Wednesday, August 14, 2013
CFBA: Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ABOUT THE BOOK
Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery
Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.
Soon, financial irregularities at Drew's stepfather's company come to light and it's clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this game.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Rules of Murder, go HERE.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Upcoming Product & Show Reviews
Things have been crazy around here, so I haven't reviewed many products lately. Here is what's coming up soon.
- Arthur Stands Up to Bullying (DVD from PBS Kids)
- Super Why! Hansel and Gretel: A Healthy Adventure (DVD from PBS Kids)
- NatureBox snacks
- Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Tall sneakers
- Scott Naturals paper towels
Teaser Tuesdays - August 13th
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. How could everything she'd held onto slip through her fingers so quickly?
~ Location 2771 of 4536 from A Heart Deceived by Michelle Griep
Book Spotlight: Vinland Viking: An Original Saga by Gary L. Doman
The novella Vinland Viking is an epic fantasy-adventure, set at the time of the conversion to Christianity of Iceland and Greenland, about a young Northman who longs to lead the storied life of the pagan Vikings. His opportunity comes with Leif Ericsson's exploration in North America, but his fortunes change in a way and by a means that he could never have anticipated, and which will thrill the reader.
The richly-textured narrative incorporates history, nature, and mythology, along with plenty of action. It is told from a Christian viewpoint, but can be enjoyed by a general audience, and, unlike so many other fiction stories, is acceptable reading for the young.
Read an excerpt:
The pressing situation to which he was being called was the gathering of ugly weather off the Greenland coast. Hoping to outrun the oncoming storm front back to Vinland, or at least to somewhere they could find shelter from the inclemency, Brand-Yngar directed that the prisoners be rounded up and secured, the knorr put in tow, and the Kraken be made ready to sail due south.
The homeward voyage began in the Davis Strait, to the west of the settlements on Greenland. The southerly Labrador Current certainly had the potential to carry them away, even without the help of oar and sail, but it bowed to the superior force of the rising winds that were already wrecking the knorr. Now gales, they wrenched the Kraken off her course and gave her quite a different heading; the crewmen could not even tell how far they'd been diverted. When they weren't cowering, they were praying to Thor for their deliverance, bailing rainwater and seawater out of the vessel, or saving each other from being washed over the sides.
Brand-Yngar stood resolute as captain. Through his decision not to try to reach land immediately, he had saved the drakkar from the very worst of the storm; now, he had to guide them through its area of lesser strength to wherever it should capriciously deposit them.
The tempest poured and blustered for hours, driving the dragon ship as a godling might play with a bath toy. Finally it blew the Kraken onto a shore. Yet more time passed before the severity tempered enough locally so that anyone could move about on land; in the meantime, the occupants of the humbled watercraft huddled under the cover of their awning, peeping forebodingly at their unintentional port of call.
Gary L. Doman, whose (pen-)surname rhymes with "roman", the French word for "novel", was born in Syracuse (New York) and has spent the majority of his life in Connecticut. He has degrees from Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut. He has developed an interest in just about everything, especially history, geography, religion, language, and the natural world. He began writing as a child and has never really stopped, although he does periodically need to eat and sleep, and also devotes considerable time to his other creative and intellectual endeavors; these include his "weblog" the Doman Domain and one of the items of interest found there, namely, "The Best Comic Strip Ever!". Further, he has taught himself to sing and founded his own political philosophy. His greatest accomplishment may be remaining humble despite the preceding!
Visit Gary online at http://domandomain.blogspot.com/
Vinland Viking Tour Schedule
Monday, August 5th
Book review at The Book Connection
Tuesday, August 6th
Guest post at Literarily Speaking
Wednesday, August 7th
Interview at Blogcritics
Thursday, August 8th
Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner
Friday, August 9th
Guest post and giveaway at The Busy Mom’s Daily
Monday, August 12th
Interview at Between the Covers
Tuesday, August 13th
Guest post for Cheryl’s Christian Book Connection
Wednesday, August 14th
Guest post at The Story Behind the Book
Thursday, August 15th
Book review at A Year of Jubilee Reviews
Friday, August 16th
Book spotlight at The Writer’s Life
Book spotlight at 4 the Love of Books
Monday, August 19th
Interview at As the Pages Turn
Tuesday, August 20th
Book review at Vic’s Media Room
Wednesday, August 21st
Interview at Examiner
Thursday, August 22nd
Book spotlight at My Devotional Thoughts
Friday, August 23rd
Book review at Found A Christian by His Grace
Monday, August 26th
Book spotlight at Review from Here
Wednesday, August 28th
Interview at Broowaha
Friday, August 30th
Interview at Pump Up Your Book
Book review at Blooming with Books
Monday, August 12, 2013
New from Pelican Book Group: The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots! by Karla Akins
Pastor’s wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls.
Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most women over forty, but she’s not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie’s ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed…and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth.
Join Kirstie and her motorcycle “gang”—two church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member—as they discover that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.
Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Harbourlight Books (August 8, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611162823
ISBN-13: 978-1611162820
Available in paperback and digital formats
PURCHASE AT PELICAN BOOK GROUP OR AMAZON!
Guest Blogger: Diana Strickland, Author of LIFE
LIFE, is a poetry book of 50 poems about my life's journey as a Christian woman going through one of the most life changing experiences. I began to write this book while being homeless, living in a shelter, and continuing to go through as a woman of God. My book is about overcoming life's struggles. And God has defined what I went through with the title, LIFE. Keeping that relationship with Jesus.
Book Excerpt
CROSSROADS
YOUR PAST IS YOUR PRESENT
Your Past Is Your Present
don’t bring up what you did
but your present speaks loud and clear
what you use to do is what you do
you haven’t matured
my mom once said
there’s nothing like an old fool
Your Past Is Your Present
singing the same tune
this man hurt you
like the last one did
the tears even fall the same
you have no sympathy here
you haven’t learned a thing
Your Past Is Your Present
drama mama
confusion and strife
up and through your life
you can’t sit down
your world is crazy
and it’s been that way for years
Tips for First Time Authors by Diana Strickland
CONNECT WITH GOD
Before I make any moves I connect with God. With God comes inspiration and direction. Being connected to God motivates you and takes you to wonderful places that you didn’t have planned for yourself. He’s the author and finisher of our faith. So GO QUICKLY to God before you make any and all decisions. Jesus is our source, judge, provider, protector, and strength. You want to be in God’s will to make the right decisions and travel on the right path. You don’t want your journey to be in vain. You want to be effective so when it’s all said and done you have something meaningful to deliver.
PEN AND PAPER
Always have a pen and paper on ready. It’s so important to write down your thoughts before you forget them and regret it. I particularly like to use a journal, but almost anything will do. I’ve been known to use lipstick, a marker, and any scrap paper to write down my thoughts. At a pulse I will write on the palm of my hand or pull over in my car to write because the thoughts would come so rapidly. What I know to be true is that inspiration can come at any time and you want to be ready. Be prepared and diligent in all matters.
SHARE YOUR HARD WORK WITH THE WORLD
USE the resources around you. You shouldn’t allow lack of finances to stop your journey. Now, you may have to place some things on pause, but you better get back in this race and complete your mission. There’s someone out there that will need to hear your story. Time is of the essence and we don’t have much of it. When I wrote both books I completed my writing and publishing on someone else’s computer including the local library. When it was time for me to publish my book I searched out the publisher that would represent me well. I decided to self-publish my latest book because I wanted to have more control. When it was time to share my work with the world I had to use the resources around me to complete this dream. My first professional photos came from a local photographer at some market. I wore my Sunday best outfit and struck a pose like I was at a photo shoot. I had to work with what I had. I must say that it was worth every penny. When it was time to create a website for my books I went with a website company that was free. I also use social media such as Facebook to make people aware of my newest accomplishments. Use your computer wisely. Search for companies that will allow you to create business cards and post cards at a reasonable price. Please have a budget. You do not want to overspend. Maybe you have to purchase your business cards one week and in two weeks you have to purchase your post cards.
I’ve also learned that your past employer can help you. You learned something where you use to work. If you were a telemarketer in the past, then you have experience to do calls. So when your book is finished you are not afraid to pick up that phone and make necessary phone calls to individuals. I have a background in Property Management and hospitality so I know how to market and sell and speak to people. I learned at these jobs how to make follow up phone calls, how to create flyers, and how to hand them out to complete strangers. See life is full of lessons. You just have to be open to draw from all of your life’s experiences and apply them today. There’s no rush to perfection.
STAY FOCUSED AND HUMBLED
To stay focused I usually like to take a nice walk or run at a park or around the neighborhood. This is stress free and really gives me a peace of mind. I like to drink a lot of water and eat healthier. You know this is like being in a race. To be the best you have to do the best. I like to take time in prayer and meditation. I enjoy being quiet. You know being quiet and staying still is just as important as moving. There’s a season for everything and sometimes there are seasons when you are doing. When you are doing God’s will everything serves a purpose. There is a time for it all. I believe that you have to cut out a lot of TV and socializing. You have to make a lot of sacrifices to get to where you need to go.
This road that you travel is not a road that everyone travels. Stay humbled! At the end of it all when you are connected to JESUS everything will fall into place. You will have a lot of dots connected. You will meet people that will help you. You will meet the right publisher. You will be directed to the right book store to sell your books. Everything will work out for your good.
Diana was born in Birmingham Alabama and now reside in New Jersey. New Jersey has been my home for 9 years. She is an author of two published poetry books, Mercies Of God, and LIFE. She is also the author of the ministry website Believer To Believer. Diana is currently employed seeking to be in ministry full time in the near future. She is a student at Abundant Life Bible Institute to obtain my Associates degree in Theology. She also ministers my poetry at various events and aspiring to do much more. She rededicated her life to Christ the year of 2005 when she was going through her divorce. She is a committed Christian serving God being led by the Holy Spirit. She hopes to inspire her environment and pray that many will come to Christ Jesus.
Connect with the Author
Email Address: authordianastrickland@aol.com
Website www.authordianastrickland.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/dianastrickland
Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/authordiana
Website www.authordianastrickland.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/dianastrickland
Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/authordiana
Trailer: http://youtu.be/R92aL0fZBgo
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