Allbooks Review JAN. 2013 Newsletter Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com MAY 2013 BE YOUR BEST YEAR YET ! Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service.Great coverage for your book for twelve months +.Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50.U.S Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us by email marketingallbooks@aol.com SUCCESS STORIES Congratulations to Shirley A. Roe. Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour is now available in ebook, and print (kindle edition): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KWEX02 FEATURE: Authors Are Retailers Too! On Taylor Swift, Perfume, and Your Book By Carolyn Howard-Johnson I can’t tell you how often I’ve thanked my lucky stars for my retail experience now I’m an author. My husband used to say (Ahem!) “Retail is 90% attention to detail!” If he’s right—and he always is—then the other 10% is marketing. To reinterpret this, you need a great product—that’s the attention to detail part. For authors the product is our book or books. But all the detail, developing of craft or anything else—all that other stuff we’ve poured our little detail-oriented hearts into—goes for naught if we don’t do the marketing. So how does Taylor Swift fit into this? Well, the LA Times reports on her products (the way she is branding herself which is part of marketing). She has a signature fragrance, a poster by Peter Max (That’s Peter-the-Greatest-Artist-Marketer-Of-All-Time-After-Warhol!), a back to school package, a limited edition combo of a CD single and a souvenir T-shirt, headbands, a songbook, a tin box of guitar picks, boxed greeting cards, a keychain, and a journal. Yes, I’m out of breath! So, we can learn a lot from her about branding, a big part of marketing. Each of these products fits with her image. But we can also learn that we just need to do it. Your book proposal, as an example, might include a list of products (other than your book) that could be spun off from your book. Taylor’s journal idea is a good one for memoirists. T-shirts work for just about everyone. But each author’s list of possibilities will be different, just as the list would differ for different businesses on Main Street USA. Back in the days when I was in retailing, one of our stores was in Palm Springs and we had adorable little souvenir pin boxes made with “Carlan’s, Palm Springs” and palm trees hand painted on them. They worked because they were more personal and specific than the usual souvenir with only “Palm Springs” machine stamped on them. My poetry partner Magdalena Ball and I might someday have art posters of the covers of our poetry chapbook series featuring our collaborating artists Jacquie Schmall, Vicki Thomas, and May Lattanzio. Framed, of course! Learn more about how we promote that series (including a special holiday card offer for the Christmas chapbook) at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm. So, what do you do with your product idea? Well, the obvious first choice would be to get a manufacturer with a HUGE customer base to make your product; they, in turn, get their sales representatives to sell them to retailers who then sell them to the general public. But what if you're eager to get started now? Try these ideas. Use your books or spin-off products as thank you gifts. Use your books or spin-off products as souvenirs or parts of promotions like gift baskets or contests. Use your spin-off products as walking, talking advertisements. As an example, every time someone compliments you on your rose-scented cologne, that's an opportunity to mention your romance novel and maybe give them a bookmark. Your T-shirts are walking billboards. So are your totes. Use your books or spin-off products as part of the media kits you leave in the press rooms at tradeshows. Use your books or spin-off products as an integral part of parties and events you plan, like a store opening or a book launch. Offer your books or spin-off products to charities for their drawings or other fundraisers. So, put your thinking cap on. What kind of a “Seller” can you be? What fits withyour title—whatever that is? ---- Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (now in an updated and expanded second edition!), www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo. Also part of the HowToDoItFrugally series is the booklet The Great First Impression Book Proposal booklet, www.budurl.com/BookProposals, that helps authors convince agents or publishers of their understanding of spin-offs, retailing, and marketing in general. She also is the author of a series of books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Events (www.budurl.com/RetailersGuide). Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) John Scherber San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Eden Lost, Sam Miguel Allende Books 2012. Tell us about yourself: I am an American expat who has lived in central Mexico for five years. I am the author of a nonfiction book on the expat experience titled San Miguel de Allende: A Place in the Heart, as well as a series of ten mysteries set in Mexico. I also have two thrillers and two vampire tales/ When was the book released?: August, 2012 Give us an overview of your book. I think of it as psychological horror. There is some gore, but no chainsaws. What happens when a good man gradually has very certainty removed from his life, all the things he ever believed in, the things that made him the person he thought he was. To me, that is real horror, when you are wrong about everything you trust. What inspired you to write this book? I always wanted to try this genre, but it wasn’t until I felt I really understood horror that tried it. How is your book different from other books in this genre? I believe it is. I purposely read no other horror books before I started because I didn’t want to copy what anyone else was doing, Where can people buy your book? Amazon Kindle and B & N Nook Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? The tenth of my mysteries is coming out December 1. Then I have a murder on the Nile book titled The Amarna Heresy coming out in the spring. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? I got an agent almost immediately when I started the mysteries and after five years he had sold nothing. Reluctantly, I decided to self-publish because I wanted to find an audience. I hated the thought of learning publishing and promotion, but that’s what is required. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I began blogging about Mexico lifestyles and the writing life. This is my platform. My blogs were picked up by various small Mexico expat websites and so I approached Mexconnect, which is the largest of the online magazines about Mexico. Now I’m a regular feature writer for them and they have a monthly traffic of 500,000. At the bottom of each article I write is a link to my website. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I saw a reference to it online and I’m hoping, as always, to find more potential readers. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The cost is certainly moderate. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. Our full author promotional package is only $49.95. This includes a review, interview and 12 months internet circulation of the review with purchase links on various websites. We review both print and ebooks for traditionally published and self- published authors. Also editing, and advertising in our bookstore at excellent rates. For information, email marketingallbooks@aol.com www.allboooksreviewint.com

Review of The Age ofAmy Bonehead Bootcamp by Bruce Edward

Have you ever been to a bootcamp? How about one where you fall into a world where your inner personality shows clearly through your now animal head? Well that’s exactly what happens to Amy Dawson when her parents send her to Bonehead Bootcamp. After her big move from the city to the Midwest, which she isn’t happy about, she strikes out at her family until they’ve had enough. Her parents decide that Amy needs a change of attitude and think the best thing for her will be to send her to Bonehead Bootcamp. As it turns out Bonehead Bootcamp isn’t your average bootcamp for troubled teens. It’s actually a scary, fantasy land where a goat man forces Amy and three other teens to see their real selves and change the animals they truly are inside. The Age of Amy Bonehead Bootcamp is truly a book about finding one’s real self and getting over the bad animal like parts of the human personalities in the world. Amy represents the average kid really well, who is angry about moving and lashes out. The twist in the story is a different idea that is actually a really great way to show the many different types of people by making their heads look like animals. The author Bruce Edwards does a really great job setting up the plot of the story. He also does a good job at creating the characters so that they really do match the types of animals he makes them. I highly recommend this book for new readers from middle school to early high school kids who are looking for a great read about teenagers around their own age. HighlyRecommended by Reviewer:Chaselyn Kenney,AllbookReview International www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: The Age of Amy Bonehead Bootcamp Author: Bruce Edward Publisher: Lambert Hill Price: $9.95 paperback Pages:174 ISBN: 978-0-9837604-0-5 For more info: www.AgeOfAmy.com Date of review: April 2012

Review of To Kill the Duke by author Sam Moffie

Take a journey back into the 1950s, alongside a cast of familiar characters, and re-visit the ‘Cold War’ in a different light…! Author, Sam Moffie, creates a tidal wave of excellence pouring out and onto each page of his latest literary work, ‘To Kill The Duke.’ Moffie constructs a work of art in this piece of – historical facts meets fiction. As a history buff, I have always been interested in learning more about the ‘Cold War’ and the major consequence it had on our history as a whole. What if I was to tell you a soviet plot was constructed by Stalin, to find and assassinate the one and only – American film icon, John Wayne, aka ‘The Duke!’ Sound crazy? Historical documents prove just that! Sam Moffie combines historical facts of the cold war with colorful fictitious characters and humorous situations – all which play a riveting role in this masterpiece. True to fashion, Moffie’s dialogue glitters among this star-studded cast of characters. What do ‘Susan Hayward,’ John Wayne,’ and Howard Hughes’ have in common – besides all being iconic film legends? They are all immortalized in Moffie’s tale of suspense, espionage, and humor. I am thoroughly impressed with the amount of time and research Moffie put into creating ‘To Kill The Duke.’ Toward the end, Moffie lists the cast and crew specifying their careers and untimely deaths. ‘To Kill The Duke’ is a fascinating read that any history buff can appreciate – any reader for that matter that is searching for a book with a unique plot, mesmerizing characters, and enjoys dark humor. Sam Moffie has written four previous novels – I highly suggest that you check them out as well! Highly recommended by Barbara Watkins, Allbooks Review Int. www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: To Kill The Duke: Author: Sam Moffie: Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN# 9781461147060 Pages: 362 April 2012

Allbooks Review International December 2012 Newsletter

BEST OF THE SEASON TO EVERYONE Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors, print and ebook. Authors around the world use our service. Great coverage for your book for twelve months +. SUCCESS STORIES Congratulations to Shirley A. Roe. Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour is now available in ebook, and print (kindle edition): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KWEX02 FEATURE: Are Books Doomed to Extinction? Publishers Must Innovate to Save the Book as We Know It, Says Best-Selling Author Michael Levin says he can see the writing on the iPad. “Unless something changes, books as we know them are doomed, and not simply because people prefer to read on their iPads or Kindles.” says Levin, (www.BusinessGhost.com), a New York Times best-selling author, as well as editor, publisher, co-writer and ghostwriter. “You’ll see the major publishing houses starting to go away in three to five years,” Levin says. “Their business model is in free fall. Already, we’re seeing books becoming shorter, cheaper, and diminishing in quality. You’ll soon see fewer really good authors bothering to write books, because books are no longer a meaningful source of revenue.” Levin points to several developments he says foreshadow a sad ending for books: • Attention spans are diminishing. Three-fourths of teachers said their students’ attention spans are shorter than ever, according to a poll released in June. By 11 years old, nearly half of the kids had stopped reading for pleasure. The poll, by publisher Pearson UK, is just the most recent survey/study documenting shrinking attention spans and a corresponding drift from books. “Part of the problem is children don’t see their parents reading,” Levin says. “Obviously, the kids’ aren’t the only ones with diminishing attention spans.” • Major publishers are producing lower-quality books. The big publishing houses today are more interested in a quality marketing plan than in the quality of the book, so we’re being deluged by low-quality books. One reason is that many large publishers have stopped taking on the expense of marketing books, but they know it’s necessary for sales. So they take on authors with a marketing plan and budget. They’re also less interested in “star” authors, who demand higher royalties. They also lost authors when they eliminated advances in response to the 2008 recession. • Books are moving to devices, where content is free and time is thin-sliced. Online, you don’t expect to pay for content. People will expect books available online to be either free or very inexpensive, and if those books turn out to be one chapter of ideas and eleven chapters of Hamburger Helper, they will be less willing to pay for them. Also, people don’t spend much time going into depth online; books are supremely inappropriate for the surface-skimming nature of the Internet. Once people have bought a bunch of ebooks they’ve never started, they’ll stop buying them altogether. • Authors have a more difficult time earning a livable wage. Fewer authors can earn enough to make writing a full-time job. The audience is shrinking and fewer people are willing to pay $15 for a paper book when cheap alternatives are available. “We’ve already seen more books written to promote a product, service or company, or to brand the writer so he or she can pursue a more lucrative field,” Levin says. “Most books of the future will be marketing tools, since that’s the only way they’ll be profitable.” Levin does find reason for hope, but it will require publishers to change how they do business. “They need to stop trying to go after the mass market, which doesn’t exist anymore, settle on a niche and develop a brand. Publishers that stand for something in the reader’s mind – like Harlequin stands for romance – are built for the long haul,” he says. Instead of publishing 500 low-quality books every year, major publishers should bring out only 50 top-quality winners and actually market them, he says. And publish how-to and other guidance and instructional books in concentrated form: short, powerful and to the point, The rest of us have a job to do, too, Levin adds. “People need to read, and they need to read to their kids or buy them books. If people stop demanding good books, there eventually will be none available,” he says. “The winners, going forward, will be that minority who still read and think for themselves. It’s a lot easier for government, the military, and the corporate world to control the way people think if they aren’t reading for themselves. That ought to be reason enough to save the book.” About Michael Levin Michael Levin, founder and CEO of BusinessGhost, Inc., has written more than 100 books, including eight national best-sellers; five that have been optioned for film or TV by Steven Soderbergh/Paramount, HBO, Disney, ABC, and others; and one that became “Model Behavior,” an ABC Sunday night Disney movie of the week. He has co-written with Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, football broadcasting legend Pat Summerall, NBA star Doug Christie and Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman, among others. As a publishing consultant, Michael’s best-selling clients include ZigZiglar, Michael Gerber and Jay Abraham. He was the editor for Ziglar’s most recent book, “Born To Win.” Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) David V. Mammina lives in Lindenhurst, NY, USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: The Angels of Resistance, published by David V. Mammina and printed by Lulu Press. Tell us about yourself: Born and raised on Long Island, NY, David V. Mammina has striven to make a name for himself. He went to Lindenhurst Schools and graduated in 2000. He then made his way to Nassau Community College and received his first degree. He then attended Stony brook and acquired his next degree in History. Finally, David got his Masters in Special Education and Social Studies. He specializes In writing dark fantasy and has been featured at the Comic Con in New York City and the I-CON at Stony brook. David is very family oriented as he attributes most of his success to them. He works in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn now as a special education teacher. When was the book released? July 2, 2012 Give us an overview of your book. One thousand years after the assumed apocalypse, a demonic army known as the Demon Plague has invaded the new world. With various races and cultures split by their differences, one man inspires them to unite in order to defeat the unfathomable evil force. What inspired you to write this book? It had taken me five years to write this story, which happens to be my personal favorite. Once the world experiences an apocalyptic event, many people have their theories of how humankind would survive. I had loved the idea that, in time, people would gather around their familiar cultures and move on. Yet, they would not be united until a great and terrible event forced them to look past their differences and fight for each other instead of themselves. How is your book different from other books in this genre? The dark fantasy genre can often be misunderstood by many. I mend good character developed stories in a realistic world with deep fantastical undertones. Not only will this book capture your imagination as it is a tale that I believe is wildly original, but it is hard to put down. It is a book for the genre that can be read by any avid reader. Where can people buy your book? This book is available on most online bookstores, but one can find it in paperback and hardcover at my website: www.MamminaBooks.com Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am always working on another book. I love to write, as it is my passion to write meaningful stories. The most recent involves a holy knight who committed sins of vengeance and must now redeem himself. It is a compelling story and a very relatable character. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Market and network! Tell everyone what you’ve done and why it’s a great read, with a sense of humility of course. Expose your material to any venue possible, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, table mats at diners, conventions, Facebook, etc. But number one, don’t write expecting money. Write because you love it and believe in it. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: NA Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have found creating a website where potential readers of your work can easily find your books to be a great tool. Facebook and twitter are good digital exposure venues. But nothing beats a good convention, like Comic Con, Dragon Con, and other reading conventions. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I have discovered this company online while searching for reviewers and I have only positive things to say about it. It’s an affordable and valuable service for self-published authors. I would like some exposure online through the company as I am very committed in sharing my work with any many people as I can. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost was a surprise indeed. I would gladly pay an extra fee for some more exposure to other websites and/or places where books are shared. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Interview with Stan Popovich author of FEAR

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Stan Popovich from Pittsburgh, PA (USA) Tell us the title and publisher of your book: A Layman’s Guide To Managing Fear” By Stan Popovich and published by Treble Heart Books. My book is located at www.managingfear.com Tell us about yourself: I am a Penn State graduate with a computer and business background and I have 20 years of personal experience in dealing with fear and anxiety. When was the book released?: October 2003. Since my book is about stress, anxiety and fear, my topic and book doesn’t become outdated. Everyone deals with fear and that will never change. Give us an overview of your book. My book, which is at www.managingfear.com is a comprehensive review on how to deal with fear, anxiety, and stress. My book gives an overview on what techniques are available in dealing with fear, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Please visit my article section at my website for a quick preview of my book. What inspired you to write this book? I dealt with anxiety for over 20 years and I kept a notebook of different ways to deal with my fears. One day I decided to get my notes published into a small booklet which lead to my current book. How is your book different from other books in this genre? My book goes over the techniques that are available for someone who deals with fear and anxiety. My book talks about how to overcome your fears and gives concrete and easy to understand examples. My book is very effective in finding the answers to your particular fears. Please visit my website www.managingfear.com for more information. Where can people buy your book? At my website www.managingfear.com Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? Not At This Time. I write articles on how to deal with different mental health issues to help promote my book. Please do an internet search of “Stan Popovich” or “Stanley Popovich” to see Stan’s latest articles. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? I am not self published, however writing the book is only half of it. Marketing the book is another job in itself. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: I didn’t have to spend a lot of money to get my book published. My publisher helped me to get my book ready. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have been interviewed on various radio and TV programs, I got many articles published in various magazines and websites, and people around the world have bought my book. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I did an internet search and was hoping to help pass the word about my book. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? I noticed the low cost and based on the services offered I decided it was worth using your services. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Review of When Wolf Comes by John Pappas

Aidan Ephraim Martin was a man whose life took turns that no one could have ever predicted. The challenges he met after that fateful day in 1801 when he sat down for a drink in a public house after a hard day of fishing would have killed a lesser man. Being knocked unconscious and waking up as a captive seaman, miles out to sea, didn’t stop Aidan from living. Becoming a refugee at an isolated Spanish mission in northern California didn’t cause Aidan to lose heart. The all too brief interlude as a free seaman led to Aidan’s greatest test. He was grievously wounded, captured, and sold as a slave to a tribe in what we now call the Pacific Northwest. Only at the end of this cleverly written tale of adventure can the reader come to understand what survival means. Writing is an art. History is a science. To mix them together so they form a uniform and cohesive whole takes a passion and a love for both along with a strong desire to share. In this book John Pappas has demonstrated all this. In writing historical fiction an author locks himself into a set of rules. These rules include everything that is entailed in the times during which the writing is to occur. All the actions of the characters are limited by the technology of the time, the clothing, social rules, etc. Even though it is fiction which implies that everything is pretend, using a historical setting means there are usually a set of expectations. To resolve a plot question an author can’t suddenly have a poet in 1750 Japan invent an electric generator using western principles. It just doesn’t work. What works is John Pappas careful use of what had to be deep research into the history of the time. His characters use what is realistically at hand. Aidan’s toolkit is never complete, but completely realistic. His knowledge of ironworking is a beginner’s level which improves as he teaches himself and makes use of what is at hand. This book is definitely highly recommended and will not disappoint. This reviewer is ardently awaiting any possible future installment of Aidan’s life.Reviewer: John Helman, Allbooks ReviewsInternational Title: When Wolf Comes Author: John Pappas Publisher: Orca11 Books ISBN: 978-1-4276-3606-5 Pages: 289 April 2012 For more info: orca11.com

Interview with J.E. Anzalone, author of Collision Course

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) My name is J.E. Anzalone (Eric Anzalone)—Monroe Township, New Jersey USA. Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Collisions Course – Dog Ear Publishing. Tell us about yourself: In 1995 I replaced Glenn Hughes as “The Biker/Leatherman” in the disco super group the Village People. Outside of the VP, I’ve appeared on stages around the world in various capacities—including playing the role of Berger in the European Tour of HAIR, as the guitarist in the NYC based punk band SiR, and as a singer for Princess Cruises. From 1991-93 I starred as Donatello in the world tour of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Out of Our Shells, and later as Raphael in the specials A Turtles' Christmas and Turtle Tunes, and in various TV programs, including Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. I am the host of a webcast show What Matters Most (http://www.experiencenirvana.org/what-matters-most.html) And I have a monthly podcast called Make Your Own Music. (http://www.experiencenirvana.org/make-your-own-music-by-eric-anzalone.html). I was born in Dayton, OH, grew up in Santa Barbara, CA, and I studied music and theatre at the University of Miami, FL. In 2012, I graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in Film and Media. I’ve written and developed many TV scripts and screenplays, including a show I created for VH1 in 2001, but Collisions Course is my first novel. I have a 14 year old daughter, and though I spend about 200 days a year on the road, I call New Jersey home. When was the book released?: Collisions Course was released in February 2012. Give us an overview of your book. In 1984, a group of friends use a unique homework assignment to make a pact, promising to reunite twenty years in the future...with two catches: 1) No matter where you find yourself in 2004, you must come alone—leave the husband, wife, lover, and kids at home. 2) No strings attached. Their idea? To recapture youthful abandon and embrace old friendships with no strings attached. In 2004, with clear disregard for common sense, a group of friends showed up at The El Encanto Hotel in Santa Barbara, CA for a reunion. And they all came alone…or so they thought. I was at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, CA in the early 80s when a reunion plan was set into motion. My book, Collisions Course, is proof that life is not only stranger than fiction, it makes a great novel. What inspired you to write this book? There are no “accidents” in life, only “collisions,” and I've definitely had some interesting ones. After being told time and again, "Your life is like a movie…you should write a screenplay," I decided to go for it, but instead of trying to cram it all into strict screenplay format, I opted to write a novel. Not everything in my book is based on 'actual' events, but the voice of the book is all me—my observations, my comments, my questions. How is your book different from other books in this genre? As I said, life is stranger than fiction. When people ask me, off the record, what’s real and what I’ve created, it’s fun to watch their expression. I’ve been arrested, hit by a car, and held hostage at gunpoint. I’ve toured the world as a musician, non-stop, for the past 20 years, my group has sold over 100 million records…I’ve been a super hero, played bingo with Cher in Des Moines, and was pointedly rude to Pink at a party in Sydney. Not that any of that makes me special—I’m still a dork—but it does separate me from most of the pack. Where can people buy your book? Collisions Course is available in print and eReader for Nook at Barnes and Noble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/collisions-course-je-anzalone/1109141085?ean=9781457509414&itm=8&usri=collisions+course In print and eReader for Kindle at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Collisions-Course-J-E-Anzalone/dp/1457509415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333133341&sr=8-1 In the U.K. available at Foyles.com: http://www.foyles.co.uk/item/Fiction-Poetry/Collisions-Course,JE-Anzalone-9781457509414 Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am not currently working on another book, but a lot of people have urged me to write a sequel to Collisions Course. I may revisit the group of friends from my book at some point—trust me, those “collisions” are still “coursing”—but at the moment I’m concentrating on a few other projects. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? I am indeed self-published—that said, I had an investor behind me. The best advice I could give fellow writers is to be AWARE of companies that promise you and your “best seller” the world! Unless you have a manager or a business-type helping you, you must stop thinking like an artist/writer and read between the lines of what these companies are promising you. I’m not saying the majority of these self-publishing companies won’t deliver, BUT fees can be inflated, and the “Professional Plan” might not be the best plan for a first-time author; even though they will try to sell you the soup-to-nuts, pricey plan, remember, you can always upgrade if everything is clicking. No matter what a company promises you, in terms of publicity, YOU MUST BE PROACTIVE! Even authors with big publishing houses are out there pushing their books. Other than that, I would say if you are going to self-publish, GET YOURSELF A GOOD EDITOR! Money is better spent on a trustworthy/seasoned editor than a flashy book cover. Just because your best-friend reads a book a week and was an English major, does not mean they are an editor. And don’t convince yourself you do not need an editor, or that you can do it yourself—DO NOT TRY TO CUT CORNERS. There are a lot of editors out there offering their services, BUT make sure the editor you choose wants to work on your book, is excited about the material, and can relate to you—you will get what you pay for, and if the editor you choose just wants a check, your novel will pay the price…trust me. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I have a bit of an advantage when it comes to marketing because of my past twenty years in entertainment. I have a great manager and, with the Village People, she has a calling card whenever she contacts a media outlet. One cool success we had, was right out of the gates, in May of 2012, she got me booked on the CBS morning TV show in Phoenix. I was there to graduate from ASU, but my manager tied the book into the trip—a fantastic angle! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QUjOhYinhs) How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found Allbooks Reviews through my manager. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? Yes, the low cost was a surprise! I love it…no hidden fees, no tricks, Allbooks Reviews is a wonderful resource and tool for writers—at this point, I can’t think of much more Allbooks Reviews could offer that they don’t already. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Review of Assassin's Trap by D.C. Shaftoe

Back from his first adventures in the book; Forged in the Jungles of Burma, where he was kidnapped and interrogated, the ever suave MI-5 agent John Brock thrills us again with his continued espionage adventures. This time, Brock who is the head of counterterrorism for Great Britain's secret service finds that his life is threatened by an unknown band of assassins. In Assassin’s Trap, Brock must use his cunning and skills to foil the would-be assassins while at the same time protecting his beloved wife from their clutches. This book starts off with a bang-up car crash and continues it’s pace at the same speed never letting up on the proverbial gas. Brock always keeps his wits about him even when his life is in danger, while at the same time, behaves in a caring manner so that his wife won’t worry about his safety. D.C. Shaftoe does a wonderful job of balancing the plot’s action with Brock’s real and endearing concern for his wife. She uses just the right amount of humor in her writing which helps to make all of her characters very real. It’s a spy fantasy that resonates well with women - a sophisticated spy who has heart pounding adventure after adventure who is at the same time, a considerate husband who appreciates and respects his wife. There’s more coming. The threat replayed in John’s mind as the rain poured down his already soaked body, the chill on his skin matching the chill in his heart. When his mobile rang, he checked the caller ID. It was his wife. If he let the call go to voicemail, she might worry – and frankly, he could use a little Caroline right now. Pausing to wipe the water from his phone, he answered, trying to keep his voice easy and light. “”What’s up?” Packed with plenty of action, this book delivers what readers want - a married spy who cares as much about his relationship with his wife as he does his exciting job. Assassin’s Trap is an engaging story, well written, sported by referenced material, and filled with subtle humor. Shaftoe’s characters are real and the dialog moves the plot along. Assassin’s Trap certainly managed to capture this reader with its character’s exploits. Reviewer: Wendy Thomas, Allbooks Reviews. www.allbookreviews.com . Title: Assassin’s Trap Author: D.C. Shaftoe Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-4697-0057-1 Pages: 310 Price: 19.95 For more info: www.dcshaftoe.com April 2012

Allbooks Review Nov. 2012 Newsletter

Allbooks Review Nov. 2012 Newsletter Visit: www.allbooksreviewint.com Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service. Great coverage for your book for twelve months +.Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50.U.S Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us. SUCCESS STORIES Congratulations to William Wang, winner of the Allbooks Review Int. Junior Reviewer contest. Second place Andrew Sun and third place Jeffery Ben as well as Honorable Mention, Roger Kou also deserve our thanks and congratulations. The contest was sponsored by Allbooks Review Int and students in the Ottawa, Ontario Canada area took part. Author Dawn Beaumont Lane generously supplied twelve copies of her book, The Witch’s Tale for the contest. Congratulations to Shirley A. Roe on her eighth book published by RealTime Publishing, Limerick, Ireland. Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour is now available in ebook, and print (kindle edition): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KWEX02 FEATURE Rejection! (Is your book REALLY that bad?) Rejection. Oh, how it stings. Most of us have been through it during our lives seeking jobs, seeking love, seeking publication for our books. Rejection hurts. It destroys our self-image (for a while, anyway) And it tears at the thin fabric in which we cocoon our fragile writer's ego, protecting the inner belief that our work is valid. A new writer recently emailed me after receiving a flurry of rejections from big agents. With a crushed spirit, she wrote: "It makes no sense to me. If someone has written a book that is a good read, then why in the world would it not be recognized, published and read? The only answer that makes any sense is that it's not a particularly good read after all." Alas, if it were only that simple. Let's step back and take a look at the situation. You wrote a book. Your instincts tell you it's darned good. You envision an agent or publisher recognizing this and sweeping you up in their arms to share with the world. You dream of financial success, recognition, and that sweet validation that makes you feel you're a "real" writer. That elusive dream haunts just about every new writer I've ever known. Then, after years of toiling, burning the midnight or early morning oil, sweating and suffering and bleeding onto the pages—most realize, in time, that they'd better not quit their day jobs. If every "good" book were accepted and published, we'd need a great deal more space to store and sell them. I've read that bookstores today stock only 2-3% of the published books in the world (physical books, not eBooks, of course.). Imagine all the "real" books that don't end up on their shelves? Now imagine all the good books that never get published. It's mind-boggling. An enormous number of books are submitted annually to publishers, and only a relative handful of agents and editors scan through the 0.05% that are accepted for the slush pile. They often receive hundreds of submissions per day. Imagine reading 100 emails every single day from authors who want to be heard? It wouldn't be hard to feel jaded in short order. Publishers and agents have cut down their staffs, because of the economy, and it's probably even harder for them to get through the slush piles now, with the fear of job loss if their next pick doesn't bring in some cash. There are plenty of horrible books submitted each year, too. But there are also hundreds, if not thousands, of very good books out there. Yours may be one of them. (If it isn't, keep on working on your skills until it is.) Are you in this boat? Have you had your books summarily dismissed by the powers that be, over and over again? Have you hired or courted superb writers to help you perfect your story? Have you scoured your book dozens of times for typos or inconsistencies? Have you researched the heck out of every point that needs confirmation? Have you assured yourself that your dialogue is crisp and believable? Have you hacked away at unnecessary adverbs and adjectives? Have you just plain told the story in the same voice you use to speak? And has your book still been rejected? If not, drop down on your knees and count your lucky stars, for you are among one of the very few who got picked up at the starting gate. If so, let me share something with you. Rejections may have nothing to do with the quality or value of your book. Most often, they have to do with the market, and what's "hot" this season. It could be the mood of the agent or editor who's reading your stuff, or the fact that your book slides between genres. Maybe it features young adults, but doesn't follow someone's blueprint for what a YA book needs to contain. Maybe it's absolutely perfect for a publisher, but they've already filled the slot for your genre on their list this year. Maybe the first level editor falls in love with your book, but her boss doesn't. Or you get all the way to the top of this year's short list, only to be told you didn't make the cut. Sound familiar? If you don't get picked up in the first five years by high profile agents or publishers, I recommend seeking a high quality small press. It's not easy to get into their world, either. But you don't usually need an agent, and they can provide a nurturing home for you, as well as help you get your books out to the public. And let me tell you, friends, it's that public, those lovely readers, who will provide the validation you've sought for so long. When the first person (who isn't family or a friend) comes up to you and gushes over your characters, or when you receive that unsolicited email from a stranger who NEEDS your next book or "they'll just die," or that lady who's been staring at you with stars in her eyes finally approaches you in the grocery store and says she wants to marry your lead character... that's when the validation just washes through your writer's soul. It's even better than the glowing reviews. So, the publishing game is tough, but it's not hopeless. There is still a place for us in this intensely competitive world. Acceptance by a high profile firm does not necessarily equate to a good book, just as rejection doesn't always equate to a bad book. Just look at the bestsellers out there. Some are quite odious, filled with plot holes, flat characters, and poor editing. So, why bother? Even with staggering odds in today's market, every year several "newcomers" are "discovered" and offered lucrative contracts. It does happen. We hear about it all the time. The next "hot" book will be discovered any day now. And it could be yours. My final bit of advice is this: If you are a passionate writer, you need to keep writing, regardless of what agent represents you, how many times your work has been rejected, what publisher has thumbed their nose at you, how many readers you have or don't have, how many books you have published or not published. Okay. Group Hug. Now, go out there and write like the wind! Ever wish you could peer into the brain of a published author and learn what tips he’s absorbed? Join award-winning mystery author Aaron Paul Lazar as he shares the cream of the crop from seven years of writing blogs in this fresh and unique offering of advice for fellow scribes. Write Like the Wind, volume 2, is available for 99 cents through Twilight Times Books and on all online book stores. WRITE LIKE THE WIND Volume 1 is also available for 99 cents. Volume 3 will be available late August, 2012. Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Luke Edward Hays from North Chelmsford MA, United States of America Tell us the title and publisher of your book: “Outskirtspress” is a self publishing company I found through Google.com. They have been very helpful in providing affortable “Publishing Packages.” Tell us about yourself: I was born on March 29, 1991 in Dover New Hampshire, my family and I then moved to Chelmsford Mass where I now am currently living working on my literature and finding ways to market my work. When was the book released?: March 7, 2012 Give us an overview of your book. During the Spring of 1883, Pinkerton Detective Henry Larson leaves his home state of New York to travel to a town in California called Littleton to investigate the unsolved Grim Reaper case. With the victims hearts cut out of their bodies and many theories established by previous Detectives and Inspectors, Henry Larson has one advantage that the previous investigators didn't, his psychic ability. Through herbal tea and smoking the herb leaf in his pipe and using it as tobacco for cigarettes, Henry uses the herbs to clear his mind, giving him the power to see into the future through his dreams. But what he finds in the end is only a game of cat and mouse between him and the Grim Reaper. What inspired you to write this book? I love murder mysteries, some of my favorite stories are the Connon Doyle “Sherlock Holmes” novels, “From Hell” with Johnny Depp (a murder mystery about Jack the Ripper), a fasination towards real life murders such as “The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacure” and in essinascene the dark side of human nature. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Too be honest I do not know how to answer this. Where can people buy your book? People can purchase my literature on Amazon.com by searching the name of the book or my name where they can go to my author page where both my books are present. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am currently working on my third novel and I don’t expect it to be published for the next five years giver take. It is a large story and is going to take a lot of time and effort, espcially if you add in my editor’s editing time. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Find ways to get your work known, such as send out a massive email to all of your friends and relatives, don’t shut up about it on Facebook, create cards with the information about your novel and where to find it and give those out to people. Do internet searches for author interviews and most importantly, don’t give up. Eventually you will in due time become a well known writer. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: If I had published through a professional publisher I probally would have a agent by now and would have book tours booked and I would most likely be writing fiction full time and living my American dream. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I create cards with the names of my two novels with my name, where the novels are being sold, and what format like paperback and kindle. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found “Allbooks Reviews” through a site called “Writers in the Sky.” Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? No, the price was not a surprise. Ways to get in contact with literary agents. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. Our full author promotional package is only $49.95. This includes a review, interview and 12 months internet circulation of the review with purchase links on various websites. We review both print and ebooks for traditionally published and self- published authors. Also editing, and advertising in our bookstore at excellent rates. For information, email marketingallbooks@aol.com www.allboooksreviewint.com

Interview with Luke Edward Hayes, author of Psychic Detectives

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Luke Edward Hays from North Chelmsford MA, United States of America Tell us the title and publisher of your book: “Outskirtspress” is a self publishing company I found through Google.com. They have been very helpful in providing affortable “Publishing Packages.” Tell us about yourself: I was born on March 29, 1991 in Dover New Hampshire, my family and I then moved to Chelmsford Mass where I now am currently living working on my literature and finding ways to market my work. When was the book released?: March 7, 2012 Give us an overview of your book. During the Spring of 1883, Pinkerton Detective Henry Larson leaves his home state of New York to travel to a town in California called Littleton to investigate the unsolved Grim Reaper case. With the victims hearts cut out of their bodies and many theories established by previous Detectives and Inspectors, Henry Larson has one advantage that the previous investigators didn't, his psychic ability. Through herbal tea and smoking the herb leaf in his pipe and using it as tobacco for cigarettes, Henry uses the herbs to clear his mind, giving him the power to see into the future through his dreams. But what he finds in the end is only a game of cat and mouse between him and the Grim Reaper. What inspired you to write this book? I love murder mysteries, some of my faviorite stories are the Connon Doyle “Sherlock Holmes” novels, “From Hell” with Johnny Depp (a murder mystery about Jack the Ripper), a fasination towards real life murders such as “The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacure” and in essinascene the dark side of human nature. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Too be honest I do not know how to answer this. Where can people buy your book? People can purcahse my literature on Amazon.com by searching the name of the book or my name where they can go to my author page where both my books are present. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am currently working on my third novel and I don’t expect it to be published for the next five years giver take. It is a large story and is going to take a lot of time and effort, espcially if you add in my editor’s editing time. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Find ways to get your work known, such as send out a massive email to all of your friends and relatives, don’t shut up about it on Facebook, create cards with the information about your novel and where to find it and give those out to people. Do internet searches for author interviews and most importantly, don’t give up. Eventually you will in due time become a well known writer. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: If I had published through a professional publisher I proballly would have a agent by now and would have book tours booked and I would most likely be writing fiction full time and living my American dream. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I create cards with the names of my two novels with my name, where the novels are being sold, and what format like paperback and kindle. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found “Allbooks Reviews” through a site called “Writers in the Sky.” Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? No, the price was not a surprise. Ways to get in contact with literary agents. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

Review of Mystic Fear by author Jan Evans Whitford

“To be wronged is nothing unless one continues to remember it” says Jan Evan Whitford, the author, through one of his characters in this ultimate non-stop adrenalin generating thriller. Unfortunately for Nikki O’Conner, the heroine, the one she has wronged 25 years ago continues to remember it. Fortunately for us, the readers, we get to read this incredibly satisfying thriller as a result. 15-year-old Nikki, a gorgeous cheerleader, innocently accepts a high school double-dog dare to play a prank on a dashing but extremely shy male schoolmate named Marion Hess. The prank is called the “Marion Hess Fact-Finding Commission”. You must read this novel to find out what fact Nikki is supposed to find out. Also, find out why Marion feels he is so fatally wronged that he still continues to remember it, hatching a relentless “Nikki O’Conner “Become” Mission”. Let’s fast forward. Nikki, at 40, is still as gorgeous and sought after. She is now a park ranger and life is good for her now. She has survived two husbands and now is happily married for three months to a third husband who adores her. As a testament of his undying love, he gives her a rare antique purple brooch. The plot thickens when they discover after they have the brooch appraised, that it is worth a million dollars. However, little do they know that legend has it that this beautiful object brings bad luck to all but its rightful owner. Well, Nikki is obviously not the rightful owner, because when she comes home one night, she finds her beloved third husband murdered and Marion’s message addressed to her at the crime scene, hence the title, Mystic Fear. Reading this novel is like going on a non-stop roller coaster ride through a series of romance, mystery, psychosis, and murderous chain of events, all of which leads to Marion’s obsession to make Nikki “Become”. It is also amazing how the author, Jan Evan Whitford, is able to juggle an enormous array of engaging characters and copious number of subplots, and tie them all together neatly and beautifully to give it such an agreeable ending. Bravo! Mr. Whitford. I would strongly recommend this thriller to readers who want it all and are willing to risk a heart attack reading it! Yuke Man, Reviewer, Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: Mystic Fear Author: Jan Evan Whitford Publisher: RealTime Publishing, Limerick, Ireland ISBN: 978-1-84961-156-5 Price: $14.99 March 2011

Review of Tony Samara's 'From the Heart'

“The topic is consciousness—an aspect that everyone here and many people around the world are putting a lot of effort into understanding—and I would like to highlight some of the misunderstandings around consciousness so that perhaps those misunderstandings, and those other ideas that the mind likes to create to confuse us as individuals and also as a society, and as a family and as a group of people, can be looked at with clear intention and let go of.” From the Heart is a collection of Satsangs (Sanskrit for spiritual discourse, talk with the divine) that can be found on the author’s website: www.TonySamara.TV. All of the clear and precise Satangs were recorded in the Garden of Light in Germany. Facet by facet, the author reveals an important life lesson and a step toward living from your deeper, spiritual self. Chapters include Let Go of Jealousy, Believe in Yourself, Consciousness, Fasting & Love, Meditation and many other topics that will entertain, educate and profoundly alter the way you see life and your own reality. The opening paragraph of this review is an example of the writer’s style and deep commitment to his lessons. Reading this book is like listening to a conversation filled with awe inspiring wisdom. Readers are captivated by the words page after page. Instruction is simple, and easy to apply- if you pay attention and really hear what is being said, really take it into your core being and believe that it is the “Truth.” You can change your life and this book is the first step in finally applying all that you have heard and learned; the final missing link to happiness and peace. One of the things that appealed to me about this book is the supporting website where readers can continue their journey. I am now a regular visitor to both the site and the youtube versions of the meditations and I know you will be too. Highly recommended by reviewer: Shirley A. Roe, Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: From the Heart Author: Tony Samara For more info: www.tonysamara.org & http://www.tonysamara.org/lang_en/booksUK.htm March 2011

Interview with author Catherine MacDonald

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Catherine MacDonald Reno NV USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Seasons of the Vineyard/Create Space Tell us about yourself: I am a wife, mother, nana, and small business owner. I live in the mountains and I am an avid hiker. When was the book released? June 2012 Give us an overview of your book. Francesca ran away from the family vineyard because she was determined to live a different life—one without the grapes and her secrets, but life has a different plan. Returning home, she is confronted with the actions of her past and the complexities of the present. But she is stubborn and determined to save the vineyard and uncover the secret of the Zinfandel wine, but the secret is buried with her mother. Francesca must save the vineyard, find the secret, and deal with her turbulent past and lover. What inspired you to write this book? A trip to Italy. I grew up in California and have always loved vineyards. I even wanted to run a vineyard—that is until I did the research for this book and realized how difficult it is. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Besides the research, there is an element of the paranormal. Where can people buy your book? Amazon.com But if you are in Reno NV, you can come into my parts store and purchase one there. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? Yes. The Divorce Ranch, set in Nevada circa 1936 If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Modern technology has made it easy to publish oneself. Don’t be afraid. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: My books that were traditionally published had book stores that stocked them and I did book signings. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? Hmm. Probably my daily blog. I have quite a few readers and I have been doing this for over two years. www.supernovel.com/blog How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? The Frugal Book Promoter. I was hoping for a fair and balanced review, which I received. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost was attractive. I’m not sure what else I would like from Allbooks. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. Thank you!

Allbooks Review Oct. 2012 Newsletter

Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service. Great coverage for your book for twelve months +.Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50.U.S Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us. Tip: Five Search Engine Optimization Tips~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~By Karen Cioffi If you’re new to the writing game, you may not be aware of some of the essential steps needed to get in the game - - steps that will make your name, and brand visible. Visibility is a biggie if you want to increase traffic to your site and move forward in your writing career. Why is it important to become familiar with SEO blog tips? Simply put, the answer is to generate visibility. So, what are some tips to help you get started in the right direction? Well, the very first and most obvious tip is to have a Web site or blog site. Once you have one set up, it’s your job to post content to it on a regular basis, no less than once a week, two or three times a week is better though. So, here is the strategy (SEO) that allows the search engines, such as Google, to find your site and content and to categorize and index your content. This in turn makes it available to online searchers. Five SEO Blog Tips: 1. Use a keyword in your article title. Try one of the free keyword search tools to find an effective keyword. I use http://googlekeywordtool.com/ A keyword, according to Compendium.com, is “any word or phrase a searcher might use to describe or identify a desired resource on the Internet.” 2. Use that keyword in your article’s subheadings, and be sure to bold or italicize your subheadings. So, what are those other tips? How do you make those keywords work for you? And what the devil is a long - tail keyword? See the rest of the article on my Sharing with Writers blog: http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2012/02/increase - traffic - to - your - site - five - seo.html ~Learn about writing and marketing with Karen Cioffi at http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com. Sign up for her free newsletter, A Writer’s World, and get TWO free site - related e - books for subscribing, and ONE more just for stopping by. For professional and affordable writing services check out http://dkvwriting4u.com . FEATURE: Motivation Excerpt from Write Like the Wind vol. 1, by Aaron Paul Lazar, pub. August 2012 What motivates you to write? Is it a yearning to connect with humankind? To share your cherished visions with readers? To breach that lonely cold gap stretching between souls? Do you hope to reach into someone’s heart, and really, truly make a difference? Or do you simply write for yourself? Do you need to control a parallel universe that performs at your command, whose heroes are vivid and alive in your brain, and whose villains bow to your will? Is your own life so out of control that this writing thing, this whirling, compelling, demanding art form, does wonders as a coping strategy? Maybe you don’t care if your books ever get published: you just need to satisfy that inner drive to write. It itches until you scratch it, lures you like a lover, and enslaves you like a drug. And it’s very unforgiving. If you don’t get your daily fix, you get grumpy. Supremely grumpy. Some write to purge demons from a childhood trauma, or to escape painful reality. Others create romantic relationships that fill emptiness in their own lives, or invent critters to help heal the ache after losing a beloved pet. Some imagine bizarre aliens in a world so unlike ours that tantalizing characters and stories are born into new galaxies. And there are those who create scenes with characters strangely like their dear departed grandparents. Writing can be comforting, thrilling, romantic, and scary. But under no circumstances should you write simply to sell a book. That kind of motivation will only disappoint you, and writing for money is often a surefire way to guarantee disappointment. If you do, you may be selling your writer’s soul. Instead, write from your heart. Write to soothe your spirit. Write to instill order in a chaotic world. Write to entertain, to create twisted plots that electrify or shock. Let’s say you’ve written already your heart out. You’ve pumped out a few great books. Suddenly you go dry. What motivates you now? Look around you. The world is crammed with topics. Watch your favorite movies. Dissect them, list the ideas that stir your imagination, and make an inventory of your favorite themes (see Write Like the Wind, volume 3, “Plotting – Comfort Movies”). Is it unrequited love? Time travel? Gentle giants falsely accused? Delicious twists that shock and surprise? Spunky lady cops who save the day? Heroic animals? Fantastical fairies? Gritty city secrets? Keep your ears open. Listen to news stories. The often unfathomable, sometimes horrific accounts will stir your creative juices. Imagine a twist on them. Then twist it again and change its literary color or scent. Don’t worry if it’s been done before, because just about everything has been done before in one fashion or another. Just put your mark on it and write it with passion. Tune in to real life dramas at work, church, or school. Think about your friend whose wife died from a rare complication of a cardiac virus, your cousin who suffers from depression, your daughter whose college boyfriend from Albania is suddenly deported. Real life is fertile and rich, full of angst, splendor, terror, and adventure. It offers a mosaic of ideas, and waits for you to pluck your new favorites to mix and match into a dynamic storyline. Last of all: read, particularly from your genre. Read incessantly. Read in the grocery store line. Read at the doctors. Read at the Laundromat. Read while you wait for the kids after soccer practice. Read before you go to sleep at night. It’s not only the best way to charge up your imagination, but sitting at the virtual feet of the masters of the craft is the best way to learn to write. Life is full of material. Sometimes the hardest part is choosing your themes. Pick a few, and toss them around to coat them with new variations. Make your time traveler a dog, instead of a boy. Put an alien in your tearjerker romance. Create cute little cockroaches instead of bunnies in your children’s book. Or stick to cliché themes, but shake your own writer’s salt on it. Mix up your hat full of ideas and see what falls out. It’s all up to you. Now go get ’em, and remember to write like the wind! Ever wish you could peer into the brain of a published author and learn what tips he’s absorbed? Join award-winning mystery author Aaron Paul Lazar as he shares the cream of the crop from seven years of writing blogs in this fresh and unique offering of advice for fellow scribes.Write Like the Wind, volume 1, is available for 99 cents through Twilight Times Books and on all online book stores. Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Like-the-Wind-ebook/dp/B008UYQF0M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344557114&sr=1-1&keywords=write+like+the+wind Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. Suzanna E. Nelson, Geneva, Switzerland Tell us the title and publisher of your book: The Helpers, published by CreateSpace, March 2011 Paperback price: $15 Tell us about yourself: I work for the United Nations and I am a published author of two award-winning novels. I have lived and worked in Africa, Europe and United States, and I am a strong advocate of human rights issues like anti human trafficking, protection of war children and child education. My first novel "Nightmare Along the River Nile" is set in Uganda and Sudan. It is a story about a student who was abducted by the LRA and sold into slavery. It was inspired by actual events that happened to many young boys and girls in northern Uganda in the 1990s. The story was conceived from many interviews conducted with survivors and former child soldiers who managed to escape the LRA. My second novel "The Helpers" is an international tale of espionage and corruption, and is set in Democratic Republic of Congo, but spans to Europe and United States. When was the book released?: The First Edition was released by iUniverse in March 2010 The Second Edition was released by CreateSpace in March 2011 Give us an overview of your book. American journalist, Jenny Osborne, has just received her first big assignment abroad to report on the war situation between the government and rebels in Congo, but soon after their arrival, she and her photojournalist, John Spencer discover that things are not as they seem. When Kai, a local schoolgirl, decides to end the psychological and sexual abuse that she and her mother have endured at the hands of Gaston, she seeks out Jenny for help. Kai gives Jenny damaging information that could bring down "The Helpers" - a very powerful underground organization whose members include international businessmen and high priests. Their main aim is to maintain a stronghold on the natural resources of Congo and they will stop at nothing to prevent Jenny from exposing them. Jenny finds herself on the run, caught in a web of intrigue, espionage, assassinations and corruption spanning from Congo to Europe, and as far reaching as the United States. Her only hope is Lance Lemmand, a veteran French Intelligence Officer in Congo, and his handsome sidekick Pierre-Jean Philippe. But will they find her before it is too late? Or will "The Helpers" silence them once and for all. Find out in the startling conclusion of: The Helpers. What inspired you to write this book? I always enjoyed reading spy novels, so after finishing my first novel, it seemed logical to indulge in my dream of writing a spy novel, set in Africa. Democratic Republic of Congo was the logical choice because of its history and vast natural resources. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Although the story is fictitious, much of its background was inspired by historical events that happened during colonial times. The reader will learn more about the history of the country. Where can people buy your book? Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/helpers-suzanna-e-nelson/1100367847?ean=2940013524972 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1460942809 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1460942809 http://www.amazon.de/dp/1460942809 http://www.amazon.fr/dp/1460942809 Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am working on the sequel of ‘The Helpers’ and I hope it will be published in the first or second quarter of 2013. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? If you write fiction, make sure you get a professional Developmental Editor to evaluate your work, and then give the manuscript to a Content Editor to go over the grammar. I recommend proofreading the book several times before you publish the book, even if it doesn’t guarantee that there will be no typos. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? Most of my marketing success has come the old fashioned way: word of mouth. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found Allbooks Reviews on the Internet, and I hope to have a long lasting relationship with them. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost was a surprise because I paid more money to be reviewed by other groups. The speed by which this book was evaluated was an added bonus. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. www.allbooksreviewint.com

Allbooks Reviewer Jan Whitman

All of us at Allbooks Review Int. send our sympathy and our healing prayers to Jan Whitford, one of our reviewers, in the loss of his son. May your memories help you through this time of grief. Shirley Roe, Managing Editor

Review of 'The Man Who Could Not Make Up His Mind' by Ed Brodow

The opening of The Man Who Could Not Make Up His Mind is absolutely captivating. The main character, Clifford Day Vanderwall, struggles to make a decision of seemingly simple proportions: buy the chocolate cake, or the chocolate cookies? That it is such a monumental task to commit to one or the other, tells one fact about Vanderwall's character, one around which the entire short story revolves. The imagery with which author Brodow describes the dilemma, as well as the character's resolution, captures the reader in the mind of a man who has a vivid and realistic problem with making decisions. Clifford is an unremarkable member of New York City's social elite, occupying the very dregs of the top 1% of that city. With plain looks, a job dead-ended by his weak leadership skills, and less-than-satisfactory abilities with the opposite sex, he still manages to find a romantic partner. The story follows Clifford through the evolution of that relationship. Alas, the breathtaking way in which our protagonist is introduced is somewhat muted by the very subdued writing style the author selects for the remainder of the tale. Brodow shies away from dialogue, and clearly prefers the passive to the active voice, so when there is no occasion for vivid imagery, the narrative goes quiet. It's as if the reader, who at first was in a high seat surrounded by the action, has been whisked away to a secure glass bubble, where everything can be seen and heard, but the colors are dulled and the sounds muted and distorted. Nevertheless, The Man Who Could Not Make Up His Mind weaves a very human tale which is both poignant and engaging. The distant way in which it is told, shields the reader from some very raw emotion, allowing Clifford's take of love and marriage to unfold realistically, but without the danger of that being swept away when he experiences setbacks. At less than 40 pages, the author chooses to focus on developing the main character, and relegating the supporting cast to mere sketches. If they appear as caricatures, it is more because of the narrow way that the protagonist views them than because they were stereotyped or neglected. Despite its need of a bit of polish, The Man Who Could Not Make Up His Mind is a worthwhile read for those enjoying contemporary fiction. Reviewer: Terence P Ward, Allbooks Review. www.allbooksreview.com Title: The Man Who Could Not Make Up His Mind Author: Ed Brodow Publisher: Ed Brodow For more info: http://www.fixerbook.com/mind.html Feb 2012

Review of Bastion: Prequel to War by A.L.Collins

The day Rigil is to take his final challenge to become a city guard is the day his life changes forever. And not in the way you may think. The challenge was a distraction and while he (and his team) were distracted; Rigil’s home, his city, his friends and colleagues burn to the ground or fight trying to escape. Seeking the root of the problem and justice, Rigil uncovers a plot to, in a sense, take over the world. He meets up with a cast of characters and sets off to right the wrongs. The first bit of the book essentially describes the history of the world that the author has created. Throughout the novel we generally follow Rigil and his crew, but occasionally we get either another history lesson or meet a new cast that Rigil and team has yet to be introduced to. As a result, these changes can be a bit confusing, especially when trying to piece everything together – we are given only the pieces of the puzzle and somehow, we have to fit them together to make sense of it all. Most of the book is written through Rigil’s point of view. However, other than the instances mentioned previously, sometimes the point of view shifts within a scene (several times at that), and it’s confusing as to whom the she/he being referred to actually is. The plot, after the first history lesson, moves pretty fast and there are a lot of action (and magical) scenes. However there are a few instances where the plot really dragged, so I think there is some room for tightening up the plot. There is an interesting host of characters with witty (and sometimes awkward) dialogue. The conclusion – there is not one. There is no cliffhanger. The story is incomplete. A. L. Collins is a young author from the state of Maryland. He recently graduated High School and has a love writing stories. This is his first novel. I think there is potential here for a really good story, but it still needs a little bit of work. It’s still considered a good read by: Margaret Orford, Allbooks Reviews. http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/index.html Title: Bastion: Prequel to War Author: A. L. Collins Publisher: AuthorHouse ISBN: 978-1-4670-7636-4 Pages: 333 pages Price: $27.95 US Feb 2012

Review of 'THE STAMP' by Ed Brodow

Good looking, athletic Lieutenant Tommy Courten has a bad guy, good guy personality. Rough and ready to go at a moment’s notice, necessary attributes for the front lines of Vietnam, with a gentle, thoughtful interior that gives him the control and ability to reason, making it possible to live in an ordinary society. He marries but that doesn’t work. He works for IBM, but that company is too confining and controlling. He just doesn’t fit. Though Tommy doesn't really fit the Marines either, he does his best and learns some valuable skills he will soon need. Then his kid sister, Ellen, is killed. Her boyfriend cannot keep her around once she becomes pregnant because he is married. If she had just left him alone, it would not have happened, he theorizes. Tommy must get revenge. The police and military do not seem to be able to do anything because the accused, Private Rodney Zapata, has fled to Bogota. Tommy takes justice into his own hands and flies to Columbia in search of Rodney. There he finds his prey but he also finds Luz from an area called Guajira. Only Luz and her people can save Tommy’s life, not just his physical body but also his heart and soul. Ed Brodow has written a crisp, intense story about the life of one man, Tommy Courten through the eyes of another, a friend of Tommy’s. This unique treatment gives this novel a sense of intensity as his friend sees Tommy’s life through his own reflections on his life and those of friends and family close to him. Tommy’s friend sees different experiences as “Stamps on the Forehead” of individuals. The Vietnamese War was a stamp on Tommy’s forehead, a time in his life that would change him and not allow him to move forward. Then, as he is trying to do just that, Ellen’s death again forces him back into his old pattern. Only exceptional wisdom and love can change the stamp on Tommy’s forehead. This is an exceptionally well written story and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: THE STAMP Author: Ed Brodow Ebook format For more info: http://www.fixerbook.com/thestamp.html Feb 2012

Review of Finding Thomas by Christopher J. Holcroft

Christopher J. Holcroft’s fourth written novel Finding Thomas is a well-tied package of murder, suspense, rescue, and adventure. I strongly recommend this book for teenage boys (around ages 14-15) because of the alluring sense of crime that is woven throughout the entire plot. Girls who enjoy books with danger are also encouraged to try this read. Right from the prologue of this book, Finding Thomas grabs your attention. It begins with a phone call, a sobbing mother on one end and her comforting husband who works for a politician on the other. Her shattering cry of her son being dead will immediately bring forward questions. From there on, the story only gets more captivating. The son and also protagonist, Kit Green, is miraculously brought back to life but after his revival, he is not the average teenager that he was before. He now possesses the ability to see and talk to spirits that have passed away. Finding Thomas now diverts the plot so that it has more of a supernatural feel. The deceased son of the politician (that Kit’s father works for) befriends Kit in order to stop their fathers from being killed by a shady police officer. And thus, their thrilling crime adventure begins. There are many twists and turns during plotline and will always keep you wondering what will happen next. This book is written in third person and therefore you can understand and read situations from the eyes of different characters, although it mainly is from Kit’s point of view. As you dwell further into the book, you will start to love Kit Green and his wistful character. Holcroft has added many characters that you may be attached to and will cheer on as the plot progresses. Finding Thomas is one of those intense books that will never bore you. Although it may not be the type of book that you will be forever glued to but you will definitely finish it enjoyably. As mentioned before, typical teenage boys will take a great liking to this book but not all girls will enjoy it as much as I did. Christopher J. Holcroft has much experience with journalism, communications, media training, and complex public information planning and implementation. After serving 35 years as Venturer Scout Leader and member of the Australian Army Reserve, he decided to write adventuring boy-like novels, encouraging young men to read more. Finding Thomas is his fourth book, greatly inspired by the passing of his brothers and his belief that there is life after death. He is now married to Yvonne and has three sons. The family enjoys outdoor recreational activities such as camping and scuba diving. Highly recommended by Reviewer: Iris Park, Allbooks Review Int. www.allbooksreviewint.com Title: Finding Thomas Author: Christopher J. Holcroft ISBN: 978-0-7414-6475-0 Publisher: Infinity Publishing for more info: www.christopherholcroft.net Date of Review: Jan. 2012

Interview with Luke E. Hayes: Psychic Detective

Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Luke Edward Hays from North Chelmsford MA, United States of America Tell us the title and publisher of your book: “Outskirtspress” is a self publishing company I found through Google.com. They have been very helpful in providing affortable “Publishing Packages.” Tell us about yourself: I was born on March 29, 1991 in Dover New Hampshire, my family and I then moved to Chelmsford Mass where I now am currently living working on my literature and finding ways to market my work. When was the book released?: March 7, 2012 Give us an overview of your book. During the Spring of 1883, Pinkerton Detective Henry Larson leaves his home state of New York to travel to a town in California called Littleton to investigate the unsolved Grim Reaper case. With the victims hearts cut out of their bodies and many theories established by previous Detectives and Inspectors, Henry Larson has one advantage that the previous investigators didn't, his psychic ability. Through herbal tea and smoking the herb leaf in his pipe and using it as tobacco for cigarettes, Henry uses the herbs to clear his mind, giving him the power to see into the future through his dreams. But what he finds in the end is only a game of cat and mouse between him and the Grim Reaper. What inspired you to write this book? I love murder mysteries, some of my faviorite stories are the Connon Doyle “Sherlock Holmes” novels, “From Hell” with Johnny Depp (a murder mystery about Jack the Ripper), a fasination towards real life murders such as “The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacure” and in essinascene the dark side of human nature. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Too be honest I do not know how to answer this. Where can people buy your book? People can purcahse my literature on Amazon.com by searching the name of the book or my name where they can go to my author page where both my books are present. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am currently working on my third novel and I don’t expect it to be published for the next five years giver take. It is a large story and is going to take a lot of time and effort, espcially if you add in my editor’s editing time. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Find ways to get your work known, such as send out a massive email to all of your friends and relatives, don’t shut up about it on Facebook, create cards with the information about your novel and where to find it and give those out to people. Do internet searches for author interviews and most importantly, don’t give up. Eventually you will in due time become a well known writer. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: If I had published through a professional publisher I proballly would have a agent by now and would have book tours booked and I would most likely be writing fiction full time and living my American dream. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? I create cards with the names of my two novels with my name, where the novels are being sold, and what format like paperback and kindle. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found “Allbooks Reviews” through a site called “Writers in the Sky.” Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? No, the price was not a surprise. Ways to get in contact with literary agents. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book.

William Lyon Phelps quote:

"Every time your acquire a new interest, even more , an new accomplishment, you increase your power of life"

ADVICE FOR NEW AUTHORS

So you have written your first book, so first of all congratulations. Relish this moment before moving to step two. Now before you go any further have a friend or preferably, a professional read your manuscript to see if it is ready or needs a little more work. Is it a viable subject? Are your characters believable? Etc. Once you know you have a viable product, get it edited. This is the most important step. Your freshly edited manuscript is now ready for publishing. You can publish it very easily yourself into an ebook, via the internet. There are many, many sites offering self publishing at a very low cost. You can also produce a print version. A review is very important and can be done pre publishing, so that you can include part of it on your cover or immediately after publishing to promote the book to the masses. Good luck with your book and be sure to check out Allbooks Review International www.allbookreviewsint.com We offer editing, pre reads for new manuscripts,reviews and promotional packages.

Allbooks Review Int. sponsors review contest for Friday Kids Club

Award-winning North Gower author and reviewer, Emily-Jane Hills Orford is working with a group of creative young writers in Kanata, Ontario. These young writers belong to the Friday Kids Club. They are working on various writing projects including a book review challenge and competition sponsored by Allbook Reviews International. (www.allbookreviewsint.com This competition features the work of Dawn Beaumont Lane who generously supplied the students with copies of her book, "The Witch's Tale" for review. Author Dawn Beaumont Lane lives in Ontario, Canada. Originally from England, Dawn suffered the pains of dyslexia as a child. Having overcome this difficulty, she continues to write and encourages others with this learning disability to live their dream. Her first children’s story book was Fairy Glade and Other Enchanting Tales. We wish to thank Dawn for her generous donation of 12 books for our contest. Please look for copies of The Witch’s Tale on Amazon.com. www.Theebooksale.com, www.amazon.co.uk , Book stores ... Canada... Coles Books Store, Indigo/Chapters and US Barnes and Noble and Borders, in the UK at Waterstones. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you Shirley A. Roe Managing Editor,Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com More than 3000 hits per week We highly recommend you become a member of iFOGO. Just click this link to join. http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order_abr.html and another great author site you can join for free: www.independentauthornetwork.com

Allbooks Review International September 2012 Newsletter

Allbooks Review is the review and author promo source for POD AUTHORS as well as traditionally published authors. Authors around the world use our service.Great coverage for your book for twelve months +.Our complete review and author promotional package is less than $50.U.S Unbelievable value!! http://www.allbooksreviewint.com/ For complete details contact us. Success Stories Volume 2 of Write Like the Wind is out! Aaron Lazar This writing guide is a collection of articles I wrote over the past seven years for fiction writers of all levels. Whenever I stumbled across something in the writing process, whether it was new-to-me technical skills or promotional methods, I wanted to share them with my network of writing pals. I was driven to help new writers just as my mentors helped me in the beginning of my career. Sort of like paying it forward, you know? Now available on Amazon.com For Keeps by Aaron Lazar is now available on Amazon.com The dates of the free Kindle giveaway of FOR KEEPS are Sept 14, 15, 16 and Oct 12, 13 at this Amazon address: http://www.amazon.com/For-Keeps-Moore-mystery-ebook/dp/B008OXZLR2/ref=cm_rdp_product TIPS Tip: Media Exposure. There's a lesson here that can be applied by anyone seeking media exposure. First, identify your expertise - the special knowledge, insight and educated opinion that can serve as valuable content for journalists. Then: 1. Follow the news. Look for issues, trends and breaking news relevant to your topic that you can comment on as an expert. 2. Develop a message that offers something of value to the public. If you can help solve a problem, offer insight or depth, or clarify a complicated issue, you're providing valuable information. 3. Identify the local or national media venues that are a good match for your message. Read the columnists, watch and listen to the talk shows. Before you approach the journalists, know what their format is and the types of topics that interest them. 4. Never, ever pitch your company, product or service when contacting journalists. Offer yourself as an expert with solutions to problems their audience is concerned about. Otherwise, you'll be invited to buy an ad or commercial time. 5. Understand who their audience is so you can engage the editor or host. Don't overwhelm them with details, but make sure to give them the information they need to make a decision. FEATURE: How To Balance A Family, Your Writing Job, And Your Stresses By: Stan Popovich In can be difficult for adults to have to take care of their families and manage their writing careers. This can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. As a result, here are a few steps in how to do take care of your family and your writing career without getting stressed. Try to set goals for yourself when you manage your family or writing career. When you go to work each day, try to set some goals for you to accomplish. For instance, let’s say your goal for today is to finish the report that your boss wants. At the end of the day, you will feel better about yourself knowing that you were able to finish that report. When you accomplish these smaller goals, you will feel happier, more confident, and less stressed. Delegate part of your responsibilities. When taking care of the family, get your spouse to help out. If your kids are older, get them to assist you. If you are at work, only take on what you can handle. Don’t try to do everything all at once. Learn to delegate and work with other people. If you try to do everything, you will get stressed and anxious. A person can only do so much in a given day. Do not everything. Learn to manage your responsibilities. If you feel like your doing too much, then take a break and evaluate your situation. Try to do things in terms of their importance. Let’s say that you have to clean the living room, go to the supermarket, and wash the dishes. Go to the supermarket since this is the most important thing that needs done. Do the other two tasks later on. Determine what needs done right now and do those particular tasks in order of importance. Managing your family and career does not have to very stressful. Learn to budget your time and manage your tasks. Eventually, you will be able to balance your career and family. If you still have trouble, then talk to a professional who can give you additional advice. Biography: Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com. Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Please state your name and location. (city and State or Province, Country) Jan Musil Austin, Texas, USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: Welcome to Sarnia Self-Published Tell us about yourself: As to who I am, US Navy veteran, disenchanted ex-corporate middle manager and long time entrepreneur covers the ground fairly well. I owned a pair of Southwestern Gift and Jewelry stores here in Austin, Texas for many years. Since then I assisted in getting a pair of high tech start up companies up and functioning. In 2008, as I was wrapping up my portion of the latest new venture I realized that a previous idea for a computer game would make an excellent starting place for a book. Living in Austin and associating with all the programmers in town it is easy to get enthused and say, hey we can do better than those guys did. Which may or may not be true, but finding adequate money to actually do so is a far from trivial challenge. Developing the idea as a book was not though and pursuing the project would allow me to exercise my storytelling skills. And yes, while I might not have a million of them, I can share lots of stories. A lifetime of practice so to speak. Once embarked on the project it quickly became clear that I could not do justice to the ideas underlying life on Sarnia in a single book. After a few more months of work there was enough outlined material to do five books. As I progressed in writing the tale the material eventually became the seven book, two saga total listed for the series concerning life on Sarnia. When was the book released? Ebook March 2012 Hardback and Paperback July 2012 Give us an overview of your book. I think the blurb for the book (see below) provides an accurate description of the starting point for the Planet Sarnia series. ‘Welcome to Sarnia’ is quite literally an entertaining welcome, or introduction for the reader, to the planet Sarnia. The Planet Sarnia series details my effort to explore the many interactions between seven intelligent species living on Sarnia after the Terrans have lost their gamble. In their desire to expand Terrans decided that the risks involved in capturing and colonizing the planet known as Sarnia were well worth incurring. A mere forty years on they lost that gamble. Big time. 136 years later, many things have changed. Some never do. Putting this another way, the Planet Sarnia series of books allows me to compare and contrast Terrans/Humans with half-a-dozen intelligent alien species, all within a large, dangerous and interesting alien environment. And while I was writing, I discovered myself asking of the characters on Sarnia, and taking a stab at providing an answer to, a question. Why do we value courage so much? What inspired you to write this book? In the summer of 2008 I realized that an idea of mine that had originally been inspired by an ‘I can think up a better MMORPG moment than this game’ would serve far better as inspiration for a book than a computer game. A book idea that quickly became a trilogy and within a year had grown to a series. How is your book different from other books in this genre? I believe Planet Sarnia will stand up very well as an independent creation of universe building. In addition, the level of engagement of the reader with the character is far more up close and personal than most books that tackle universe building. As an author, I am trying to put the reader ‘in the characters space’ and allowing them to make what they will of what they have read. I am not trying to write a ‘big idea’ book, at least not directly. I much prefer to allow the reader to chose his or her own moments of enjoyment, laughter, or thought as appreciated by each individual. I would like to add, that I have gotten a lot of enjoyment from the tale as I have been writing it. Hopefully readers of ‘Welcome to Sarnia’ will find multiple opportunities to experience the same enjoyment. Where can people buy your book? The ebook is available at Amazon, including Amazon (UK), Barnes & Noble, the itunes bookstore, Smashwords and Lulu. The physical books are available from Amazon, Lulu and bookstores utilizing Lulu’s Global Reach program to produce a copy of a book at the bookstore. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? Yes, I am a long ways along on the second book of the series, ‘Through The Hills’, and intend to publish it sometime in 2013. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Be persistent. Lots and lots of persistence is a necessity to deal with the many little snags that arise. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? As a beginner to the process I am not sure I have any pearls of wisdom to share yet. Perhaps a year from now. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? Independent Author Network Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The cost of Allbooks Reviews was a very pleasant surprise. I will be better able to answer the second question next year, after having gotten some experience under my belt. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. www.allboooksreviewint.com

INTERVIEW with author Linda Lee Greene

Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: posted on site Please state your name and location. (City and State or Province, Country) Linda Lee Greene, Columbus, Ohio, USA Tell us the title and publisher of your book: GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS, published by Saga Books Tell us about yourself: I am the divorced mother of Frank and Elizabeth, as well as grandmother of Alixander and Noah. I work for a firm in Columbus as an interior designer. I am also an award-winning artist, and a best-selling author. Much of my artwork can be viewed at www.gallery-llgreene.com. In early 1992, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease and because of it, I was often bedridden for months at a time. Five months prior to the surgery in January, 2001 that saved my life and put the disease in remission, while homebound again with the illness, I wrote the original draft of my first book, the historical/suspense novel, Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, a book that ultimately was a co-authorship with Debra Shiveley Welch. Although in the distant past both Debra and I had done some work-related public relations and newspaper writing, at the time that I approached Debra about working with me on Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams we could only have been characterized as possessing intuitive, yet inexperienced, writing talent. Both of us worked very hard at honing our craft during our four-year collaboration on the manuscript, and as a result we produced not only the first book that either Debra or I had ever written, but also an Amazon best-seller upon its release in 2006. While Debra continued to pursue a literary career, I was dealing with a diagnosis of macular degeneration, a situation that made it necessary for me to concentrate on my art career while my eyesight was still able to withstand an energetic painting schedule. Consequently, I devoted myself to executing enough artwork to support my agenda of yearly art shows, as well as my art web site and the print sales it generates. When taking breathers from the painting, I conducted the extensive research required for GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS and its sequel that will be published in the future, and wrote the first draft of both of them, as well as my two sequels to Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams. However, I withheld submitting any of my manuscripts to my publisher until I was able to allocate the necessary time to promoting my books. In February, 2011, I made the transition to full-time writer and occasional painter. It was then that I sent GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS to my publisher. Since the day that I wrote the opening sentence of Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, my greatest, and most precious dream, has been to be an author whose books are anticipated and loved by innumerable readers. I knew that I was taking a tremendous risk in never realizing my dream when I put my literary career on hold for so long, but my heart told me that in so doing I was on the right side of my fate, and that somehow, and in some way, it would prove beneficial for me. This year I will reach my 69th birthday. There could not a better birthday gift for me than to have GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS bring joy to a multitude of readers this year, and for countless years to come. When was the book released?: GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS was released in May, 2012. Give us an overview of your book. Through faith in God, love for one another and inherent optimism, in this novel that “will truly exhaust your heart and play with your feelings,” as described by a reviewer, two American families find joy and purpose in living despite the personal tragedies and limited opportunities that beset them during the Great Depression and World War II. Inspired by a true story and interwoven with descriptive and heartwarming authentic personal letters written to one another by the book’s characters, GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS is said by a reviewer to be like “discovering an old chest in an attic, filled with the treasured pieces of a family’s history.” A reviewer also states that “…the walk through the years in the old letters and Greene’s superb and powerful depiction of historical events of the 1930s and 1940s make this book an engaging historical treasure.” What inspired you to write this book? The book is based on the colorful and captivating overlapping oral and written histories of my maternal and paternal families of origin. However, I wrote it as fiction to accomplish a broader range of characterizations and topics than is to be found in the family record. My parents grew up during the Great Depression, and I was born during the Second World War, therefore I have always been drawn to the histories of those eras. How is your book different from other books in this genre? Threaded among the pages of the book are transcriptions of authentic letters dating from 1936 to 1941 that were written to one another by the book’s characters, “immediately making the novel more intriguing and private to read,” states a reviewer. In many ways this book carries on the tradition of Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation and Tim Russert’s Wisdom of Our Fathers in that it is replete with authentic stories and documents of the times. GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS is different in that its storyline and the old letters included in it are seamlessly drawn together to create a cohesive unit. Although it is mainly categorized as Historical Fiction, I am told that it is also such a captivating Family Saga that people forget they are reading history. In addition, the entire cover of the book is executed from my painting of a grove of trees in Southern Ohio where the story takes place. Great Ohio woodlands of the type are an important ingredient of the story. GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS is the perfect gift for lovers of tender and delightful family stories as well as for history buffs. Through the pages of this book, our grandparents, parents and others who experienced firsthand the momentous years of the Great Depression and World War II will be transported back to those times, as well. Where can people buy your book? Paperback and eBooks versions are available at www.amazon.com. Paperbacks can be purchased at www.barnes&noble.com, www.SagaBooks.com and at other online booksellers. Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published? I am currently working on the sequel to GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS, a book of non-fiction to be released in 2014. The title of the book is “I Received Your Letter…” and it comprises authentic letters written by members of my family for the duration of World War II. Woven among the letters is my chronological commentary on the war, as well as old photos and other historical documents amassed by my family during that era. I have recently penned a small book for young readers titled Bussy Gaffin and His Champion Roosters. It is a story inspired by an excerpt from GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS. Integral to the story will be several illustrations. At this point, its publication date depends on the efficient execution of the artwork. I have written two sequels to Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams under my own signature. The manuscripts are currently in queue with my publisher and scheduled for release sometime in 2013. The titles of the books are “My ‘Aumakua” [In Hawaiian, “A Guardian Spirit”] which is a murder mystery, and Garden of the Spirits of the Pots, a book about an expat-American who finds new meaning in life, as well as love, during a spiritual odyssey in Australia. Information about my current and future books, as well as excerpts from them, can be read at my web site: booksbylindaleegreene.gallery-llgreene.com. If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers? Although self publishing is growing in popularity among writers, I doubt that I will ever try it. I am not good at multi-tasking, and it seems to me that one must possess this quality in abundance to be successful at self publishing. If published traditionally, tell us how you benefited: I find the business side of being a successful author to be troublesome, as well as detrimental to my creative processes. I prefer to focus on the writing and to delegate as much of the business side of it as possible. Traditional publishing helps me in this regard. Can you share one of your marketing successes with us? Even though GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS has only been available for three months, it is inspiring a dynamic word-of-mouth following. A daily web presence in as many places as possible is essential. How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us? I found Allbooks Reviews through Saga Books publishers and I am tremendously happy with the wonderful review that Iris Park of Allbooks Reviews did for GUARDIANS AND OTHER ANGELS. I am so impressed with the organization that I am preparing to sign on for one of its affordable advertising campaigns. Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers? The low cost is definitely a relief to my pocketbook. I am a new consumer of these kinds of products, but I am grateful to have found Allbooks Reviews for I am confident it will open up new worlds to me in the art of bookselling. Thank you for this interview and best of luck with your book. Your good wishes are greatly appreciated. Thank you for this opportunity. I also want to express my deep gratitude to the readers who embrace my stories. I will try my best to continue to earn, and to justify, their loyalty to me. Reader comments are extremely important to me and they can be submitted at lindaleegreene.author.artist@gmail.com. I can also be reached at the same email address to make arrangements for interviews, talks with book clubs and other organizations, as well as participation in book fairs, book signings and special events. In addition, people can check in with me at my blog: http://Ingoodcompanyohio.blogspot.com