Sunday 15 December 2013

Christmas Reads

Looking for something to read during the festive season...

FREE TO DOWNLOAD ON SMASHWORDS

AWORLD OF JOY (short stories brought together with something for all ages including Mason and Bess at Christmas)

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/383338

Cover for 'A World of Joy'

AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON:

Children's Series, Mason and Bess

Book 1  http://viewbook.at/B00BS4VI0I



Book 2 http://viewbook.at/B00CX6UTP0



Book 3 http://amzn.to/IqfrNf http://amzn.to/1hmO31t  




Other books written by this author for young adults and adults can be found at :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diane-Major/e/B008R5S3KO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1387119024&sr=1-2-ent


http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Major/e/B008R5S3KO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_14?qid=1387119124&sr=8-14






Friday 6 December 2013

A Big Welcome to the very talented author, S L Wallace!


A big welcome to author, S L Wallace



Book Title: Dante's Day Off

 



 

Page Count: 21

ASIN: B00FYCP48W

Genre: literary fiction

Cost: $0.99


Author Page link: http://slwallace.com/


Can you tell me something about yourself?

Let's see, what to share today? I'm a writer, mother and teacher. I recently took an online quiz that told me my aura is blue, and I have to say, the description of blues reminded me strongly of, well, me! I love animals and animals love me, but I tend to kill plants, even though I try my best to keep them alive.

That’s interesting, I love animals.

So, what inspired you to write?

I don't usually remember my dreams, but when I do, they are often quite inspiring. When I wake up thinking, "Yeah, I'd totally watch that if it were a movie," I know I have a winner! In addition to dreams, I also pull inspiration from current events, memories of personal experiences, and emotions.

Who are you favourite authors?

Neil Gaiman, Patrick Ness, Harper Lee

Can you tell me something about your latest book?

My latest is a short story that was inspired by a news article I read last summer. Apparently, technology has caught up to modern medicine, and head transplants are seriously possible. I decided to write about it from the perspective of a guy who thinks that is possibly the coolest thing ever. But often, real life just doesn't live up to our expectations.

Too true.

How long did it take you to write it?

‘Dante's Day Off’ is a short story, so it didn't take me very long to write it. Editing took longer because you don't want to use too many extra words in a short story. You want to get your ideas across as succinctly as possible. So I was inspired in early July, finished writing the story by the end of the summer, sent it off to a bunch of beta readers, and continued editing while beginning the school year. (I'm a full time Montessori teacher in an upper elementary classroom.) This story was published in mid-October.

It sounds like you are kept seriously busy, Sarah.

Can you tell us anything else about the writing process, do you have a set time for writing, did you do any research, or anything else of interest that was involved?

I like to take my time with the writing process, but I also get the itch to write frequently. I get fidgety if a week goes by with no time for writing or editing my stories or blog posts. At that point, I'll take writing over sleep.

My stories progress at their own pace. Word count and publication deadlines tend to be set by the stories themselves. For example, I began my first novel, Price of a Bounty (Reliance on Citizens Makes Us Great), thinking the idea would make a great short story or perhaps a novella. By the time I got around to researching novella contest deadlines, the story was already too long to be entered as a novella. And then I realized that I actually had three story arcs within the main story arc, so it became a trilogy. Unfortunately, for those readers who are looking for more of Keira, Guy, April, Scott or any of the other characters I grew to love, their story is complete. Maybe someday down the line I'll be inspired to write a spin off, but for now, I have no plans to add more to the Reliance on Citizens books. For me, editing takes longer than writing. I'll go over my stories again and again before sending them off to a slew of beta readers. Then I have to wait for suggestions to come rolling in. And then it's back to editing until I'm satisfied. As many authors will tell you, even after my books have been published, I'm not always satisfied. Every so often, I'll update them, but the changes at that point are always minor.

As for research, that also depends upon the story. I did the most research for Retrospection which is a paranormal historical fiction novella. I made sure my facts were straight for every historical time period and place that Claire and Jhidhai visited. Even the overlying part of that story set in Chicago is based on personal memories backed up by research. And Dante's Day Off required some research too. I read about the science and medicine behind head transplants and also learned quite a bit about locations in Rome.

What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished your book?

My hope is to entertain while encouraging readers to think deep thoughts. I can say that about every book I've published to date. If a reader is still thinking about some of the ideas I've presented a few days or even weeks after they've read my book, then I have succeeded.

WILL YOU GIVE READERS AN INTERESTING EXCERPT FROM YOUR BOOK, DANTE’S DAY OFF:

Pietro snipped the last thread and stepped back. “Well, that's it. Now we wait.” He glanced at the observation window where his beautiful raven haired cousin, Natalia, stood watching.

A grueling 36 hours after they had begun, the surgery was complete. Sergio’s heartbeat was strong and his breathing regular, but his eyes remained closed.

 

Pietro’s team remained in their last positions. Some leaned against counters, while a few sat right on the hard tile floor, watching and waiting.

 

Twenty minutes later, Sergio’s eyes opened for just a moment. “Did it work?” he asked, before falling back asleep.

 

Oh my, this brings the whole story flooding back, and reminds me just how much I enjoyed it, when I read it!

Any other links of interest:

My blog about current events and human interest stories: http://crossroadsofhumanity.blogspot.com/

My Indie Horizon column at InGenre where I review Indie sci fi, fantasy, and horror, as well as interviewing the authors. New posts the first Monday of every month: http://ingenre.com/category/ccontent/indie-horizon/

A big thank you, Sarah L Wallace. This has been a pleasure as well as a very interesting interview. 

For my readers, I can confirm that I thoroughly enjoyed the two books that I have read by this talented author.

Friday 29 November 2013

NEW RELEASE! MASON & BESS, A DIFFERENT ADVENTURE

MASON AND BESS, A DIFFERENT ADVENTURE

This is Book 3 in the Children's Book Series...

UK: http://amzn.to/IqfrNf

US: http://amzn.to/1hmO31t 

 Mason and Bess, A Different Adventure

Queen Anna has gone missing, but where can she be? Can Mason and Bess succeed in finding the Queen? Is the dragon, named Shirker, a friend or foe? A magical story about friendship for children to enjoy.
 
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES...
 
BOOK 1 : Mason and Bess, The Adventure Begins
 
 
Product Details
 
Mason lives with his Mom, and their cocker spaniel named Bess. The little family live in a small town and Mason attends the local school. Without his Mom's permission, Mason takes part in the annual Sports Day. Mason's actions trigger a series of events which will dramatically change their future...
 
BOOK 2 : Mason and Bess, The Adventure Continues
 
 
Product Details
 
Queen Anna of Sanctea has a dream. The Queen is surprised to see Katie, a child who lives on Earth. A vortex suddenly opens and takes Katie to a different world. The Queen soon realises that this is no ordinary dream. Something has really happened to the child.
It is time to plan a mission. Katie must be found! It is Mason and Bess who are sent on this quest…

Friday 8 November 2013

Children's Books for Christmas...

MASON AND BESS, THE ADVENTURE BEGINS...

Product Details


Mason lives with his Mom, and their cocker spaniel named Bess. The little family live in a small town and Mason attends the local school. Without his Mom’s permission, Mason takes part in the annual Sports Day. Mason’s actions trigger a series of events which will dramatically change their future…


MASON AND BESS, THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES...

Product Details



Queen Anna of Sanctea has a dream. The Queen is surprised to see Katie, a child who lives on Earth. A vortex suddenly opens and takes Katie to a different world. The Queen soon realises that this is no ordinary dream. Something has really happened to the child. It is time to plan a mission. Katie must be found! It is Mason and Bess who are sent on this quest…

COMING SOON

MASON & BESS, A DIFFERENT ADVENTURE

Queen Anna has gone missing, but where can she be? Can Mason and Bess find the Queen. Is the dragon, named Shirker, a friend or foe. A magical story about friendship for children to enjoy!
 

 


Saturday 5 October 2013

Monday 30 September 2013

NEW RELEASE: A VERY COMPLICATED MOLECULE!!!

It's here, MY NEW NOVEL, Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Murder...

A VERY COMPLICATED MOLECULE


When Ben Taylor, a detective in London, wakes up with no knowledge of whom he is, where he is, or how he arrived at his destination, this story begins to unravel.  This man has been an unfortunate victim of a gang incident and his lover Lydia wants to save him, but will they all have a price to pay?

 
A VERY COMPLICATED MOLECULE

US: http://www.amazon.com/A-VERY-COMPLICATED-MOLECULE-ebook/dp/B00FF56MTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380525778&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Very+Complicated+Molecule

 

ENJOY!!!

Sunday 25 August 2013

A VERY COMPLICATED MOLECULE - HERE ON MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 !!!

A VERY COMPLICATED MOLECULE - HERE ON MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 !!!



When Ben Taylor, a detective in London, wakes up with no knowledge of whom he is, where he is, or how he arrived at his destination, this story begins to unravel.  This man has been an unfortunate victim of a gang incident and his lover Lydia wants to save him, but will they all have a price to pay?
Romance, Crime, Thriller, Action ...


Friday 7 June 2013

NEW BOOK: FLINT AND AMORPHOUS

Sci Fi for Young Adults!


FLINT & AMORPHOUS - IT'S ARRIVED!!!



Looking for Science Fiction, Adventure, Space, Spaceships, an Alien, Love and a fight for freedom? This could be one for you!

 



Thursday 23 May 2013

It's here Book 2 in the Children's Series, Mason and Bess....


Mason and Bess The Adventure Continues

http://viewbook.at/B00CX6UTP0


Queen Anna of Sanctea has a dream. The Queen is surprised to see Katie, a child who lives on Earth. A vortex suddenly opens and takes Katie to a different world. The Queen soon realises that this is no ordinary dream. Something has really happened to the child. It is time to plan a mission. Katie must be found! It is Mason and Bess who are sent on this quest…

Monday 20 May 2013

Coming on the 24 May 2013


MASON AND BESS, THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES, BOOK 2 IN THE CHILDREN'S BOOK SERIES...



 
 

AND IN JUNE 2013 FOR YOUNG ADULTS...

 

 
 

Sunday 5 May 2013

Coming Soon...

Coming soon,


A Sci Fi/Fantasy Adventure for Young Adults.

 

Artwork by Shannon McRoberts



Wednesday 24 April 2013

Fascinating interview with Barbara Ann Mojica!


I would like to introduce you all to the talented Barbara Ann Mojica, read on…


Title:                     Little Miss History Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE

Author:                                Barbara Ann Mojica

Page Count:       36

ISBN:                     978-0-9885030-0-7

Genre:                  children's non-fiction

Cost:                      $13.95 US

Product Details




Can you tell me something about yourself?

I am a historian and retired educator living in New York State in the United States. I hold a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in History. I spent more than 40 years teaching in New York City and possess  New York State teacher certifications in Elementary, Special Education, and Administration. I also spent several years as a Special Education Administrator and principal of a special education preschool for developmentally delayed children.  Although retired from teaching,  I am staying busy: along with my forthcoming series of  Little Miss HISTORY travel books I write historical pieces for The Columbia Insider, Pat Fisher and Ed Pollack Editors, under the banner “Passages”.  In addition I review children's books on my blog twice weekly.  Marrying my love of history and teaching, I hope that my Little Miss HISTORY character will inspire children to learn about historical people, and visit landmarks such as the one covered in this book, Mount Rushmore.

I have read your reviews and am very impressed.     

What inspired you to write?

Now that I am retired from teaching and administration, I have the time to go back to researching and writing, which I have always loved. In college and graduate school I majored in history and English so I've spent a lot of time researching and writing ; I got back to that by writing historical pieces. My career focused on a love of teaching and children so I thought, “Why not write for children?”  A new core curriculum recently adopted here in the US now emphasizes the use of non-fiction over fiction in the classroom. I thought why not introduce a whimsical character to make learning history fun. That is how Little Miss HISTORY popped into my mind. As you might have guessed, she is largely autobiographical.

Yes, I have read your  book and can see how attractive it would be to children.

Who are you favourite authors?

My favourite authors for adult literature are Stephen King, James Patterson, John Grisham and Pearl S. Buck. In the field of children's literature, I love all the classic books in the Golden Book series. Some of my favourite authors are Jan Pfloog, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, Donald Crews, Don Freeman and Eve Bunting.

Can you tell me something about your latest book?

Little Miss History Travels to Mount Rushmore is the first in a series of  books using the Little Miss History character as a guide. She looks like a wannabe park ranger with pig tails and hiking boots three sizes too big. With her as a guide learning about people and places of historical importance will be fun and educational. I have already written four more books in the series. The second book taking her to The Statue of Liberty is currently being illustrated and will be available in a couple of months.

Sounds like another interesting read.

 How long did it take you to write it?

It takes about two months for each book. I reread and revise the manuscript several times before it is illustrated. If needed, I revise my work as new material or developments occur.

Can you tell us something about the writing process, do you have a set time for writing, did you do any research or anything else of interest that was involved?

I am always working on my next adult historical article for the biweekly news magazine. My blog goes online on Wednesdays and Sundays so I am reading and reviewing children's books for that. Typically I start each day by answering email, phone calls, and using social media for marketing and promotion. The rest of the day is spent researching, reviewing books, writing and/or editing. I consult with my husband, who is also my illustrator and publisher. There is no set order of doing things, but I do like to keep way ahead of deadlines.

What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished your book.

I want children to be inspired to learn about historic people, places and events, but more importantly to have fun while they are doing that!  Adult reviewers have told me that they wished they had books like this when they were in school. Children love the fact that it is a picture book with a character with whom they identify. Maybe they will convince their parents and/or teachers to journey with them to visit some of these sites as well.

Fun is very important.

WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE US AN  INTERESTING PARAGRAPH OR TWO FROM BOOK?

When you travel to Mount Rushmore you will see the heads of four of our most famous presidents carved into the granite rocks of the Black Hills of South Dakota. They are from left to right: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Today more than 3 million people visit Mount Rushmore each year. The face of Jefferson was planned for Washington's right side, but the rock was poor so they had to dynamite it and carve a new face on Washington's left side. The carvings are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall. Each eye is 11 feet across! The presidents' noses are 20 feet long! Their mouths are 18 feet wide!  Every worker had to climb 506 steps to the top of Mount Rushmore each day. More than 800 million pounds of stone were taken away. Most of it was removed by dynamiting the rock. No one died during the whole time of construction. That is an amazing record!

 

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my story with your readers today, Diane.

And thank you Barbara for giving us an insight into your work.

Any other links of interest:

My website:       http://www.littlemisshistory.com

My blog:              http://bamauthor.wordpress.com

Twitter:                                https://twitter.com/bamauthor


LinkedIn               http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top




Pinterest             http://pinterest.com/bamauthor/
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.cohttp://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Ann-Mojica/e/B00B9DOVKC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1359994773&sr=1-2-ent

Wednesday 17 April 2013

The very first interview with talented Teresa Joseph Franklin, read on...


A very warm welcome to the very talented author, Teresa Joseph Franklin. This is her first ever interview, read on…

HEARTFELT BARING ALL (VOLUME)


Title: Heartfelt Baring All, Volume One. An anthology of poems

Volumes 2 and 3 will be published later this year and into 2014

Author: Teresa Joseph Franklin

Page Count: 40 pages

ISBN: ASIN B00CA6QUR4

Genre: Various poems on different subjects/topics for example ‘New Beginnings’

Cost: $7.99 and £5.37



Can you tell me something about yourself?

I am a mum to three grown sons, not quite yet a grandma, but would love to be one day.

My real name is Helen Moule, oh dear the cat is out of the bag! And adopted the name Teresa Joseph Franklin in honour of my mum Helen Teresa Nelson, Joseph is my grandfather’s name and Franklin is my father’s name. They have and will always have a great bearing with all my work as a writer and author, must be something in the genes because at times I do not know where the words come. But I know that they were accomplished writers in their own right in their days gone by.

I have to say both your real name and adopted name are very attractive.

Divorced and loving the single life once again I can pursue a career as a poetry writer and novelist. I won’t give my age away (hehe a woman’s prerogative). Also, I am currently studying with the Open University as a part-time student, working my way to a BA (Honours) in Business Studies which is two thirds of the way through.  I cannot wait to get that all important Certificate at the Degree ceremony in 2017/18. Yes a long way off it may seem, but taking a look back where has the three years gone since I started?

Well it seems we have something in common. I studied with the Open University and loved every moment of it (I smile!)

What inspired you to write?

It has been more who has inspired me to write! I was once in a poetry group with some friends who wrote their own poems, then along came my thoughts and feelings on how to write poetry, even though it was rudimentary and not perfect like my friends were and still are. But I supposed they inspired me from day one with my very first poem entitled ‘Forever Friends’ way back in February 2012.

Not so very long ago in real terms.

Who are you favourite authors?

One of my greatest and favourite authors is John Grisham, in real life he is an American Lawyer and most of his novels such as the ‘Street Lawyer’ and ‘The Firm’ they are gripping novels and I like the way he weaves the plots into the story lines and keeps you gripped right to the end of the book. Also another novelist that I really like reading is Ian Rankin yet again set against the back drop of legal dramas in and around Edinburgh. You can probably guess I like Legal novels by now

Can you tell me something about your latest book?

My very first novel is called ‘Break a Leg’ which I am still working on and working through. It is all about putting a concert on stage. The main story line or lines are going to be about the people who are involved in producing it, say for example the lighting director, musical director, stage hands, props, costumes, oh and just a snippet body guards as well. But ‘Heartfelt Baring All’ the anthology of poems which will be published in a total of 3 volumes tells its own story of life through time and space.

Oh my, a poet as well.

Wow! How long did it take you to write it?

‘Heartfelt Baring All’ – it has taken in total just over the 6 months to write the poems.

Can you tell us something about the writing process, do you have a set time for writing, and did you do any research or anything else of interest that was involved?

Writing ‘Heartfelt Baring All’ has been written in my spare time. Well, when I have not been studying. There has been no research with the Anthology, they have been written purely from life experiences, situations and circumstances.

Break a Leg, I do try to set aside the whole weekend to write, but sometimes other things can get in the way especially if there is deadline to be met with submitting poems to a publisher or studying. There is a lot of research that needs to be done and has been done so far on the novel. It needs to be researched just in case there is, or will be someone reading and saying ‘that is not right’. For example I have a plot in the book where a Lawyer is involved in trying to find out what is happening with the funding , so there is a great deal of research that needs to be absolutely spot on.

I do know the feeling that things get in the way when you are trying to write, it’s usually life in general for me.

What do you think readers will come away with when they have finished your book?

I am hoping that they are going to ask ‘where is the sequel?’ As I have ideas already for one

Oh, good luck with writing a sequel.

WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE US AN INTERESTING PARAGRAPH OR TWO FROM BOOK?

The morning song birds have sung their songs, the dawn chorus, all ready for their day’s busy lives, flying here and there. Catching the first moth, bug or butterfly for their own breakfasts, stretching their wings whilst flying high on the lightest of breeze in the skies first light, colours wondrous, red, orange, yellow, with the glint of the skies blue hue. Nothing breaks their silent world, except for the chirping to each other. It is their time where the other world is silent and still; no hazards, no perils, except for the felines that are still out and about, stalking for their last prey before going home and sleeping the day away, ready and waiting for the next prowl at midnight.

Jelena now feels as if what she is proposing to do with Danny and Gordon might now be the best course of action. But the pair of them are up to something they looked too cosy in that theatre. She wants to get to the bottom and find out. Her gut feeling is telling her something is not right as per usual, and as for Gordon oh yes he has changed and not for the better. The guy she once knew has gone out of her life but not out of sight or mind right now, no stirrings of once was that has been dealt with. This Gordon well maybe just maybe get the Private Investigator and not let anyone know what she is up to.

Is there anything else of interest you would like to share with us?

To conclude I have listed the nominations and awards that I have won with my poetry since February 2012 below with the relevant website links. The title of the book is listed first and the poem that won the nomination is in italics, followed by the date awarded

What Lies Within. A Collection of Poetry – ‘I Stand My Ground’ 2nd July 2012

Into the Shadows. A Collection of Poetry – ‘Your Worst Nightmare’ 2nd January 2013

End of Days. A Collection of Poetry – ‘Our World’ 14th January 2013

Forward Poetry, Remus House, Peterborough – www.forwardpoetry.co.uk

The UK Poetry Library’s Top Writers of 2012 – ‘Quiet Space’ 16th August 2012

The UK Poetry Library, Manchester, UK – www.poetrylibrary.co

 Through The Eyes of a Poet – ‘The Music Washing Over Me’ 9th October 2012

Ten Of The Best Poets Of 2013 -Top Ten Poets of 2013 - There are 20 poems that have been chosen for the inclusion. Far too many to list but here is one of them being ‘A Dream Unfolding’ 23rd January 2013

United Press Limited, Admail, London EC1B 1JB – www.unitedpress.co.uk

 International Who’s Who in Poetry 2012 – ‘Sucking the Life’ 18th October 2012

International Who’s who in Poetry, 4470 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles USA

Best Poets And Poems Of 2012 – Featured Poet – ‘Are We So Blind’ 20th January 2012

World Poetry Movement, 1776 Park Avenue , Suite 4-176, Park City, UT 84060 USA

A foot note to all my fellow poets, keep plugging away the rewards are out there for grabbing. I kept plugging away with poetry competitions across the UK and USA. And now the Poetry Publishers come looking for me!

Well thank you so much for this very fascinating insight into your writing career to date and good luck with your future ventures.