Literarily Speaking

Friday, November 29, 2019

5 Things You Should Know About The Devil and Dayna Dalton by Brit Lunden @britlunden #5Things

thewriterslife November 29, 2019 0 Comments

Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.

wEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS

Website → www.britlunden.com

Blog → https://britlunden.blogspot.com

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BritLunden

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/britlunden

1- Dayna started out as a vixen in Bulwark. She was madly in love with Sherrif Clay Finnes almost her entire life and wanted to steal him away from his wife.

2- She’s annoying and invasive. I felt bad about that and decided to give her a backstory to explain her nature.

3- In a surprising twist, Dayna learns there is a reason for Sherriff Finnes rejection.

4- Dayna’s former babysitter is not who Dayna things she is. The older woman moved next door to her as an adult and has been judging her ever since.

5- Dayna finds true love in the most unlikely place, with a person no one saw coming.

inside the book

Title: WIDOW’S RUN
Author: TG Wolff
Publisher: Down & Out Books
Pages: 236
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

BOOK BLURB:

One night in Rome. One car. One dead scientist. Italian police investigate, but in the end, all they have are kind words for the new widow. Months later, a video emerges challenging the facts. Had he stepped into traffic, or was he pushed? The widow returns to the police, where there are more kind words but no answers. Exit the widow.

Enter Diamond. One name for a woman with one purpose. Resurrecting her CIA cover, she follows the shaky video down the rabbit hole. Her widow’s run unearths a plethora of suspects: the small-time crook, the mule-loving rancher, the lady in waiting, the Russian bookseller, the soon-to-be priest. Following the stink greed leaves in its wake reveals big lies and ugly truths. Murder is filthy business. Good thing Diamond likes playing dirty.

“TG Wolff’s novel is for crime-fiction fans who like it action-packed and hard-edged. Written with feisty panache, it introduces Diamond, one of the most aggressive, ill-tempered, and wholly irresistible heroines to ever swagger across the page.” –David Housewright, Edgar Award-winning author of Dead Man’s Mistress

order your copy below

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2NgYhGg

# 5 Things You Should Know

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Interview with Jennifer Oneal Price, Author of EmpowerEd @jennoprice #nonfiction

thewriterslife November 26, 2019 0 Comments

Jennifer Price is a special education attorney in the Pittsburgh metro area who has received awards for her legal skills and advocacy. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Price is very familiar with the courts and believes in making sure every child has an opportunity to succeed both in school and in life. Her boutique law firm provides services protecting and defending against abuses of the criminal justice system, as well as the educational systems. With 10 years of experience, Attorney Price’s advocacy has resulted in successes, including getting criminal charges withdrawn, preventing children from getting expelled out of school and federal civil rights lawsuits. Aa a speaker, she has presented at seminars and workshops and has also made regular television appearances for her legal opinions.

★WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS: ★

Website → www.jenniferpricelaw.com

Twitter → twitter.com/jennoprice

Inside the Book

BOOK BLURB:

This book outlines the progressive steps taken to address the educational needs of an exceptional child. From the Child Find process to filing a Due Process complaint, courts have addressed many legal issues. This book goes through court cases on some key issues from 2018 with an included workbook-style composition section after the cases. Parents and educational advocates will be able to read the cases and use the Thought Questions and composition space to take notes to better analyze their own case and advocate for their child’s educational rights.

★★★★★ORDER YOUR COPY★★★★★

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2q0Ql2Q

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Jennifer! Can you tell us where you are from?

I am originally from Fayetteville, NC, but I’ve lived in Pittsburgh, PA for the past 10 years.

Q: How did you come up with your title?

The title of my book is based on wanting parents and educational advocates to feel more empowered when they are in an IEP meeting or due process hearing. Parents often comment about feeling overwhelmed or out-resourced by the school and their attorneys. The title represents my hope that the content of the book will make parents feel empowered going forward.

Q: They say you can judge a book by its cover. Can you tell us a little about your cover and who designed it?

My cover was designed by Laura Boyle. I intentionally wanted more muted colors. I had seen other book covers from competing authors and didn’t like the bold colors or the whimsical/playful look. Parents aren’t feeling that way when they are at a point of needing my book. The table and chairs represent collaboration among all the people involved in educating the child, and the color red indicates boldness. I also wanted only one chair to be the color red to signify that the parent is now
emboldened with the information contained within the book. S/he will no longer be ignored.

Q: Can you tell us something about your book that would make me run out and buy it?

This book not only summarizes legal cases for parents to help them know how the court is ruling on similar education-related issues, but it provides questions to help parents understand the school’s defenses. I consider the book almost like a playbook in that parents will not only be able to create their offense strategy to get better results for their child but also know how to prepare for the school district’s defensive stance.

Q: Are there any messages in this book that you want the reader to know about?

None

Q: What was your most favorite chapter to write and why?

I liked writing the chapter on evaluations because it really allowed me to provide the right kind of
questions parents need to ask themselves so they can get used to thinking more like a lawyer.

Q: Why did you feel you had to write this book?

This book was necessary because many books were on the market giving case law summaries but none were on the market giving real analytical questions to show parents how they can use the legal decisions for their situation. This was important to me because every time I speak at a parent workshop, parents always want to know how can a legal case be used in their situation. I recognized very early on that parents needed a better toolkit. Also, research was conducted that showed
approximately 55% of parents represent themselves in litigation against a school district, while 100% of school districts are represented by an attorney.

Since only about 10% of the unrepresented parents won their cases, this seemed to be a necessary book to write.

Q: Now, some fun questions - What deep dark secret would you like to share with us?

None

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Mozambique. I plan to go there in two years when I turn 40. White sand, clear water, and blue skies. Only other thing I will need is a drink (or more).

Q: Are you a morning person or a night person?

Morning. My eyes goes down with the sun.

Q: Are there any members in your family who also like to write?

No, which is probably why they’re so intrigued by my enjoyment of writing.

Q: As a child, were you a dreamer?

Yes! I used to daydream all the time about all kinds of things to do and places to go. I still do but now I put it on a vision board.

Q: Last but not least, the magic genie has granted you one wish. What would
that be?

To be anywhere I needed to be with a snap of my fingers. That way, I don’t have to worry about traffic, flights, or anything else.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview! Do you have any final words?

Dream big and plan well.

# Interviews

Monday, November 25, 2019

TETRASTATUM Book Trailer #booktrailer

thewriterslife November 25, 2019 0 Comments

inside the book

Title: TETRASTATUM
Author: Dr. Richard & Tim Smith
Publisher: Epigraph Publishing
Pages: 300
Genre: Time Travel Thriller

In their debut novel TETRASTATUM, authors Dr. Richard and Tim Smith combine heady concepts about the universe with a thrilling science fiction story about the search for a new kind of time travel. The result is a stunning mixture of dense cosmology and old-fashioned storytelling that will appeal to a wide readership, from science professionals to lay fans of science fiction.

“Dr. Richard” and “Tim Smith” are the pseudonyms of Dr. Richard Connor and Marcus Rodriguez, respectively.

“TETRASTATUM (‘the fourth state’) is the culmination of my 30 years working in the field of photonics,” Dr. Richard says. “I am an avid reader of sci-fi, and I wanted to create a new type of work that is both educational and entertaining in the genre. TETRASTATUM gives the reader a unique understanding of the existing laws of physics and extends them to provoke further thought from novice readers as well as advanced experts in the field.”

Kirkus Reviews notes that “authors Dr. Richard and Smith … tell their cerebral story with a heady mix of dense theory and absurdist humor.”

The Independent Review of Books declares: “TETRASTATUM is like nothing you have ever read before. This is an impressive work of science fiction …”

The San Francisco Book Review adds that, “These recurring themes of characterization and distortion feed into the concern that is being voiced over the current state of our political climate…The layering of these themes is ultimately what gives TETRASTATUM a relevance that will keep readers turning pages and asking questions.”

“The book ultimately explains how human perceptions alter the future and puts forth a model based on quantum physics to explain ‘reality’,” Dr. Richard continues. He calls science fiction “the perfect genre to explore socio-political ideas within the context of futuristic technologies and scientific theories.”

Dr. Richard and Smith are currently working with Norith Soth on adapting TETRASTATUM into a screenplay. Mr. Soth has penned work for Justin Lin (“Fast and Furious”), Stephen Chin (“War Dogs”), and Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”).

order your copy below

Amazon → https://tinyurl.com/y6tlmpbj

_____________________

meet the author

Dr. Richard has been involved in the field of Photonics for over 30 years. He received his BA in physics (honors) from the University of California Fullerton. He was in a full scholarship PhD program in physics at the University of California Irvine and a PhD program in philosophy at Claremont Graduate School. Dr. Richard completed his two dissertations (involving human interpretations of laser and electro-optical images) while under top secret clearance. He also has an advanced placement teaching credential, an advanced certification (from the University of Wisconsin) in laser and optical design; and other advanced certifications in fiber optics, computer programming, technology business development, financial products, dance, anatomy and physiology.

website & social links

WEBSITE → https://www.tetrastatum.com

TWITTER → https://twitter.com/DrRichard_ISTAR

FACEBOOK → https://www.facebook.com/istarsfx

# Book Video Teasers

Thursday, November 21, 2019

# 5 Things You Might Not Know by TG Wolff @tg_wolff #5Things

thewriterslife November 21, 2019 0 Comments

TG Wolff writes thrillers and mysteries that play within the gray area between good and bad, right and wrong. Cause and effect drive the stories, drawing from 20+ years’ experience in Civil Engineering, where “cause” is more often a symptom of a bigger, more challenging problem. Diverse characters mirror the complexities of real life and real people, balanced with a healthy dose of entertainment. TG Wolff holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

★ WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS: ★

Website → www.tgwolff.com

Twitter → @tg_wolff

Facebook → www.Facebook.com/tina.wolff.125

1) Diamonds are millions of years old. Diamonds are made when carbon, subjected to incredibly high temperatures and pressures, grows crystals. Naturally, this happens at depths of 100 miles or more into the Earth. Diamonds have reportedly been dated between one billion and three billion years old. Diamond is also the name of the kick-ass lead of Widow’s Run.

2) Quinoa is a plant that, not surprisingly, has leaves and seeds, which are also called quinoa. It has been cultivated for over five-thousand years and traces back to Andes Mountains of South America and the current day countries of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile. The part we commonly eat, the seed, is highly nutritious, providing a better balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates as well as a source of key minerals compared to other crops. Diamond’s husband, Gavrill Rubchisky, was working with the quinoa plant as a solution to world hunger when he was struck by a car and killed at an agriculture conference in Rome.

3) There are no meatballs in Rome. As it turns out, meatballs are an American thing. If you find meatballs in a restaurant in Rome, don’t eat there. It’s a tourist trap. Spaghetti, however, is everywhere. And, as Diamond notes in the story, the streets of Rome are laid out as though a Roman god dropped a handful on the landscape. This makes for some excellent chase scenes.

4) Buttercup is a jackass. A jackass, also known as a mule, is a mix between a female horse and a male donkey. They are strong, highly intelligent animals, and are normally sterile, having an odd number of chromosomes. Diamond’s leading suspect is a rancher who wants to sell Gavriil’s research to the highest bidder. She travels to Oklahoma to have a little conversation the two-legged breed of the animal.

5) Widow’s Run is an unapologetically, fast-paced mystery/thriller. There is no deep seeded meaning here. Get your favorite beverage, put up your feet, and fasten your seatbelts. You’re in for one hell of a ride.

inside the book

Title: WIDOW’S RUN
Author: TG Wolff
Publisher: Down & Out Books
Pages: 236
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

BOOK BLURB:

order your copy below

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2NgYhGg

# 5 Things You Should Know

Monday, November 18, 2019

20 Questions with William M. Hayes @wmhayes_author #20Questions

thewriterslife November 18, 2019 0 Comments

William M. Hayes lives with his beautiful family in a small suburb in New York. His passion for writing became apparent in his twenties, and he dreams of retiring to a secluded beach house where he can write all day.

website & social links

Website → www.williammhayes.com

Twitter → https://twitter.com/WMHayes_Author

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/WilliamMHayesAuthor/

Title: SAVE HIM
Author: William M. Hayes
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 245
Genre: Military Faith-based Thriller

Rydel Scott, a brilliant scientist working at a secret military lab, accidentally discovers a form of time travel while working on a project designed to save wounded soldiers in the field. Rydel’s sister, a woman of faith, tells Rydel on her deathbed that she has received a message from God. The message—save Jesus Christ from the cross.

And Rydel Scott travels back in time to do just that.

It is believed even the smallest change to the past can cause catastrophic repercussions for future generations. An elite military unit is sent back in time to hunt Rydel down before he can alter history and possibly kill millions in the process.

The unit and its commanding officers, Colonel John Adams and Unit Commander Ray Catlin, become divided. Catlin, a devout Catholic, claims he witnessed a miracle by Jesus upon arrival in Jerusalem and fervently believes in Rydel’s mission. Adams hasn’t believed in God since he was a boy and his only concern is the safety of the people in the present. They must now choose between the fate of Christ and the fate of present-day mankind.

They must decide if they will Save Him.

1. Are you a morning writer or a night writer? Night.

2. Do you outline or are you a pantster? Outline.

3. Which comes first – plot or character? Plot.

4. Noise or quiet when working on your manuscript? Either one.

5. Favorite TV show? Scooby-Doo.

6. Favorite type of music? All kinds.

7. Favorite craft besides writing? Weekly workout regimen.

8. Do you play a musical instrument? Nope.

9. Single or married? Married.

10. Children or no? A son.
11. Pets? Yes, a dog.
12. Favorite place to write? Man cave.
13. Favorite restaurant? Italian. Always looking for my next favorite.
14. Do you work outside the home? Yes.
15. What was the name of the last movie you saw? In a movie theater? That would be Toy Story 4.
16. Favorite outdoor activity? Just hanging around the fire pit at night with a big-ass fire burning.
17. Pet peeve? Bad Italian food.
18. Your goal in life? I don't have one specific goal to accomplish in life; I have many.
19. Your most exciting moment? My son being born.
20. The love of your life? Wife and son.

# 20 Questions

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Lustily Ever After Book Trailer #booktrailer

thewriterslife November 14, 2019 0 Comments

Inside the Book

Combining a titillating collection of romance tropes, LUSTILY EVER AFTER: THE AUDIOBOOK MUSICAL, created and composed by Stephanie Bentley, and performed by a multitalented musical cast from the Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade, makes a surprising and innovative contribution to the audiobook listening experience. With 20 original songs inspired by ’90s pop music and a spicy story penned by erotica ghostwriter Miranda Ray at its core, the musical parody pushes the limits of sexual innuendo right to the edge before tipping over into the throws of uproarious ridiculousness.

When sassy Raleigh Jackson interviews for a six-week contract to be the fake girlfriend of Trystan Lay—schmillioniare playboy, politician, ex-Navy Seal, songwriter/astronaut, and “the world’s most perfect human”—she knows the outcome will change her life.

A student/waitress/intern living with her obligatory best friend, Kim, Raleigh overcomes her medical condition—chronic clumsiness—and snags the job, thus beginning a whirlwind of extravagant travel and glitzy events.

LUSTILY EVER AFTER: THE AUDIOBOOK MUSICAL covers the span of romance novel clichés from the brooding playboy to the fake romance with sprinkles of paranormal love. The story is sultry, silly, snarky—and hilarious. Chapter titles are sung in harmonies invoking the R&B group En Vogue. The characters voice their own dialogue and routinely burst into song, as they fumble through pillow talk, and relive steamy memories in songs such as “Talkin’ Dirty” and “50 Shades of Lay.”

The creator’s inspiration for LUSTILY EVER AFTER: THE AUDIOBOOK MUSICAL came from her unusual day job. “I’m a romance audiobook narrator by day and a musical theater performer by night. Every day in the booth, I giggle at the same tropes coming up again and again. Then these song lyrics just started coming to me, “The models in my bed don’t keep me warm at night,” for example. I started writing and pretty soon, the whole musical just came tumbling out!”

LUSTILY EVER AFTER: THE AUDIOBOOK MUSICAL has an e-book companion containing the story and all of the lyrics, and there may be plans for a sequel: “I thought we had hit most of the tropes, but now I realize we may have only just begun,” Stephanie says.

Book Info:
Audiobook, $6.95; 2 hours 37 minutes; ISBN: 978-1089023753
E-book, $2.99; 104 pages
Publication date: August 2019
Published by Stephanie Bentley

★★★★★ORDER YOUR COPY★★★★★

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2VA47Fw

_____________________

Meet the Author

Stephanie Bentley is the creator and composer of Lustily Ever After: The Audiobook Musical, a funny, sexy love story inspired by romantic fiction and ’90s pop music. Stephanie is a musical theater/musical improv comedy performer and audiobook narrator with experience acting in television and film. She studied improv at Upright Citizens Brigade and has performed all over Los Angeles and New York.

Stephanie and her cast are available for live performances of pieces from the book.

Listen to a sample of the audiobook here: https://www.lustilyeverafter.com.

# Book Video Teasers

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

5 Things You Should Know About Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries by Mike Martin @mike54martin #5Things

thewriterslife November 12, 2019 0 Comments

Mike Martin was born in Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. The Walker on the Cape was his first full fiction book and the premiere of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series. Other books in the series include The Body on the T, Beneath the Surface, A Twist of Fortune and A Long Ways from Home, which was shortlisted for the Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award as the best light mystery of the year. A Tangled Web was released in 2017 and the newest book in the series.is Darkest Before the Dawn which won the Bony Blithe Award in 2019. A new book in the series, Fire, Fog and Water is being released in October.

Mike is currently Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers.

website & social links

Website → www.sgtwindflowermysteries.com

Twitter Link: → http://ww.twitter.com/mike54martin

Facebook→https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore/

1. It’s about Christmas. The most magical, wonderful time of the year. If you like Christmas, you’ll love this book.

2. There are great characters from the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. See your favorite people in a whole new light as they move from police work to finding joy and bringing it to other people.

3. The stories are set in Newfoundland, on the easternmost tip of Canada.

4. You can help relive your own childhood and your own Christmas. Maybe be inspired to write about your own memories.

5. This is a pleasant and comforting read. No bad word and not bad people, just individuals and a community coming together to create a great Christmas for everyone.

inside the book

Title: CHRISTMAS IN NEWFOUNDLAND: MEMORIES AND MYSTERIES
Author: Mike Martin
Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing
Pages: 113
Genre: Mystery/Memoir

From the author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries comes “Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries,” a welcome addition to the Sgt. Windflower family of books.

Christmas in Newfoundland is a special time. In the depths of long winter nights memories are made and stories are told. Of Christmas by candlelight and horse and buggy rides to church. Of shopping on Water Street in St. John’s before malls and the Internet.

In later years, Sgt. Windflower came to work and then to stay in the quiet town of Grand Bank by the Atlantic Ocean where the salt air froze in the wind and the Mounties were welcomed to warm themselves by every fire.

Come and warm yourself by the fire and hear their stories. Some memories and some mysteries. Enjoy some holiday time with Sgt. Windflower and all the familiar characters that you’d come to know and love. Good food, good friends and always another chair at the table.