and performing with notable jazz, blues, gospel, reggae, post funk, prog rock, and folk groups. John has also been a landscaper, mail carrier, English professor, and forklift operator. He currently lives in Minneapolis with his wife and four boys.

~~~

The release party for 'From the Abyss' promises to be huge. Authors,

readers and friends will come together to celebrate John's

new release with games, trivia, and prizes. 

Lots of prizes. 

And, it's happening today! Feed and tuck in the family, and join us on Facebook. 

It's easy to join, just click on the link below and tick 'join' on the event page. 

Then, check back in throughout the day, but especially at 

7-9 PM Eastern, 6-8 PM Central, 5-7 PM Mountain, 4-6 PM Pacific 

when the festivities really start hopping! 

I'll be there along with other Master Koda authors, artists, readers and friends. 

Live From the Abyss

You can also connect with John at the links below. 

He enjoys hearing from readers, and it always open to new friends and followers on social media. 

Website

Facebook Author Page

Facebook Personal Page

Twitter

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”.

~~~

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.

.

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.

~~~

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.

~~~

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. 

.

Brenda Perlin and The Brooklyn Chronicles

Brenda Perlin is at it again! The Brooklyn Chronicles, the second book in the Home Wrecker series is set for release on 11 October. There's going to be a fabulous book launch party to celebrate the new book. Come one, come all and join the fun on Facebook, 11 October at 1:00 pm (PST) where you'll enjoy games, win prizes, meet the author and make new friends. In the days leading up to the event, Brenda will be giving away eBooks at random so watch for her posts on the event page at Facebook! If you haven't read the first book, Home Wrecker Chronicles, now is a good time to pick up a copy.

As always, I'm pleased to have Brenda here at the desk. Let's find out more about Brooklyn and Bo, shall we?

~~~

“Brooklyn and Bo, each unhappily married to others, 

must decide whether to stay with their spouses or give up everything for their love.”

Brooklyn Rosen had high moral principles and was raised properly. Married for over fifteen years, those standards went out the window along with her fidelity when she met Bo. After becoming a self-proclaimed “Home Wrecker” Brooklyn left behind her marital home, along with the damage caused by her emotional wrecking ball. But the whispered remarks followed. In “Home Wrecker: The Brooklyn Chronicles” we learn what shaped Brooklyn, the trials of an unhappy marriage and a deep abiding love that would not be denied. We meet a troubled, spiteful wife, who does not want to become an “ex”. Will Brooklyn and Bo survive, or will all be lost to a bitter woman?


“I knew the sort of girl that went after married men and that was something I would have judged harshly, in the past.

Truth be told, I really thought this man’s marriage was over. I knew it had been on the rocks for a long time but by the time we were talking, I thought the only thing that was holding up his divorce was a signed settlement. I never felt like I was stealing someone else’s husband and yet my story became one that could have been seen on an episode of Jerry Springer or Cheaters.”

~~~

HOME WRECKER IS BACK! A Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Struggle to Keep New-found Happiness October 11, 2013. Ladera Ranch, California: Brenda Perlin is back with Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles, published by Master Koda Select Publishing. This Contemporary Romance is set to continue the story of Home Wrecker I: Home Wrecker Chronicles in September of 2013. The reader will experience an emotional roller-coaster ride as the writer divulges the sad and dark times of Brooklyn, all the while provoking deep thought while re-living her memories through the reading experience. Home Wrecker: The Brooklyn Chronicles provides a look into the heart and mind of a woman who cheated on her marriage and the reasons why it happened. It is honest. It is real. It is the story of what made Brooklyn the woman she is today, the decisions made that put her on the path she walks today, and it does it with an openness and honesty not found in many such stories. The book is well written and grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention until the very end.” – Crystal Schall, The Book Rack

Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles puts the reader on a journey through the eyes of the main character, Brooklyn Rosen. Her story, at times, is excruciatingly honest and evokes one’s own self-reflection throughout the reading experience. However, through the devastation and tribulations, the reader will also gain an insight to the inspiring strength of the heroine as she struggles toward personal happiness.

And here's the wonderful thought provoking trailer Brenda created for the book.

Brenda Perlin's publisher, Master Koda Select Publishing, is a small, but high quality, publisher of ebooks and paperbacks. The company takes pride in its authors by implementing aggressive marketing initiatives. Master Koda Select Publishing selects only a few authors per year to ensure they are receiving the attention they deserve. For further inquiries and additional information, please contact: Kim Mutch Emerson http://masterkodaselectpublishing.com 

Brenda Perlin enjoys hearing from readers and fans. You can get in touch with her through the links below.

Facebook

Twitter

Website 

Blog

Or, you can leave a comment here at the blog. She'll be dropping by to read & respond to your comments.

~~~

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Author Bruce Blake at The Desk

Author Bruce Blake visits with us at the desk today. He is quite the fruitful author. No, I didn't say fruitcake. Seriously, he wrote his newest novel in fourteen days! It's almost as if he's been sprinkled with sparkly dust by the fairy God Mother in charge of words and imagination. I think you will enjoy getting to know Bruce. I also think he'll become one of your favorite new authors to read once you pick up a copy of any one of his books.

Mr. Blake will you share a bit about your writing with the readers?

~~~

One of the most common questions you hear asked of authors is 'where do your ideas come from?' If you read a few interviews, you'll find a wide variety of answers, many of which are pre-formulated to evoke laughter or feelings of inadequacy. Part of the problem with the question, I think, is that so much time has often passed since the author had the idea for the book, he or she likely doesn't even recall the impetus for the novel.


In the case of my upcoming book, When Shadows Fall, it has only been a couple of months since I began work on the project, so perhaps I can give you a tour of the writer's mind (please tread carefully...there's a lot of darkness and it's a bit messy).


I had finished writing the third book in my Icarus Fell urban fantasy series and began work on another project which, I'm sorry to say, didn't go so well. It did, however, put me in the mood to write epic fantasy; it had been nearly six months since I completed the Khirro's Journey trilogy, so it was time.


Step one to story idea: choose your genre (or sub-genre).


Once I've settled on what kind of story I want to write, I try to think of a ways to make it a little bit different from the norm. In the Khirro's Journey trilogy, I chose a non-traditional protagonist. For this series, I decided to have a prophecy discovered on an ancient scroll. Not so different, you say? How about a little confusion as to who the prophecy refers to, both on the good side and the evil side? I'm interested.


Step two to story idea: think of a twist.


The third thing that came to me as I ponderied the nature of this prophecy was the term 'Small Gods', which then became the title for the series. Something about it captured my attention, possibly because when we think about gods, we don't think of small things, but big, all-powerful beings. This prompted me to sit down and really think about the Small Gods, their role in the story, and other details about my world in general.


Step three to story idea: build your world.


As the world came together, more characters and story ideas came to light. I started thinking about having two groups known as Small Gods to throw more uncertainty into the prophecy. When I began digging into the religion, which I decided to be Goddess-based, I wondered what it would look like if the devotees of the religion were all women. What would happen to the men? What if a sect of men broke off and were secretly in opposition to the women? The more I thought, the more possibilities screamed at me to get writing.


Step four to story idea: imagine the possibilities.


The last thing I decided on—which is something I hope most authors do when they set out to write a new book—was to challenge myself. Not only does When Shadows Fall follow four different story lines, but I was determined to make the voice of each different and distinct. But it gets worse...in the second book, which I am currently writing and expecting to be ready for a Dec. 1 release, I am writing one story line from the POV of a blind character—no description based on sight—and another from the POV of a character who doesn't speak the same language as any of the other characters. Fun stuff.


Step five to story idea: challenge yourself.


So there you have it...where a story idea comes from, at least in the case of When Shadows Fall. For me, it is rarely in a dream or a flash of light, fully-formed and ready to put pen to paper—it's work. Not as glamourous as thinking a muse sits on my shoulder and whispers, but it gets the job done.

҉

A hundred hundred seasons have turned since the Goddess banished the Small Gods to the sky, leaving the land to mankind alone.
For Prince Teryk, life behind the castle walls is boring and uneventful until he stumbles upon an arcane scroll in a long-forgotten chamber. The parchment speaks of Small Gods, the fall of man, and the kingdom's savior—the firstborn child of the rightful king. It's his opportunity to prove himself to his father, the king, and assure his place in history. All he needs to do is find the man from across the sea—a man who can't possibly exist—and save mankind.

But ancient magic has been put in motion by a mysterious cult determined to see the Small Gods reborn. Powerful forces clash, uncaring for the lives of mortals in their struggle to prevent the return of the banished ones, or aid in their rebirth.

Named in a prophecy or not, what chance does a cocky prince who barely understands the task laid before him stand in a battle with the gods?


Tell us a little about your new book, When Shadows Fall.


This is the first book in a new epic fantasy series called 'The Small Gods', and it's easily my most ambitious work to date. The main story line revolves around a prophecy found by Prince Teryk and his sister, Danya. It speaks of the rise of the Small Gods—who were banished by the Goddess a long time ago—and the fall of mankind. The story follows the siblings, who think Teryk is the saviour of mankind named in the prophecy, as well as a priestess of the Goddess, a sailor who hates the sea, and a little gray fellow named Thorn. There's a lot going on.


A prophecy? Hasn't that been done to death? What makes your book any different than all the others?


I like to do what I can to take typical fantasy tropes and turn them on their ear a bit. In this case, there are some doubts about the prophecy. Does it actually refer to Teryk? Exactly who are the Small Gods? There are a bunch of other things mentioned in the scroll that don't even make sense. Trust me when I tell you I've got a few surprises up my sleeve.


You recently published Secrets of the Hanged Man, the third book in your Icarus Fell urban fantasy series. Why back to epic fantasy after that? Why not more Icarus?


For all those Icarus fans out there: don't worry your favourite (sort of) dead guy will be back, he's just taking a little break after almost being dragged off to Hell. I love epic fantasy, though, so I often find myself drawn back to it. After I finished Hanged Man, I actually started another project which is kind of a historical epic fantasy, but I didn't feel like I was quite up to the task of that particular story yet. When the Small Gods paid me a visit instead, I was intrigued, and I just had to find out more about the story.


I heard that it only took a couple of weeks for you to write the first draft of When Shadows Fall. Is that true?


Yes. If you include writing a prologue after I'd done the editing on the rest, there were fifteen days of first draft manuscript writing in all.


How did you write it so quickly?


Firstly, I write full-time, so I put in 5-7 hours every day, but even then there's more to it. I attribute the speediness of the first draft to two things: planning and planning. Not only did I spend a month developing the world and the story while I was finishing up some other things, I also spent five to ten minutes planning at the beginning of each writing day when I first sat down. It's amazing how much more can be accomplished when you have that kind of clarity. If I finished what I planned and still had time, I took another five or ten minutes and planned some more.


What are you working on now?


The second book of the Small Gods (sorry, I don't have a title yet). I'm expecting to have it out Dec. 1. It's going to bring together some of the story lines from When Shadows Fall, split some up, and add in some others. I'm having a great time writing it with some interesting voices and challenging points of view.


How long will the Small Gods series be?


I can't say for sure, but I'm expecting five or six books.


I've always been curious about longer series: have you already planned everything that will happen?


Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Not even close. I have some highlights and ideas that I know I want to hit, and I have some thoughts about the climax, but it will be as much of a surprise to me as it is to everyone else, at this point. The problem with planning something that's going to run long is that it changes on you...those darn characters tend to take over and go running off to do things you never expected.


Any final words to new writers out there?


Two, really. The first is to work on your craft...always. Do it by reading books you love and analyzing them to figure out what it is you like so much. Do it by reading books you don't love, and figure out why that's the case. Take classes if you can, go to conferences, read books on craft—lots of them—and learn from other authors you come in contact with.
The second is never quit. You're not really a writer if you don't finish, you're just someone who writes.

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Bruce Blake lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. When pressing issues like shovelling snow and building igloos don't take up his spare time, Bruce can be found taking the dog sled to the nearest coffee shop to work on his short stories and novels.

Actually, Victoria, B.C. is only a couple hours north of Seattle, Wash., where more rain is seen than snow, and the dog is too small to pull a sled. Since snow isn't really a pressing issue, Bruce spends more time trying to remember to leave the "u" out of words like "colour" and "neighbour" then he does shovelling (and darn those double l's). The father of two, Bruce is also the trophy husband of a burlesque diva.

Bruce has been writing since grade school but it wasn't until a few years ago he set his sights on becoming a full-time writer. Since then, his first short story, "Another Man's Shoes" was published in the Winter 2008 edition of Cemetery Moon, another short, "Yardwork", was made into a podcast in Oct., 2011 by Pseudopod and his first Icarus Fell novel, On Unfaithful Wings, was published to Kindle in Dec., 2011. The second Icarus Fell novel, All Who Wander Are Lost, was released in July, 2012, and the third, Secrets of the Hanged Man, in July 2013. Sept., 2013 saw the publication of Blood of the King, the first book in the Khirro's Journey epic fantasy trilogy, followed by second book, Spirit of the King, in Dec., 2012, and the third, Heart of the King in Jan., 2013. He has plans for more Icarus novels, several stand alones, and several more books in the Small Gods series.

If you'd like to learn more about Bruce, you can find him at the links below.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BruceBlakeWrites

Twitter: @bruceablake

www.bruceblake.wordpress.com

bruceblake@hotmail.ca

Author Spotlight – Brenda Perlin

It's Author Spotlight Day at the desk today and it's all about Brenda Perlin. Brenda is another great author with Master Koda Select Publishing. Her first book, Home Wrecker I, gives rise to the Home Wrecker Chronicles and has rapidly gained a following. The story has pulled readers into the lives of a couple, Brooklyn and Bo, who unexpectedly find each other at a time when neither was searching. Their story has garnered honest, and at times, cutting reviews. On the other side of the review coin, readers readily admit to searching their own hearts once they close the virtual cover of this well-written book. Brenda Perlin has more stories to tell. Her characters are full of life and love with many adventures to come. The release of Home Wrecker II: The Brooklyn Chronicles is highly anticipated by the author's growing fan base. And, they will be happy to know that the wait is nearly over as the book is fast-tracking through the Master Koda publishing house as I type these words.

On a personal note, I met Brenda in the Master Koda writer's group on Facebook. I haven't known her long but in the short time since we've become acquainted, I'm proud to call her my friend. She's a women with a soft heart who speaks kindly of everyone and is always available to her friends and others who need encouragement. If you ever have occasion to meet or spend time with her, you'll be richly blessed by the encounter.

Now, let's get to Brenda's books.

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Brooklyn and Bo, each unhappily married to others, must decide whether to stay with their spouses or give up everything for their love. 

"Throughout Brooklyn’s life, she felt like she was on an endless journey toward redemption and she would have to be stronger than she ever imagined; do things she never felt herself capable of doing. When she finally found her soul mate, he came with one big snag: a wife. Brooklyn found herself fighting off her soon to be ex-husband and her lover’s wife. She knew what she was doing was wrong and yet… she couldn't turn back. No matter how much pain she may cause, it was too late. Brooklyn and Bo, each unhappily married to others, must decide whether to stay with their spouses or give up everything for their love. Brooklyn’s husband and Bo’s wife would try everything to break them apart and it was then Brooklyn finally confronted her own demons and came clean with everything and everyone in her life… even herself."



A Home Wrecker Divorce

“I had no intention of forsaking my wedding vows. I had strong morals and never could have imagined going against them.”

My parents were married over 30 years and even though they may not have been the best suited couple they planned on staying together until the end. Unfortunately, my mom’s end was sooner than expected. There is not a lot of divorce in my family and I never thought I would be another casualty. I believed in marriage and I still do. When I walked out on my marriage I left with disgrace and many called a Home Wrecker without knowing the whole story. Sometimes your life is altered in such a way that you do things that are totally unexpected.

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Purchase link for 'Home Wrecker I' http://amzn.com/B00CKBWWIU

***Watch for Brooklyn and Bo's return in Home Wrecker II

coming soon from Master Koda Select Publishing.***

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Brenda Perlin is an independent adult contemporary fiction author. Brenda evokes emotional responses in her readers by using a provocatively unique writing style. Her latest book, Home Wrecker, captures the soul-wrenching conflicts of a personal struggle for emotional fulfillment.

Ever since Brenda was a child, she has been fascinated with writing. She draws her biggest inspiration from Judy Blume. This sparked a passion in Brenda to pursue personal expression through writing. Once she was old enough to go to coffee shops alone, Brenda recalls losing herself in the world of writing, all while documenting her ideas on paper napkins.

“There is really no creative process, I just write.” – Brenda Perlin

Brenda’s first book, Home Wrecker I (Home Wrecker Chronicles), was published with Master Koda Select Publishing. Within a

short time, the book developed a strong fan base and is continuing to grow as it both entertains its readers and leaves them in a state of profound reflection. In the near future, Brenda would like to have Home Wrecker I expanded into a trilogy in order to tell the untold stories of her characters.

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Here's the link to view Brenda's Home Wrecker Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cAU9NM7lTs

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Brenda Perlin enjoys hearing from her fans and can be found at several sites across the web.

AMAZON.COM:

http://amzn.com/B00CKBWWIU

GOODREADS:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15825106-home-wrecker

WEBSITE:

http://www.homewreckerthebook.com

FACEBOOK: HOME WRECKER:

https://www.facebook.com/HomeWreckertheBook

FACEBOOK: HOME WRECKER: THE BROOKLYN AND BO CHRONICLES:

https://www.facebook.com/HomeWreckerTheBrooklynandBoChronicles

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:

http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-Perlin/e/B0088M542Q/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1359823060&sr=8-1

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/HomeWreckerbook

LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=228478303&trk=tab_pro

AUTHORSDB:

http://www.authorsdb.com/authors-directory/79-brenda-perlin

PINTEREST:

http://pinterest.com/brendaperlin/

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