Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) Karen Anna Vogel Guest Post

Karen Anna Vogel, author of Amish Knitting Circle, will be partnering with Christian Aid Ministries, an Amish and Mennonite charity in Berlin, OH. In all of Karen’s books there’s an Amish knitting circle. The women in her upcoming novel, Knit Together, will be making mittens for children in Eastern European orphanages. A pattern for mittens will be in the book and readers will be invited to make mittens. Christian Aid Ministries has agreed to collect and distribute these mittens all over Eastern Europe.
“Orphanages are overcrowded in Romania, Ukraine, and Russia and winters are severe and deadly.” Karen said. “My knitting teacher, Susan Grim, owner of SuzyB Knits, came up with the idea, but neither of us has the time to box up mittens to send around the world. We’re thrilled Christian Aid Ministries has agreed to partner with us.”
If you’ve never heard about Christian Aid Ministries, here’s some info:
Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) is a worldwide Amish and Mennonite charitable organization run by volunteers that log in over 200,000 hours of work a year. Annual donations made by mostly “plain people” are $116,168,060, according to Charity Navigator. BUT 98.8% of this money actually goes to ward relief efforts in the US and around the world. (Some charitable organizations give less than 70% to their actual cause) CAM is run by a volunteer board and has only three paid positions, the top CEO making $45,895 a year. CAM has staff, bases and distribution networks in Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Haiti, Nicaragua, Liberia and Israel.

Lee Child "The Affair"

Okay, I can hear you groan from over here, I am a homer for Lee Child’s writing. I know, so what, the man can just write. I totally loved this novel from start to finish. The flashback into Reacher’s life and what catapulted him into his nomad existence is an intense read. The layers of this novel, the deception and nest of lies were fun to read as it unfolded. Very few authors can deliver a read like this: the detail, the minutia, the small bread crumbs of fact smattered with the fog of deception. Hopefully one day I will get to interview him, a simple blogger can dream, can’t he?
Here is the synopsis:
“Everything starts somewhere. . . .For elite military cop Jack Reacher, that somewhere was Carter Crossing, Mississippi, way back in 1997. A lonely railroad track. A crime scene. A cover up. A young woman is dead, and solid evidence points to a soldier at a nearby military base. But that soldier has powerful friends in Washington. Reacher is ordered undercover—to find out everything he can, to control the local police, and then to vanish. Reacher is a good soldier. But when he gets to Carter Crossing, he finds layers no one saw coming, and the investigation spins out of control. Local sheriff Elizabeth Deveraux has a thirst for justice—and an appetite for secrets. Uncertain they can trust one another, Reacher and Deveraux reluctantly join forces. Reacher works to uncover the truth, while others try to bury it forever. The conspiracy threatens to shatter his faith in his mission, and turn him into a man to be feared.”

New Kids on The Rock Mark Miller

I enjoy sharing stuff to read with my younger kids. This is such a story. In fact this is something that besides being an enjoyable read is also educational, and we can all use a bit of that on occasion can’t we? I like the mix, and it fits right in, it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Mark Miller has introduced some nice characters, doesn’t speak down to a soul, and carries off a very difficult high wire act. That for me is a bargain at any price, this just happens to be $.99.
Check out what is inside:
“Another in the Trestle Press Digital Short Story Cliffhanger Series:
Star athlete Josh and computer prodigy Madison are recruited by the mysterious Mr. Crux to attend a special summer camp. The two elementary school kids then begin the adventure of a lifetime. They discover that the Small World Global Protection Agency is a network of talented and skilled children in countries all over the world. Their mission is to help other kids and save the day when adults can’t.
In Case File: 001-A, New Kids on the Rock, Josh and Madison start their adventure with the Global Protection Agency. Their first mission takes them to Australia to help teen pop singer Ja-Naya and discover what her evil manager, Feeble Bix is up to. Their counterparts, Mick and Kim, are ready for action as they head across the Outback.
The Small World Global Protection Agency is an adventure serial aimed at third through fifth grade readers. Each volume will take Josh and Madison to a different country. The stories will be entertaining, sometimes suspenseful, sometimes humorous. Each story will introduce facts about other countries and cultures, educating the reader through the eyes of children their own age while having fun.
Mark currently resides in Florida with his family. He strives to follow in the footsteps of his namesake, Mark Twain.
Mark’s father was a newspaper writer and editor for both the Kansas City Star and Kansan. Mark received his Bachelor’s Degree in Film from the University of Kansas. He has been influenced by great stories from C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien and Star Wars.
Mark is the author of The Empyrical Tales. Book I: The Fourth Queen and Book II: The Lost Queen are available now. Book III: The Secret Queen is coming Spring 2012. Mark is also the creator of the spiritual eBook series “Mark Miller’s One”. The first story, “Meant To Be”, tells how he met his wife.
Mark believes being a father of four makes him uniquely qualified to write his stories. He also has spent time in the classroom with third, fourth and fifth graders.”

Christian/Inspirational authors panel today at 5.30pm EST on The G-ZONE

The week just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Today I have at least three authors on the blogtalk radio show at 5.30 pm EST today. They are in no particular order: Karen Anna Vogel, Karen Malena and Roger Rheinheimer. Will we have fun, you bet, that was a bad question.
Karen Anna Vogel is the author of the hugely successful “Amish Knitting Circle” digital short story series. Her first one “Beginnings-Volume 1”, hit Number One on the Amazon Kindle charts for short stories. Not in its category, for all of Kindle, Number One in the world. Not too shabby. She releases Volume 4 today, “Snowflakes”. There will be a major announcement regarding her and her work during the show.
Here is her something on “Amish Knitting Circle” and about Karen Anna Vogel:
“Granny Weaver is praying for five women in her Old Order Amish community in Smicksburg, PA., but nothing seems to be happening. Spinning wool one day she ponders the fact that fibers wrapped around each other make a yarn that’s hard to break. Maybe the women she sees unraveling need to be spun together so they don’t break.
So Granny starts a knitting circle to make items for tornado victims in Joplin, MO. She invites Maryann who looks too tired and needs a break from her eight children. Ella seems mighty down since a doctor told her she can’t have children. Emma feels she’ll never get married because of her weight. Ruth has been depressed since the day she got married and won’t tell anyone why. Elizabeth never married to take care of her handicapped father, but others suspects she has a broken heart over a broken courtship.
Over the course of a year these women open up at the knitting circle. Their hearts are encouraged, being knit together in love as they face trials and troubles…together.”
About Karen Anna Vogel:
A trusted English friend among Amish in Western PA and Western NY, my four grown children call me an ‘Amish Addict.’ My husband of thirty years shares my addiction. Our Old Order Amish friends have taken us back to a time when life was slower. Slow enough to enjoy our faith, family and friends. Slow enough to make me relax and join a knitting circle and learn to spin wool. Wanting to share what I’ve learned from these gentle people led me to write Amish fiction. I’m represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency and blog under Amish Crossings: http://karenannavogel.blogspot.com/ Member of Pittsburgh East Scribes and ACFW. “
Karen Malena:
“ Coming from an old-fashioned Italian family in Southwestern Pennsylvania, I learned passion and love, anger and forgiveness. Faith in God has sustained me through many ups and downs. This roller coaster of life has given me the imagination to put pen to paper.
This story is dedicated to my son, Matt, who has struggled with his own issues of low self-worth, and overcome them.”
Roger Rheinheimer
“Ava Troyer never really considered the possibility of life outside of the warm, protective Amish community. Even during her state-mandated schooling through the eighth grade, she would dreamily fantasize about whether any of the other Amish boys in the history class right after lunch was going to be the father of her children, or if she would meet the man of her dreams from another state, an exciting possibility. But the wreck that killed her father and almost killed Ava, that early Sunday morning, at the hands of an all-night reveler, changed everything. The young man in military fatigues that pulled her to safety spoke Pennsylvania Dutch to her, but he wasn’t Amish. Or was he? And how could she be so powerfully attracted to a young man about to go overseas to war, something she fiercely believed was wrong?”
Roger Rheinheimer spent the first eighteen years of his life in northern Indiana. His father was the only doctor for a small town of 1200, and had a hitching rail on a side street by his office for the Amish patients. His father bought an eighty acre farm, and Roger and his older brother worked it, raising cattle and growing crops.
While he was still in high school, Roger learned woodworking skills from Elmer Schlabach, his Amish mentor. They built houses in the old-fashioned tradition, from hand-mixing the concrete for the foundations to hand-nailing the shingles. The only phase they did not do was the electrical. To this day, Roger enjoys using his wood crafting skills, making acoustic guitars and furniture.
Roger earned an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Psychology from a small private college in the Shenandoah Valley, took a Creative Writing class, loved it, and published a short story called My Brother. He was a regular contributing writer to the college newspaper.
Roger has two novels in print and ebook, Amish Snow and Yield Spread: a novel. “

Michael Tabman new series with Trestle Press “Bad Intent”

I was really pumped to hear that an author with Michael Tabman’s background has signed with Trestle Press to do an incredible series wrapped around the world of FBI undercover work. The work is so real and authentic that before it can even be edited, it must first be vetted by the FBI itself to be sure that nothing of a secret or sensitive nature be released. As a reader that has me amped up. I am looking forward to listening to what he, Michael Tabman, has to say as he is part of the first panel I have this week on the G-ZONE, my blogtalk radio show. More on that later. Below is the synopsis for “Bad Intent” and his bio. There is great stuff coming from this series; my suggestion is to get in on it early.

Synopsis for “Bad Intent” and Michael Tabman bio:
“ An FBI Agent. A New York City Detective. Cocaine flooding the streets. Colombian Cartels in control.
The Mob has been cut out. Someone must be killed. Everybody has a motive. Nobody can be trusted.
Born and raised in New York City, Michael served as a police officer with the Fairfax County VA police department on patrol, in plain clothes and as hostage negotiator on the SWAT Team, before joining the FBI. Michael, a 24 year FBI veteran, investigated crimes ranging from white collar to bank robberies, organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering. He rose through the ranks reaching the level of Special Agent in Charge. His professional travels took him to Israel, Russia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. He has been interviewed and quoted on national and local media on matters ranging from workplace violence to fraud and street crimes.
Michael is the author of two books, Walking the Corporate Beat: Police School for Business People and crime novel, Midnight Sin.
He has a Crime and Security Blog and can be followed on Twitter @MichaelTabman Please visit www.michaeltabman.com “

Davis Bunn, Q&A

On Sunday, October 30, @ 12.30 pm EST I will have the pleasure and honor to interview two great authors, Nigel Bird and Davis Bunn. Here is the Q&A I have for Davis Bunn. Look for Nigel Bird’s soon.
Q & A with Davis Bunn
Though you have published two dozen novels, Lion of Babylon seems to be a seminal work for you. Tell us where the idea began and how all the complexities of the story came together.
While crafting Lion of Babylon, I was repeatedly struck by how I had spent much of my life in preparation for this joyful task. During my earlier career in the business world, I worked four years for a company in which I was the only non-Muslim in the company’s entire management. I studied with an imam for a while to better understand their history, culture, and religious beliefs.
That job caused me to travel often to Africa, Asia, and almost every country in the Middle East, revealing the very distinct divisions represented by the word Muslim, which to most Westerners conjures up only images of terrorists and violence.
So Lion of Babylon has been at work in my heart and head for a while. Along with visits to the region, I have friends and acquaintances both in the U.S. and other countries who have been invaluable resources for “insider information” on government policies, national security, religious issues, cultural norms, the setting, and so on—all the parts and pieces that go into creating authentic characters and plot.
The original title of this novel was The Green Zone. Why the change to Lion of Babylon? What is the historical significance of the title?
Just as I was completing the first draft of my novel, the film Green Zone was released. Nothing could have been further from what I hoped to achieve in my story. Everyone at Bethany House Publishers who saw the film agreed. There was no question. The name had to be altered.
Lion of Babylon is an expression from the very early days of human history, around the time that Abraham was instructed by God to leave the idolatrous land of Ur. The title Lion of Babylon comes from that same period, derived from the epic poem Gilgamesh. It refers to a hero of the people, one who can be trusted to see them through perilous times. What better way to describe the gift that Jesus holds.
Have you personally witnessed or experienced reconciliation between Muslims and Christians? Or is the reconciliation that occurs in Lion of Babylon wishful thinking?
This sort of reconciliation goes on every day. And to witness this, especially by someone who knows first-hand the tragic conflict threatening to overwhelm these countries, is nothing short of miraculous. And yet it happens, over and over and over. And each time it occurs, it is living testimony to the power of faith in Jesus.
You have a passion for faith-based peace initiatives. How did that passion play into the writing of Lion of Babylon?
The role I play is very small, compared to the amazing and heroic work done by others. But it has remained something very dear to me, and perhaps someday I might take on a greater responsibility. The entire effort, which is taking place in every country in the Middle East and North Africa, comes down to the simple act of bringing the presence of Jesus into the heart of these discussions.
Did you have other motives for writing a book of this nature?
I can still remember the first time I saw Lawrence of Arabia, and all the mysterious beauty of this region came to life. Ever since I began writing, I have sought to reveal some small fragment of the wonder and astonishing richness I have discovered through my own travels. This certainly played a role in shaping this story.
Tell us about your process of writing Lion of Babylon?
This is the first time I have based a story upon my experiences of working and living in the Middle East. I wrote the outline over a six month period, coming back to it time and again between other projects.
My desire was to have half the story told from the point of view of an Arab Christian. I asked myself:
• What does it mean to live as a member of a minority faith?
• What are the current circumstances faced by such a person and their family?
In order for such issues to NOT get in the way of the overall story, I needed to grow utterly comfortable with this man, his world, and his ‘skin’, during the outlining phase of the writing process.
Then I just sat on it for months, knowing I needed something more, but not sure what it was. Finally I showed it to my editors at Bethany House Publishers. It was only when I received their feedback that I felt the book begin to genuinely solidify.
In general, the crucial change between outline and first draft is the climax. I have never had my first vision of the climax actually become the book’s culmination. Lion of Babylon is no exception. As usual, what I envisioned as the climax actually became one of the crucial moments LEADING to the climax. I find I like this uncertainty, this unexpectedness. If I don’t know, the reader normally can’t anticipate.
Where do you write – an attic, a nook, or an office?
My writing life is focused upon solitude. Because of this, I like to have a broad open space before me. My desk faces a window, and the window looks out over sky. I had a dear friend once, another author, who said he couldn't stand such a position; he would not ever get anything done. I feed off the sky.
You have been referred to as the ‘Gentleman Adventurer’, Davis. How did that description come to be?
I suppose it is because of my background and varied interests. Raised in North Carolina, my post-college years landed me in Europe, where I earned graduate degrees in finance and economics. My career in the business world took me to over forty countries on every continent, providing opportunities for hiking and skiing in the Alps or surfing off the coast of Africa.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up in a southern family with unquestioned involvement in church as an important part of our lives. It wasn’t until I was 28, though, and running a business advisory group in Germany, that I met someone who opened the Scriptures up for me. I discovered that one could have more than simply a nodding acquaintance with Jesus. Two weeks later I began writing, and it has remained my passion and calling ever since.
Your writing also has been a journey. You wrote for nine years and produced seven manuscripts before the first one was accepted for publication. How were you able to retain your passion during that time?
I admit it was not easy, and I could have given up at many points along the way. But probably the most significant event was meeting someone who believed in me and my creative gifts. A lawyer, this friend offered to represent my work and find a publishing home for me. That occurred with the release of my first novel, The Presence, and I very wisely married her!
Isabella is an acclaimed attorney, doing work for the UN related to human rights and ethics, but she also is a beloved wife and partner with me on the writing. Her touch in some way appears in everything I write.
What is the take-away message you want readers to receive after reading your book?
Lion of Babylon is being called a thriller, and I do hope readers experience a ride they won’t forget. Beyond that, though, my desire is that readers will have a new understanding and appreciation of West versus East, of the highly complex issues related to the United States’ involvement in Iraq and Iran, and possibly a new way of thinking about solutions for peace in the Mideast.
I feel that we as believers need to glimpse a world beyond the dark headlines and the fearful strife. We need to gain a higher perspective. I would so very much like to have this story help readers rise up to a new vision of this region. One where Jesus reigns.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website, blog, and interactive discussion group are at www.davisbunn.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davis-Bunn-author/134762129885578
Twitter: @davisbunn - http://twitter.com/davisbunn

John Sandford "Shock Wave"

Virgil Flowers is one of my favorite characters and I love what he does in this , the fifth, stand alone. He is very much Virgil, but a different side of him, more introspective, a bit deeper, more thought out , and definitely a ton of fun. The backdrop to all this is something most readers can appreciate: the angst behind a huge mega store coming in and crushing a community and its businesses. Using that, John Sandford again hits all the right notes and takes us the reader on nice wild ride .The motivations of the community, who really is the bomber, and a great social networking experiment to help find the killer. Would you take part in it? Me, I don’t think so, not my gig diming out my neighbor, whether they make bombs or not. Who else am I going to borrow sugar from in the future, who knows what may be in it if I did.I for one am glad this came buy when it did, now I need my Davenport and company fix. Can’t wait.
Here is what you are in for if you crack this open:
“Talk about risky business.
The superstore chain PyeMart has its sights set on a Minnesota river town, but two very angry groups want to stop it: the local merchants fearing for their businesses, and the environmentalists predicting ecological disaster. The protests don't seem to be slowing the project down, though, until someone decides to take matters into his own hands.
The first bomb goes off on the top floor of PyeMart's headquarters. The second one explodes at the construction site itself. The blasts are meant to inflict maximum damage—and they do. Who's behind the bombs and how far will they go? It's Virgil Flowers's job to find out . . . before more people get killed.”

Karen Malena "Son of Mine"

Are you looking for a read that is really going to tug at your heart strings, inspire you, and possibly even bring you to tears? Okay here you go, “Son of Mine” is the novella to do just that. This is a work of fiction but it born from first hand life experience by the author, but then again many times that is the way it is for an author. Life speaks to them and then they mold it, shape it, and put the spin on it so we the reader have an emotional experience.
“Son of Mine” is a very layered and moving read. It delves into emotions and places in the heart and mind that strikes to the essence and core of our humanity. Personally I wasn’t expecting the range of emotions I went through when I read it. I am not going to give anything away in this post, but just be ready for this to burrow deep into your person and touch you. Having had discussions with the author in an attempt to get her on my blogtalk radio show The G-ZONE, and to get her to pop us with a guest post here at Gelati’s Scoop, I have been told she is hard at work on her next story; look for it soon.
Here is what you can expect from this read:
“Coming from an old-fashioned Italian family in Southwestern Pennsylvania, I learned passion and love, anger and forgiveness. Faith in God has sustained me through many ups and downs. This roller coaster of life has given me the imagination to put pen to paper.
This story is dedicated to my son, Matt, who has struggled with his own issues of low self-worth, and overcome them.”

Big Daddy Abel Open Mic Volume 5

If you have been following this digital short series, that is your basic stream of consciousness from a very caring human being, you have noticed the size of Open Mic volume 5 is a bit larger, almost twice the size for the same price. To know BDA is to love him; he wears his heart on his sleeve, and this installment is no exception. He was pretty bent back in late August when he was just done writing this and then he lost it to the thieves and gremlins of cyberspace. Since then he has been trying to reconstruct the feel of it. He felt it was his best work to date, which says a lot. I for one am glad he got the opportunity to finally finish it; he is one busy guy.

Open Mic 5 is pure straight up BDA at his best. He dives right into the major topics of today, giving his bent on many issues, and he hits the mark time after time after time. His care for others, the environment, basically for the world we inhabit just pours out of his person into the virtual pages. He imbues his spirit into every word and sentence. If you haven’t had a chance to get a read on this series, please grab Open Mic Volume One, start at the beginning, and find out why this series is so popular. By the way, Open Mic Volumes One through Four were at one time ranked 1,2,3,and 7 in their category on Amazon Kindles Top 100.Open Mic Volume One received 53 ratings. I think it is safe to say that it is a no brainer dropping the $.99 on this.

Karen Anna Vogel “Amish Knitting Circle- Thanksgiving- Volume Three”

I need to be serious with this one. I usually joke about the Amish and my love for them. I don’t want to take away from what is going on here with this series and just talk about the facts jack. This is the third installment in the “Amish Knitting Circle” Series. The first two are called “Beginnings” and “Wedding Season”. To discuss sales for a moment, I need to say thanks to everyone that has been nice enough to support this series, both volume one and volume two are ranked extremely high on Amazon Kindle and the sales position for both overall is under 900.Not bad considering there are at this point one million Kindle titles. Now for some even better news: Karen Anna Vogel is going to be releasing a Full Length Novel of the “Amish Knitting Circle”, which will be released by early November.
The story itself for me is saturated with care and compassion. I know fancy words for a guy that also likes to read about things that go boom. That for me though is the gist of it, the “circle” is genuine, it is tangible, it is real, and Karen Anna Vogel brings that home with her rich content and prose. She has that ring of authenticity throughout; she is not what some call a “poser”. Vogel is the real deal, getting her juice right from the vine, her Amish friends. Authenticity is the key here. Her care and understanding of the Amish lifestyle and her respect for their way of simple life rooted in their faith make this series the success that it is. I for one am glad I have become hooked on this digital short story series. Why not join me, it is worth the ride.
Here is the synopsis for the story on “Thanksgiving”:
“A Trestle Press original digital short story series…Amish Knitting Circle…Volume 3…Thanksgiving
Granny Weaver knew if she brought five women together in a knitting circle, they’d be spun together, just like the wool she spins. But what she didn’t know was that her nerves would be unraveled by caring so much. She suspected Ruth had marital problems, but she never suspected abuse. Fannie’s poor body image is deeper than she thought. And what did her son do years ago to cause Lizzie such pain? But Granny smiles when Ella decided to look into foster care, coming to terms with her infertility by the help of the knitting circle. And she isn’t the only one prodding Maryann to go to the doctor for her severe fatigue and dizzy spells; the tight knit group of women all urge her, too.
In the Thanksgiving edition, lots of men are off working in Smicksburg, PA, since they work for English logging companies. Ella makes a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to give thanks, but also so the men can have a word with Ruth’s husband. A rebuke is washed down better after a good meal. Then the women all go Black Friday shopping for their winter craft supplies and sewing materials, but this turns into a nightmare for Granny. Lots of things are uncovered that cause her to sit in her rocker that night and pray more “Casting Off Prayers”. But she smiles, knowing carrying one another’s burdens pleases her Lord.”

"New Kids on The Rock" Mark Miller's new Children's Digital Short Story Series

Mark Miller teams with Trestle Press once again to deliver Small World Global Protection Agency.
This new series is aimed at Young Readers anywhere from 3rd to 6th grade and will be available only in eBook from Trestle Press. The monthly short stories will be reminiscent of the adventure serials of the 1940’s with a contemporary setting. Each episode will feature two ten-year-olds, Josh and Madison, as they secretly work for the high-tech, international Global Protection Agency to keep the world safe. The short stories will come in a two-part “cliffhanger” style and expose readers to interesting facts and details of the countries Josh and Madison visit. At the end of each two-part story, there will also be Points to Ponder: five questions or discussion starters to keep parents involved with their young readers!
Miller is the author of The Empyrical Tales fantasy adventure series. Book I: The Fourth Queen and Book II: The Lost Queen are available now from Comfort Publishing and Book III: The Secret Queen is coming Spring 2012. From Trestle Press, Miller heads the spiritual anthology Mark Miller’s One and has worked with Giovanni Gelati in the Author’s Lab collaboration A Prince in Trenton, Seriously? Miller has also written the adaptation of the faith-based movie Daniel’s Lot, available from Trestle Press as well. He is a father of four with a background in elementary education and film.

David P. Holmes “Loose Gravel”

Dysfunctional families, grizzled detectives, and plenty of mayhem await the readers of this roller coaster ride. Love to hate a busted up detective that has more fractures and fault lines than an old cracked, weathered paint job, complete with lead based paint. Ingestion of which could cause brain damage. I think you get the surreal picture here. Be prepared and fore warned; it is not your normal middle of the road read. Like its character, it strays off the beaten path quite a bit and takes a load of chances. I personally like to be challenged as a reader, do you?
Here is the synopsis:
“Welcome to the dark world of Harold Bruntz, a thirty-year veteran of the Minneapolis police force. Detective Bruntz is tenacious about bringing justice to the streets he works. His methods of exacting righteousness can be brutal, illegal, unethical, and quite often deadly. He is overweight, a drunken slob, and has no hygienic values. Up to now, the only thing he cared about was cheap whiskey, cheap cigars, and his cheap woman. This case will overturn Harold’s sordid life, adding one element he was not prepared for. In Loose Gravel, Harold confronts the most evil and sinister product of the devil’s loins, Leonid Cherasky, a sadistic Russian underworld mob boss. Bodies are piling up around Bruntz, and Cherasky must be taken down before there can be closure on the mess. Dealing with a psychotic killer, a mother and daughter bent on destroying each other, and dirty politics in the squad room, Harold puts his own life on the line for a woman who wants nothing to do with him. "
About the Author
“Born on the South side of Minneapolis, a very long time ago, I learned how to navigate the streets and alleys, looking for and finding, trouble. I slept through most of my education in the old West High School. It's been torn down since, and I hope I had nothing to do with that. Twelfth grade was a snoozer, except for a gifted English teacher who woke me up. Ms Westby taught me the wonders of literature, and pushed me into becoming a voracious reader. It was then I discovered that the reward for reading, was writing. Writing anything about everything was an escape into unknown worlds, where my curiosity met with creativity. My professional life was spent writing technical treatise for industry. Telling people how to put tab A into slot B was mundane at best, but educational. Being married to my own Comedy Central, my wife Smedly has kept me in stitches and in love. Somehow, I talked her into buying a restaurant at one time, and after five hectic years we were still talking to each other. How could you love any more than that? Needing another challenge, we built our cabin in the pine infested woods near Milaca, Minnesota. Having a love affair with nature, it was easy to pick my literary venue of the spectacular North Shore and Arrowhead region of Minnesota. The power and raw beauty of this imposing spectacle becomes the backdrop for many of my stories.”

Pat Lawrence "Jarred into Being"

I am always a sucker for a good collaboration. I know you only see one name here, but if you read a guest post I had up for “Pat Lawrence” recently you would know that the name is a mixture of both a husband and a wife; they are a team, a dynamic duo of sorts. “Jarred into Being” is a really good read, fast moving, engrossing, and at times captivating. The action they infuse into the story is swift and they really know how to ramp up the tension. They also make it very hard not to fall in love with their characters, whether they are good or evil. The read is well worth the time, and I am glad I got to take the journey.
Here is the synopsis:
“THE WOLVES ALWAYS DEVOUR THE SHEEP
After the tragic death of her parents, Eva Lange must battle for her freedom; indeed, her very life. Fleeing her aunt's abuser, she falls prey to a murderous drug lord and his wife in their luxurious lair of lust. Using her wits, beauty, and sexuality to save herself and break the bonds of captivity and degradation, Eva struggles against corruption and powerful political forces to reclaim her independence and save the life of the man she loves. “

HW Gruchow “Unforeseen Fears”

I am a sucker for a good mystery, especially one that contains the necessary elements. What is that for me: A good crime to solve, characters that mesh, a few twists and turns, fooling me and not allowing me to figure out the culprit or culprits in the first few pages, some nice swift action, and some witty dialogue. I probably left out a few things, but all that and more is contained in this novel. Not too bad. I suggest the read, enjoy it, and go for a ride that will provide you with some nice entertainment.
Here is the synopsis:
“They played games with murders; harmless games, it seemed, piecing together details from news reports; imagining theories about how and why; and wagering each other on the outcomes.
The Dunwright murders were tragic: Dillon and Martha were killed, and Brianne was missing. Still, like the others, this game wasn't supposed to be serious. But was it an execution or a kidnapping? And why was so little progress being made toward solving the case? Their curiosities fired up, Armis and Jake broke the rules and did their own sleuthing. If the investigation was being subverted, who was doing it, and why?
The mystery deepened when nine-year-old Brianne's dismembered remains were discovered weeks later and miles away-and Armis' quest for her killer became an obsession.
Yet, through encounters with corrupt lawmen, malevolent executives, and reticent family members, Armis was unable to find the answers he needed; until he met the mysterious Malwina. She insidiously drew him into her plan of personal vengeance, and closer to learning the reasons Brianne had to die. But as they intruded into a world where the bad guys seldom lose, the game turned dangerous...and deadly.”

T. Thomas Akerman “The SafeHouse”

I am going to be posting on some self- published novels for the next few posts. For some reason I like to do them in clusters. T.Thomas Akerman has produced a very moving, intense , and passion filled narrative in “The Safehouse”. This is one of the elements I look for in a work like this, the author’s raw emotions; it is one of my favorite things about self –published work. I enjoy the fact that I am enjoying not only his point of view, but it is an undistilled version of it. No one is trying to push him into a peg hole, no one is trying to edit it into oblivion; there is no change in his message, and it is delivered to me fresh.
“The Safehouse” pushes all the right buttons, tweaks raw emotions, and then challenges us as readers to become invested in this universe, to be drawn into it. What more could one ask for in a read?
Here is the synopsis:
“When There Is No Safety
Every nine seconds, a woman becomes a victim of domestic violence in the United States. The laws don't do enough to protect these women and their children from the abuse, which will always escalate. Detective Jessica Warren understands all too well how vulnerable women are in abusive relationships. And she's not going to stand by and watch as innocent victims are injured, or worse. The Safehouse is the story of Jessie Warren and the closely knit network of powerful women who aren't willing to allow abusive men to hide behind inadequate laws. It's the story of the victims she helps, some of whom learn to break out of the patterns holding them trapped. And it's the story of how Jessie navigates the police system with pragmatism, intelligence, and heart to extend a helping hand to women in need. But with all the time and emotional energy she spends helping others, will she be able to maintain her own life balance? And will she be able to outsmart the one member of the police force who doesn't approve of her unorthodox methods? True to life and riveting, The Safehouse will take you on a compelling journey to justice. The author is donating 25% of royalties from this book to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “

Part 2 David Hoof , "Elements of a Great Horror Story"

13. Each character with his own shape, style, mannerism and speech. We should be able to identify each if we hear their voice coming out of the darkness. It’s best if each character has his or her own ‘range’ – the way they would speak, even under stress – for example, Jaws as horror has Richard Dreyfus, on being the first and only one on the boat to see the shark, relays to the others in the cabin: “We’re going to need a bigger boat.” In the Roy Scheider character’s role, this moment would have been met by a shocked silence. So each encounter of a character with a turning point has a character-specific reaction.

14. (+) Avoid the predictable tip-toeing, questioning, freezing, thawing, running and getting killed that ruin all other low-budget horror by varying the pace with false scares (a set up with a character looking in a bathroom mirror, hearing a typically ‘scary’ sound, turning with a quick breath and finding a friendly character might invoke, “You scared the shit out of me,” followed by “At least you’re in the right place.”

15. (+) Artfully delivered humor. Some real people and characters use laughter and humor as devices for defusing tension, and Dawn Gilliam is one. Even if her humor seems ‘unrealistic’, it is her method of coping, and humor is a wonderful device to punctuate horror, which otherwise can be monotonic and predictable, leading to a story that’s too heavy. Humor is particularly useful to get a too-serious character (Max) to lighten up. It’s a fundamental form of human connection, and it would be a mistake to make any film without it.

16. (+) An intricate connection of set-ups and pay-offs aligned to causally connect characters’ choices with consequences. A fair implicit promise in the fist scene that then wraps around the sundry characters like a octupus’ legs, holding them all in because they’ve made a choice to play in the octupus’ territory.

17. (+) The usual actions and reactions that interconnected characters have that do not relate to rational motives but exhibit character traits that define them: political behaviors typical of hierarchies, sarcasm, sadism, etc. At best the characters aren’t stick men walking through rigid nonsensical plot points, but men and woman pushed and pulled by emotions, fears, fatigue, etc.

18. Characters who become fully dimensional by reacting dramatically to situations that continually build the plot. This means avoiding any protracted cuts away from danger to ‘learn who this character is and why we should like them.’ Characters will define themselves by action. It’s okay to have bios, but ultimately each character will be himself or herself. We believe them because they act out their identities, and we believe the ‘unmasked’ character because of the way that he or she acts under stress. So in reality there are two characters within each character: the one that operates in socially convenient circumstances, using social levers to manipulate, and the one who acts or reacts to crises, where the normal pace and convenience of everyday life is swept away.

19. (+) A consistently conjured image system that serves to advance the story and define the characters. One in Landfill would be sunset, night, morning. Another we’ve discussed would be fire, ice and the tardigrade. The utility of such images is that they work on a primal level, and powerfully amplify an audience reaction in a way that doesn’t need to be ‘earned’ dramatically. We’re using ancient feelings in service to our intents.

20. (+) Horror always demands an ending that either says, ‘Evil has Triumphed,’ or that ‘Evil will answer the bell for the Second Round,’ So the escape of a few of the mutants serve well.

21. (+) An Apocalyptic ending, fairly foreshadowed by your suggested lab scene with the tardigrade, which works in a set-up/pay-off relationship with the attempt to incinerate the mutants at the end.

22. Near the end, when you’re feeling terribly pleased with yourself, step back and take out the highlighter. On each page of the script that is written, you should have a different color for an action or dialogue that’s either (a) creepy; (b) scary; (a) ominous; (b) suspenseful; (c) horrific. If what’s written has none of these things, cut until you get at least one on the page. Because if not, it means that you’ve gone a whole minute of screen time in some tone that doesn’t support your promise to the viewers.

23. (+++!) In working for an eco-horror story, we are as much creating a niche as Tom Clancy did for technothrillers. To make it compelling, we need to stick close to what is really happening with environmental mutations, extending only a little into the realm of what could happen. Basically, past chemical dumping and the resulting mutations have laid the groundwork for us, just as the energy crisis has force consideration of mining methane from dumps. The beauty of carving out a niche is taking the ‘competition’ completely by surprise. This is why it’s good to have a second idea in mind after the first one goes into production. Until someone knocks you out of your niche, you’re the ‘go to’ team.

24. (+) Fidelity to the real world as it is, with all its warts and inefficencies; we cannot invent a ‘world of convenience’ with its occupants tailored for solving t he problems arising from the plot; that’s TV..

25. (+) A damn near perfect incorporation of scientific realities into t he story, making it scarier after leaving the theater than during the movie.

Richard Bard, author of "Brainrush", Guest Post

Two months ago my debut thriller “BRAINRUSH, a Thriller” was sitting in a drawer. A few weeks later it was ranked #315 overall on Amazon and #18 on the Action/Adventure bestseller list. Without the Kindle, Nook, and other eReaders that would have been impossible.
So how did it happen? Let me start with some background.
I finished Book-1 of the series 18-months ago. It wasn’t ready to publish yet—I needed advance reader feedback first. So I uploaded it to Authonomy.com (a Harper Collins site) and received hundreds of comments that helped strengthen the manuscript. The book garnered a lot attention and in a few months it climbed to the #1 slot on the site (out of 9,000 books). I also entered it into the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards contest. BRAINRUSH made the semi-finals and as an award the book received a formal review by Publishers Weekly. The review was outstanding. I was thrilled. I landed an agent, signed a film option and started work on Book-2.
But traditional publishers still weren’t pounding on the door. Weeks rolled into months and the 2011 entry period for the ABNA opened up. I entered again, made the semi-finals and was awarded a second review by Publishers Weekly. This time they called it “a terrifically entertaining thriller.” Wow! My agent and I agreed it was time to get the book in the hands of the public, even if it meant going it alone. We figured that within the 12-15 months that a traditional publisher would require to publish Book-1, we could release the first three books in the series.
Of course “going it alone” meant a lot more than simply uploading a book. It meant coming up with a campaign to support the launch. After all, not advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark; you know what you’re doing, but nobody else does…
I believed in BRAINRUSH. So figured if I could just make it “discoverable” then readers would spread the word. A lot of folks recommend offering the book for free. But I struggled with that approach. I felt as though it might diminish the value of the book in the long run. So instead of dropping the price to zero I decided it would be better to give gifts to anyone who paid the $2.99 cover price. I checked around. Nobody had ever done anything like that before. Good—it was an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. As far as the gift choice—from a reader’s POV what could be better than a selection from the bestseller list? So I got permission from three top bestselling authors—CJ Lyons, Michael Prescott, and Rick Murcer—and started gifting their books under a special promotion called “FEEL THE RUSH! Buy-1 Get-2 Free”. (The promotion has since been expanded to include over a dozen top-rated books—several of them at the top of the NYT Bestseller list.) Readers loved it. BRAINRUSH sales jumped and people started talking about it. Best of all, hundreds of them emailed me after reading the book—and the response was positive. In fact, as of October 5th the book has received 63 (out of 77) 5-Star reviews, making it the #7“Top Rated” Mystery & Thriller on Amazon. Many readers said they couldn’t put it down—including celebrity singer/songwriter David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash, who wrote to tell me he finished it in two sittings and that he “loved, love, LOVED it”. And he wasn’t kidding; he even gave a shout-out at the MUSE benefit concert at the Shoreline Pavilion in San Francisco last month, with the likes of Jackson Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz and a bunch of others on the scene. Now that’s a brain-rush!
To be honest I’m totally blown away by the enthusiasm from readers. Sure, I talk a good game about “believing” in my book, but a hidden part of me is astounded every time someone is moved by Jake’s story. What an incredible feeling for this new author.
Happy reading!
Richard
About the Author: As a young pilot in the Air Force, Richard Bard learned he had only months to live. Thirty six years later he’s still going strong. In BRAINRUSH he adds drama and adventure to his personal experiences in what Publishers Weekly describes as “an inventive and compelling hybrid of science fiction, adventure and political thriller that is terrifically entertaining.” Book-2 of the series will be released in December.

Part 1 David Hoof , "Elements of a Great Horror Story"

David Hoof is the author of “Sharpshooter” and the soon to be released full length horror novel “Landfill”. He was nice enough to give us his thoughts on what makes a great story. After all this is the “Harbinger of Horror”


REQUIREMENTS OF GOOD HORROR

(+ ) where Landfill has this where other horror films don’t or where this feature in Landfill exceeds or surpasses its use in most other horror films.

1. (+) An opening that dramatizes immediately and in graphic terms that the horror has just begun, even if its initial victim is a ‘throw away.’ While explicit in gore, the scene should be at best incomplete in its visualization of the evil, or monster, or horrific force defining the emerging problem.

2. (+) A continual sense (tone) of disturbance, even when there is no explicitly dramatized reason for it, a projection by actors and soundtrack that something is increasingly wrong, even when this conclusion might seem – rationally – indefensible.

3. A compelling and artfully arranged soundtrack, down to every element (e.g. drops of water) as if terror were lurking in every sound, even the innocent ones.

4. Well-developed, compelling, if flawed characters, each credibly motivated, each with his or her own agenda, each with outer and inner conflicts, none able to escape the trap imposed by the initial set of circumstances.

5. (+) A sympathetic and empathetic protagonist whose inner conflict is inextricably wedded to his or her situation, so that he or she has to solve the inner conflict in order to even confront the outer conflict.

6. (+) Dramatic events that isolate the protagonist from allies and opportunities to confront the horrible threat early, before it becomes all but overwhelming. At best there should be a near-ostracization by former allies.

7. (++) Active adversaries of several kinds, none of them trivial, working against the protagonists and, at best, wanting him or her dead.

8. (+) At least one dramatic signal that the antagonists are overplaying their hand, that the devil they had courted has left them with a monster that has slipped its leash, or with a ‘control plan’ thoroughly inadequate to the rising crisis.

9. Lots of victims, but all of their demises related either to their own motivations or encounters with the ‘horror’ or both, hopefully in a conjunction of set-ups where the encounter is skillfully foreshadowed.

10. Few enough complexities that the plot line is easy to follow.

11. (+) Sufficient enough complexities so that the dramatic trajectory is not easily predictable.

12. Dialogue that satisfies the ‘once through’ criteria, meaning that only occasionally does it exceed three lines, and often goes no more than one line. One word responses, esp. at moments of shock, are almost obligatory.

Pat Lawrence Guest Post

Guest Post from Pat Lawrence author of Jarred Into Being

‘Pat Lawrence’ is part of the fiction. ‘Pat Lawrence’ is a pseudonym for our husband and wife writing team of PAT Adsit Burke and Daniel LAWRENCE Burke.

People often ask us, “How do you do that? How do you collaborate?”
• Do you each write a draft and then combine them?
• Do you write alternating chapters?
• Does one of you write the descriptions and the other write the dialogue?
• Do you sit and write every word together?
The answers to these questions are: Not really, No, No, and Definitely Not.

Collaborative writing is like riding a tandem bicycle: one author steers, but both authors provide the energy to move, watch to avoid the hazards, agree on which direction to turn, and settle on the final destination.

Our novel collaborations begin with agreement on a single idea that serves as the overarching theme of the entire work. That theme for Jarred Into Being was that each individual life is profoundly influenced by the lives which intersect and surround it. Next, we agree on the major plot elements that need to occur to craft an interesting story that will illustrate that theme. In Jarred, a young girl’s loss of her parents places her in great peril because the characters now intersecting and surrounding her life want to possess her rather than protect her. The conflict in the novel arises out of the fact that our main character, Eva, is unwavering in her determination not to be possessed, and she continually battles for independence and freedom from the powerful and corrupt forces who would dominate her.

After that, draft one begins in earnest. We create the incidents and the characters which dramatize the main character’s plight. One of us (the partner who steers the bike to continue the analogy above) writes sections—maybe a chapter, maybe several—and submits those to the other partner. That partner reads, edits, searches for flaws, plot failures, and adds suggestions for additions or deletions and returns the sections to the other partner who incorporates the suggestions into the ongoing manuscript. That process continues section by section until we reach what we agree is a satisfying conclusion to the book.

For draft two, we separately read and revise the entire work from beginning to end, and then we each submit our suggested revisions to the other for consideration. Finally, in draft three, we collaborate and discuss all the suggested revisions we have both made and ultimately agree on what emerges as our final version.

This collaboration process works well for us. We enjoy it, and we agree on the most important aspect of writing: always make it interesting. In fact, throughout the entire process we constantly challenge ourselves and each other by asking: “Is that last sentence, paragraph, chapter compelling enough to capture and hold the reader’s interest?” The answer MUST BE “yes.” If the answer is “maybe” we immediately employ our ironclad rule: rewrite.

Ultimately, we both have learned that the two most important words in a husband-wife collaborative writing team are—“Yes, dear.” Happy reading.