Scent of the Roses by P.G. Forte - Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Scent of the Roses

Oberon, book 1

by P.G. Forte

For years, Scout Patterson has tried to run from the mistakes in her past. Now Scout is going home to face the ghosts she has never laid to rest, and find the love she thought she d lost forever. 

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A Sense of Place

Guest Post by P.G. Forte 

It seems like I’ve been in love with California for most of my life. Something about the sun-drenched mystique of it appealed to me from a very young age.  It’s not perfect, of course. No place is. But that’s one of the nice things about writing fiction. It gives you the opportunity to improve on reality and create a world that’s better than real life.

I’d been living in California for about thirteen years when I first got the idea for the Oberon series. Northern California, Southern California, Central Coast—I’d lived in and loved them all; and so I had a very clear idea about what kind of atmosphere I wanted for Oberon. 

I wanted it to have the laid-back, beachy feel of the South combined with the new age inventiveness of the North tempered by the slightly-buzzed, wine country charm of the Central Coast. I wanted to give it cool foggy mornings, warm sunny days and bright starry nights. I wanted rolling hills and winding roads all leading to a quaint little village perched atop sheer, coastal cliffs.  And above all else I wanted it to have a hint of magic—or maybe more than a hint.

See, I knew the town itself would play a very important part in the series, and that was never just because of its physical location. There’s a paranormal component to the series that needed to be made manifest in the town of Oberon as well. 

I did have a bit of an advantage going in.  After all, the west has always had certain, rather specific, mystic properties in most mythic traditions—going all the way back to the ancient Egyptians who placed the “land of the dead” on the western banks of the Nile. In Celtic mythology, Tírna nÓg, the ‘land of the young’ was said to be located on a series of islands in the western sea. So by simply locating Oberon on the West Coast, I figured I was already ahead of the game, already tapping into the Collective Unconscious.

I didn’t just leave it at that, however. I also added in elements of Earth Magic and drew from a wide range of spiritual traditions, both old and new, to create a location that was steeped in mysticism. Not that everyone in Oberon believes in that kind of nonsense. Yes, I populated the town with witches and wizards, empaths and channels, psychics, and shamans, even a ghost or three; but there are also quite a few “normal” folks thrown into the mix, as well as a healthy group of skeptics. The town needs them. They provide grounding.

The Oberon I ended up creating is a very special place. It’s reminiscent of many of the towns I’ve lived in or visited, but it’s also taken on a life of its own.  Every now and then I’ll pass a place in real life that reminds me so strongly of some feature that exists in Oberon that I’ll be amazed by the resemblance.  Until I remember why it seems so familiar.  That’s usually because it’s a place I’d borrowed and improved on for my own vision of the perfect, quintessential California town. Somehow, my make-believe version has become so real to me that it often seems like life is imitating art, rather than the other way around.  I guess that’s the real magic of fiction. 

Find out more at PGForte.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.

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Never Doubt the Power of Social Media - Gregory G. Allen, author of Chicken Boy - Kindle Fire Giveaway

Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero with Autism by Gregory G. Allen
March 7, 2012 by MeeGenius

"I have a superhero inside my head. I call him Chicken Boy" proclaims our hero.

What others may see as odd "quirks", a child living with autism explains as all a part of his being a superhero. Told in the first person perspective, Chicken Boy offers a small glimpse into the mind of one child who wants others to understand they shouldn't fear someone simply because that person is a little different.

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Never Doubt Power of Social Media

by Gregory G. Allen 

To say I owe much to social media for the publication of my children's book would be an understatement. But let me just give a little backstory first on how Chicken Boy was born.

The story was based on my ten year old godson who I spend every Wed. night with going to his favorite restaurant with his mother and sister. Because of him, I became much more aware of autism over the years. His sister and I started making up a story one night about our little 'superhero' and that grew into this book. It was important for me to tell it from the child's perspective and I'm so aware this is but one story (one small story) on the large line that is autism. Yet it still felt important for me to share it.

After writing it, a friend told me about the MeeGenius author challenge and I joined 400 other manuscripts that were entered last fall. I had no idea what I was in store for. All the stories were put up online and the next thing I knew, it became a contest for votes. I only know so many people in the world, but boy did they work hard to spread the word. Before I knew it, I was getting wonderful comments all through the voting process with the MeeGenius Author Challenge from people in the autism community that read the story. It was sometimes overwhelming and yet humbling to hear how the story was touching all of these people…these strangers.

People tweeted about the book to get votes. Strangers. Famous people. Autism organizations. It was an incredible feeling. And then the winners were announced and the book won because of social media. Winning the People's Choice Award came with publication of the digital book by MeeGenius, a $1500 prize and a library of the MeeGenius books being donated to my godson's school in New Jersey in the US. 

So many people were asking me if they could get the book in print, I knew it was important to do just that. So I went to an indie publisher (who has published my adult books), took my prize money and used it to get the illustrations and layout design fixed to create a 32 page picture book that I could hand over to this publisher (as they had yet to go down the road of publishing children's books). But now I can give readers the choice between digital and print. And I'm so grateful to MeeGenius for the social media platform they gave me during the voting to come in contact with so many autism organizations. I dubbed my friends #TeamChickenBoy as they took to social media and were able to make contact with so many wonderful people.

About the author:
Gregory G. Allen was raised in Texas, but now calls New Jersey home. His mother (an avid reader) passed on the love of written words to Gregory. He is an award-winning author & composer, a playwright, and manages an arts center on a college campus. He has had several short stories published, a musical theater writer with over ten original musicals produced, and contributes articles and blogs to online sources.

Find out more at Gregory-G-Allen.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.

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Dementional by Tonya Cannariato - Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Dementional
by Tonya Cannariato
August 23, 2012
Katarr Kanticles Press

Mark Inman has two loves: particle physics and Sarah. She agrees to become his wife at the same time his experiment to find the Higgs boson goes off the rails.

Journey with Mark while his existence melts and reforms in unpredictable ways as the veils between realities thin. His exploration of the minutiae of quantum physics builds a fascinating tapestry of alternate universes.

His search for survival, and the search for meaning and what is real, drive Mark as he experiences lives he never dreamed possible. His only touchstones: find Sarah and find his way home.

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Is an ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure? Which is more valuable? Why do you feel this way?

by Tonya Cannariato 

I'm introducing Mark Inman, the particle physicist protagonist of Dementional. 

From the character’s perspective

As a scientist, I try to design experiments that follow the medical doctor's creed of “do no harm”; it fits with my pacifist inclinations. This, despite the fact that I'm employed by the Pentagon. However, I chose to work for that organization on the understanding that there is a strong argument to be made for the fact that a strong defense diminishes the need for countries to go on offensive adventures, so I'm doing what I can to help make sure the US maintains its security. My fascination with sub-atomic particles has led me to extend the experimentation around the recent discovery of the Higgs Boson as a way of establishing a dark matter shield that would be nearly impossible to break, given the unpredictable nature of quantum interactions.

The problem is, being too cautious doesn't get you to the cutting edge of discovery, while being too blasé regarding unintended consequences leads to the kind of disaster documented in the book about me, Dementional. 

Ultimately, from the perspective of scientific inquiry into the nature of soul and what it means to understand yourself as a distinct individual, the experiment that led to my dislocation in spacetime was a radical success. From the perspective of duplication of my experience, I would argue there couldn't be strong enough safeguards in place to prevent random, accidental dislocations that could have the unintended consequence of driving a nation mad. I'm still not sure whether my travels were more mental than physical—and I'm also willing to suspend scientific inquiry into what I went through, in the hopes that I've rediscovered my equilibrium.

About the author:

A voracious reader since she was a toddler, and an ordained spiritualist, Tonya Cannariato has now presided over the marriage of her love of reading and her love of writing. She’s lived a nomadic life, following first her parents in their Foreign Service career through Africa, Europe, and Asia, and then her own nose criss-crossing America as she’s gotten old enough to make those choices for herself. She’s currently based in Milwaukee with her three loves: her husband and two Siberian Huskies. She suspects her Huskies of mystical alchemy with their joyous liberation of her muse and other magical beings for her inspiration. She loves to sleep, to watch her interesting dreams, some of which are now finding new life in written form. 

Find out more about Tonya on her website, Twitter, and Facebook. 

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Writing From a Child's Point of View - K.G. Wehner - Kindle Fire Giveaway

Dr. Von Thistle's Curious Concoction: The Miss-Adventures of Amy & Tracy
by K.G. Wehner

It’s 1958. Eleven-year-old cousins Amy and Tracy Cimino are burdened by pounding drums only they can hear. Amy feels it’s linked to her recent nightmare. Although Amy often has dreams that come true, Tracy isn’t worried. She’s much too busy coming up with a talent she can showcase on a popular radio show.

When a well-known scientist shows up at their mothers’ big gala, all their guests are smitten with him. Except Amy, who feels he is the man in her nightmare. Tracy thinks Amy is making a big deal out of nothing. What would a famous scientist want with ordinary ol’ them?

Except Amy and Tracy are anything but ordinary. They can speak with each other telepathically. And while Amy predicts the future through dreams, Tracy discovers she has her own amazing talent…one she can’t share with the world. In trying to escape the evil scientist who is intent on kidnapping them, they find time portals that send Amy to the future while Tracy becomes stuck in the past.

Amy’s nightmare does seem to be coming true after all. Can they escape the evil scientist once and for all, or might they be trapped in different time periods separated from each other forever?

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Writing from a Child’s Point of View

by K.G. Wehner

When my sister and I were four and five respectively, we morphed into characters we named Amy and Tracy, even invented their history. Thanks to our mother allowing us to watch a movie where a person is swallowed by quicksand, Tracy’s mother met the same fate. Amy’s mother died from a heart attack walking in a forest. The motherless girls were sent to an orphanage and adopted by abusive parents. Finally, after being returned to the orphanage for noncompliance, both girls found a home with two rich sisters who lived together in a mansion. (Years later my mother admitted feeling concerned that we killed off our characters’ mothers and pretended that their adopted mothers treated them cruelly. She was relieved to know we didn’t need therapy.)

Since my sister and I were not up on American history as youngsters, we placed Amy and Tracy in the 1400’s, living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (much to my Cousin Helen’s amusement). Their fathers were Vikings, we decided. That’s why they were never around. (No wonder their mothers were rich…all the pilfered gold and jewels!)

Of course, when I wrote my book many years later, I had to be historically accurate. I decided to use the year 1958. That way the characters could travel back or forward in time, and I could sneak a little history into the storyline. Other than that, I tried to keep the story as organic and honest to our childhood stories as possible.

I thought I’d managed to do it, but when I paid to have an agent critique my first ten pages at a writer’s conference, he said, “Your child characters sound too adult, and I can’t differentiate Amy from Tracy. They sound like the same person.”

That was my first of many “aha” moments. He was right. The kids spoke too formally. They were too similar. I spent the next few years learning how to be a child again. I gave my characters distinctive personalities. Tracy is the dreamer: impulsive, imaginative, and a little bit sloppy. Amy is the thinker: a planner, likes things tidy, and follows through on the goals she sets for herself. Together, they can solve any problem.

Being an adult means being creative in a different way. I have to invent ways to get my kids to finish their carrots and devise clever methods to make brushing teeth and putting on pajamas fun. I still have to think like a kid, but I do it in spurts. When it comes to writing a story from a child’s point of view, I have to dig deep into my memory to find the child inside of me that longs for adventures. I think that’s what I like about writing for kids. I can return to that place where I felt the most happy, loved, and secure. I can relive the days when my sister and I would pretend to be two adopted kids, every possibility a road leading to who knew where, every day a fresh opportunity for imagination. 

Connect with K.G. Wehner on Twitter and Facebook.

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Nate Rocks the Boat by Karen Pokras Toz - Character Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Nate Rocks the Boat
by Karen Pokras Toz
Grand Daisy Press
April 20, 2012

The Adventure Continues...With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister. When his best friend, Tommy, decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks. Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and again from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals. Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back.

See my review of Nate Rocks the Boat. 

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What Would I Change About My Story
Character Guest Post from Nate
by Karen Pokras Toz

My author, Karen Pokras Toz, has asked me to pick one thing to change about my story, Nate Rocks the Boat. But honestly, there are just too many things to pick from.  It’s not that I don’t like my story – I do. It’s just that, there are some things in there that I could definitely do without – let’s go down the list: 

1.     Lisa Crane. Was it really necessary to bring my Mom’s best friend’s annoying daughter into the story again? Wasn’t it bad enough that she was in the first book, Nate Rocks the World? Not only that, but you had her come to my going away party where she causes me both physical harm and emotional distress. Yeah – not happy about that one. At least you didn’t have her tag along with me to summer camp, but as long as we’re on the topic ... 

2.     Abby. Yup – you know what I’m talking about. You made my know-it-all whiny older sister go to the same overnight summer camp as me. Talk about mean! Why couldn’t she have just stayed home with Lisa Crane? Ever since the horseshoe incident at my party, they’ve practically been best friends. They would have had a great summer together. Instead, I got stuck with Abby. Thanks. 

3.     Camp.  Now overall, I have to admit I had a great summer. But there were a few things I could have done without – kickball games, color war, and no-neck to name a few.

But just so you don’t think I’m a totally ungrateful ten-year-old, I do want to thank you for sending Tommy along with me – plus the food was really good. Oh and can we talk about Bobino for a minute? He totally rocks! Confused? Well get yourself a copy of Nate Rocks the Boat and see for yourself! 

About the author:

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen lives in Montgomery County, PA with her husband and three children.   

You can find out more about Karen Pokras Toz and how to connect with her on her website. 

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Pegasus by Marilyn Holdsworth - Kindle Fire Giveaway

Pegasus 
by Marilyn Holdsworth

Widowed at thirty, Hannah Bradley is a successful journalist focusing on animal abuse issues. An accidental meeting introduces her to lawyer, Winston Caughfield III. Drawn to Hannah’s gentle beauty and fierce commitment to her work, Win joins her in a fight to save wild mustangs from slaughter.

Together they rescue a badly injured horse with a mysterious background. Hannah’s search to discover the animal’s true identity leads them into a web of black marketeering and international intrigue. Action packed with crisp colorful dialogue the story propels the reader to a race against time conclusion. Marilyn Holdsworth delivers a gripping tale of mystery, adventure and romance guaranteed to hold the interest and capture the heart. She brings true-life characters together with real-life issues to create a fast-paced irresistible story.

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About the author:

Marilyn Holdsworth graduated from Occidental College, where she majored in literature and history. She has traveled extensively in France and currently is a Huntington Library Fellow. Marilyn is a descendant of James Monroe, has visited Monroe's Virginia residence, and conducted research at the James Monroe Museum. She currently lives in Southern California.

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The Beautiful American by Marilyn Holdsworth - Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

The Beautiful American
by Marilyn Holdsworth

Abby Long is thrilled when she offers the winning bid for an antique desk at an auction. With its intricately inlaid woods and elegant style, the desk is perfect for Abby; it is the gift she promised herself to finally celebrate her thriving antique business. She has no idea that the antique desk holds a secret that will lead her on a fascinating, life-changing journey back in time.

When Abby discovers a hidden diary stuffed inside a secret compartment in the desk, she can hardly wait to read the spidery, faded script. As she carefully turns the tattered pages, she reads the captivating story of two remarkable women from opposite backgrounds who somehow manage to form an unforgettable bond against the backdrop of a fledgling America struggling to find its place in the world. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, the wife of James Monroe, and Jasmine, a young slave girl, develop an extraordinary relationship as they are united by pivotal historic events, political intrigues, and personal tragedies.

From a bucolic Virginia plantation to the bloodied, starving streets of post-revolutionary Paris, this powerful tale follows the lives of two courageous women from the past as they quietly influence—and inspire—a woman of today’s world. 

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Many Authors See Marketing as a Bind
Guest Post by Marilyn Holdsworth

Many authors see marketing as a bind. I believe that for a true artist, anything that takes time away from her art, in this case, creative writing, is lost time. That said, if she wants to become known as an author, she must take some time to promote her books. There is nothing that can substitute for personal involvement in the marketing. No one else has the intimate knowledge of her work needed to make a promotion successful. This is not to say she should not hire professional publicists, web designers and others to help. Indeed this is to be encouraged to the extent the budget permits. However, the author must maintain final say before any program is launched. It is important for authors to use all the media at their disposal. That includes email campaigns to properly targeted readers, radio interviews, book fairs, book signings, giveaways, direct advertising in newspapers and appropriate magazines.

In today's world, coverage in the social network is essential. Authors must use the social network judiciously, not merely as a forum to promote their books. They need to join groups, contribute to conversations and offer help and advice to others. It is important to select groups that will relate well to the author's topic. For instance, if she has written a horse story, she joins groups that favor horses. Find authors whose work you like and offer to review their books. Many times they will reciprocate. It is important to obtain as many review as possible.

While marketing is not what I love to do, I have learned that it is vital to a book's success, and for us indie authors, that means a lot of hard work. 

About the author:

Marilyn Holdsworth graduated from Occidental College, where she majored in literature and history. She has traveled extensively in France and currently is a Huntington Library Fellow. Marilyn is a descendant of James Monroe, has visited Monroe's Virginia residence, and conducted research at the James Monroe Museum. She currently lives in Southern California.

Connect with Marilyn on Facebook. 
 

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A World Without Books - Hillary E. Peak, author of Wings of Hope - Kindle Fire Giveaway

A World Without Books...
Guest Post by Hillary E. Peak

A world without books is a world without possibility.  It is a world with limits.  It is a sad and friendless place.  For books to me are friends, endless possibilities and worlds that I never knew existed.

I cannot imagine a world where I cannot read a book.  I would be lost, alone and scared.  Books have guided me forever.  They have given me information, fun, laughter and tears.  Many of the books I’ve read have stayed with me.  I can still shed tears for the dogs lost in Where the Red Fern Grows.  I can remember coming out of my bedroom at about four in the morning sobbing after finishing Love Story.

My childhood world involved going to visit Narnia, talking to trees, finding treasures, walking in witch’s boots and solving all sorts of mysteries.  I learned about the world through books.  Books gave me the chance to meet new people and be inspired by their greatness, like Winston Churchill or Helen Keller.  Lessons of hardship in the frontier or the loss of loved ones to the evils of this world made me aware of how great freedom really is.

The classics were thrilling to me when I was in high school.  I fell in love with Gatsby.  I longed for the romance of Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice.  In my books I traveled to far away placed, visited strange lands and got a view into time periods of time.

Books have made traveling a breeze for me.  I’m actually excited to get to sit in an airport and read a great book.  A great story is a place to go and a time for me to explore something, somewhere or someone new.

A world without books?  For me, I think that really might be my worst nightmare.

About the book:
Wings of Hope
by Hillary E. Peak

The bond of a father and daughter is special. When Jules father asks her to come be stay with him because he's terminally ill, she goes for the remarkable opportunity to really know her father. She never dreamed he had liberated a concentration camp, dealt cards to Bugsy Siegel or saved the life of a Black Panther. Wings of Hope takes you on a road trip through the memories of a man making peace with his life through his conversations with his daughter. Teaching her that death is sometimes the most heartbreakingly beautiful part of life. 

Hope is the last gift of a father to his daughter--the power to reach for her dreams.  

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About the author:

Hillary Peak is an author (but government lawyer by day).

She is a recovering idealist. She became a lawyer to change the world and is still somewhat shocked that didn’t occur. Now, her goal is to retire from practicing law and write novels that people love.

She started with topics she knew–shared experiences of hating her job, searching for something more meaningful and losing a loved one.

She is moving on to writing legal thrillers. Her first one will be out before the end of 2012.

Find out more at HillaryEPeak.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.

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Water by Terra Harmony - Guest Post on Elements and Characters in the Series & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Water by Terra Harmony
The Akasha Series, Book 1

Elemental powers in the palm of her hand...and it won't be enough to save her. When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth's survival.

Note: This novel contains sexual situations, some non-consensual, and is for mature readers only. 

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(At the time of this post, Water is currently FREE on both Smashwords and Amazon!)

Four Elements and Characters
Guest Post by Terra Harmony

In the Akasha Series, my characters possess abilities with the four classical elements of water, air, earth, and fire. I know what you're probably thinking: 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'. 

You're right…sort of. But instead of tween martial arts masters, think of hippies, in a cult-like environment who use their powers to provide balance to Earth's ecosystems. 

I love the idea of elemental powers. Combining them with wiccan traditions, a paranormal romance, eco-friendly tips, and an antagonist that readers love to hate has led to one awesome writing adventure. The possibilities really are endless when it comes to the elements. Each element has its own personality, and represents different characteristics, seasons, colors, and directions of the compass. Pitting them against each other makes for a great battle scene, but when they combine forces and work together, it is pure magic.

The fifth element, what some call spirit, aether, or Akasha, is the prime element present in all things. It connects and balances all the elements together, allowing them to exist. Throughout my series, the characters begin to seek Akasha. They learn that the only way to achieve Akasha is to perfect self-balance.

Along the way, we meet important characters called Elementals, who specialize in just one of the elements. Below is a description of each; which one best represents you as a person?

Earth: The earth element is the most dependable, steady and practical. Earth magic operates at a slower rate, but it is more likely to persist and endure. The Earth elements represents North, the color green, midnight, and winter. It signifies stability, order, birth and death, and fertility. 

Air: Air expands your consciousness and represents truth. It is also associated with thought and language, the breath of life. The Air element represents East, the color yellow, mornings, and spring. It signifies intellect, reason, science, and youth. 

Water:  Water elementals can be described as timid and shy, though some of the most dangerous natural disasters are water based. The water element represents West, the color blue, twilight and autumn. It represents emotion, intuition, healing, and wisdom. 

Fire:  Fire is the purest element in the sense it cannot be polluted – though it depends on other elements to exist. The fire element represents South, the color red, noon, and summer. It represents strength, passion, energy, and transformation. 

In reality, we don’t have to be blessed with elemental powers to make a difference, though how cool would that be? If given the choice, I’d go with fire (even despite my first name). I am a Leo after all! Leave a comment with your element of choice and tell us why!

About the Author

Terra is author of the Akasha Series, a set of four contemporary eco-fantasy novels. 'Water' and 'Air' are available as e-books, and 'Fire' is due to release in October 2012. 

Terra was born and raised in Colorado but has since lived in California, Texas, Utah, North Carolina and Virginia. Terra has served a 5½ year enlistment in the Marine Corp, has earned her bachelor's and master's degree and presently runs the language services division of a small business.

Terra currently lives in a suburb of Washington, DC with her husband of 13 years and three children. 

Find out more on Terra's site, Twitter, and Facebook. 

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Life in Death by Harlow Drake - Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Life in Death 
by Harlow Drake

When a girl that social worker Kari Marchant places in foster care is brutally murdered, she’s compelled to learn why. Her quest for the truth pits her against friends and coworkers. As Kari works to solve the horrific plot, more people die. She’s been targeted for death and she doesn’t even know it. How far should she go to learn the truth—even if it threatens her life?

When homicide detective Rance Nicolet meets Kari, his attraction to her is powerful—and the feeling is mutual. But things between them go terribly wrong when Kari’s old lover is found murdered with a letter from her in his pocket. The evidence against Kari is damning. Rance’s personal and professional lives collide. Does he blindly believe the woman he’s falling in love with or follow the evidence no matter where it leads?

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Do you have recurring dreams?  If so, what are they about?  Do you think these dreams have any significance in your waking life? (From the author's perspective)

Guest Post by Harlow Drake 

Yes, over the years, I’ve been plagued by the same two dreams:

In Dream 1, I’m at a dinner party with friends when my teeth start to fall out. No one notices at first as I nonchalantly hide my discarded teeth in my napkin. Then my teeth start falling out in rapid succession making clinking noises as they hit my dinner plate. Everyone notices and someone screams. I wake up.

In Dream 2, I’m in high school rummaging through my locker when I notice everyone pointing and laughing at me. I look down and realize I’m as naked as a jaybird and am mortified. I run down the hall covering my naughty parts as best I can. I wake up.

I consulted some dream interpretation websites and found that both of these dreams are common.

Dream 1 is about my anxieties surrounding getting older and feelings of unattractiveness.

Dream 2 is about me hiding something and fear that someone will find out what it is.

Dreams help us better understand ourselves. If I dream my teeth are falling out, I know it’s because I’m grappling with getting older and not feeling as attractive as I was when I was younger. If I dream I’m naked, I know it’s because I’m feeling vulnerable and exposed in some way. These are things I have to deal with in my waking life so as not to have these feelings manifest themselves in dreams.

Elias Canetti said, “All the things one has forgotten scream for help in dreams.”

I believe that. 

Connect with Harlow at HarlowDrake.com and on Twitter.

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Song of the Fairy Queen by Valerie Douglas - Kindle Fire Giveaway

Song of the Fairy Queen
by Valerie Douglas

It's said of Fairy that if you're in dire need and you call their name they'll come.

With his castle under siege and young son in his arms, High King Oryan couldn't be in more dire need. With only his High Marshal, Morgan, and a handful of Morgan's men at his back, he has only one direction left to run...up. 

And only one ally to whom he can turn. Kyriay, the Queen of the Fairy. 

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The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands - Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

The Bridge Club
by Patricia Sands

For more than forty years, the mantra of the eight women in the Bridge Club has been one for all and all for one. Beginning their monthly soiree in the psychedelic Sixties, unpredicted twists of fate weave through the good times and strong friendship they share as the years pass. The constant from one decade to the next is loyal and nonjudgmental support, even when agreeing to disagree is the final solution. From the exhilarating cultural changes of their early times together through the zoomer years, their connection never falters.

As they celebrate turning sixty (give or take a year) at a group birthday weekend, each woman recalls a challenging time in her life when the Bridge Club came to the rescue.After tossing around ideas mixed with a generous helping of common sense and a large dose of laughter they decide to refer to that time as their SOS. Eight chapters document each one's story.

Everything is put into perspective and the strength of their friendship is truly tested when one of these women faces a life-altering decision. Her choice profoundly affects all members of the group, pushing the limits of their beliefs and values. The unique alliance they share is confronted with a crisis none of them might have imagined.

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Many Authors See Marketing as a Bind. What Are Your Thoughts?
Guest Post by Patricia Sands

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig.

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig!

For some bizarre reason, often when I get into a discussion about book marketing with someone, that childhood rhyme runs through my mind. I really don’t think it has anything to do with the subject and I’m not even sure why I shared that with you now. Never mind!

I think becoming aware of book marketing demands is one of the biggest shocks to a newly published author. We tend to think that once our book is written and out there, our work is over. Not so! In fact, the hard labour has only just begun.

This particularly rings true for independently published (indie) authors although many writers published through traditional avenues also are finding they are responsible for assisting in marketing more than ever. This is one reason why some traditionally published authors are now taking matters into their own hands and “going indie”. If they have to do all the other promotional work, they might as well reap the benefits of higher royalties and be in complete command of all decisions, without a publisher.

My experience with marketing The Bridge Club has involved an enormous learning curve. As a newcomer to the publishing world there was, and still is, much for me to learn. The biggest bonus for me has been meeting a group of amazing writers through an online blogging course. We bonded in a remarkable way and have continued through the past year to share experiences and strategies. Thirty heads working together are far better than one!

The best advice I can offer is to look at the online writing community and find a group that sounds like a good fit for you. I cannot stress enough how supportive, talented and helpful you will find most of the people involved in the world of writing.

The basic starting point is to join Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter and also establish a blog and website. Most writers today offer their work as an e-book as well as in print and there are many excellent sites on which to promote your work. Listing your e-book on Amazon Kindle Direct is a must.

Shameless self-promotion seems to be a necessary part of a writer’s personality with business cards and promotional postcards or bookmarks showing your published information an absolute must in your purse, pocket or computer bag. Hand them out at every opportunity and don’t be shy!

Blog tours and promotional programs such as this fabulous Orangeberry Summer Splash are wonderful ways to spread the word about your work. They also offer great opportunities to meet and connect with other writers and that brings us full circle to my suggestion that this kind of networking is of immense value. 

I would be happy to share other websites and links that I have found to be helpful in developing marketing opportunities. Please feel free to contact me through any of my links shared through the Summer Splash. Writers helping writers is what it’s all about!

About the author:
Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada and has degrees from the University of Waterloo and York University. With a happily blended family of seven adult children and, at last count, six grandchildren, life is full and time is short. Beginning with her first Kodak Brownie camera at the age of six, she has told stories all of her life through photography. Much to her surprise a few years ago, she began to write and her debut novel The Bridge Club has just been published through iUniverse. Currently at work on her second novel, Patricia admits the writing muse has possessed her and looks forward to a long and satisfying career as an author. She is particularly drawn to the rewarding friendships of women and the challenges many embrace once their families are grown. "It's never too late to begin something new," she enthuses. "As the saying goes, just do it!" 
  
Find out more at PatriciaSandsAuthor.com. 

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